Native Times (February 8, 2007)

Rep. Butcher and INDN's List exchange words over comments made to Rep Windyboy

Liz Gray 2/8/2007

The Indigenous Democratic Network spoke out this week to their list of followers against what they called "racist and hurtful comments" made by Rep. Butcher of Montana toward Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy. Hundreds of letters were sent to the Representatives office, in which he responded in an "insensitive manner", according to an announcement sent out by INDN's List.

"You left-wing radicals should get a life with your "political correct"
nonsense! In case you have lived outside the mainstream for too long, the word "chief" is used as a descriptive term for someone in leadership--I have been called that on numerous occasions and I sure as heck did not see that as a racial slur since my Viking ancestors were also called "chief", said Rep. Butcher to the INDN's list followers.

The scuff between the two political entities started when Rep. Ed Butcher referred to Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy of Montana as "Chief Windy Boy" before a House Agriculture Committee last month. Butcher also later asked Windy Boy, who is Assiniboine and Cree, whether his large gavel qualified as a "war club."

He later was made to apologize on the House Floor and soon heard comments made by Rep. Margarett Campbell, D-Poplar, an American Indian lawmaker whose district includes Assiniboine and Sioux tribal members on the Fort Peck Reservation. In her brief speech she commented that she didn't believe ''the good people of Montana (wanted) the indigenous people of this state to be used as the butt of bad jokes and inappropriate comments.''

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PHOTO: Rep. Ed Butcher, R-Winifred, listens quietly as Rep. Margarett Campbell, D-Poplar, talks about how it is to be singled out because of her race. Rep. Butcher apologized to the members of the House for his inappropriate remarks to Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, during the House Agricultural Committee meeting on Thursday. George Lane / Helena Independent Record.

In Butcher's letter to INDN's List readers he accused Montana Democrats and INDN's List of politicizing the issue, "Jonathon Windy Boy and I are good friends and have worked together for three terms and I have nothing but the utmost respect for his ability as a legislator and as a person. Jonathon understood that I was complimenting him as I addressed him entering the room to take his seat beside me as head of the democrats (vice-chairman) in the Ag committee which I chair," said the Representative.

"Rep. Butcher knows that [it was racist], which is why he apologizes in public - on the House floor - while insulting and dismissing genuinely concerned citizens in the privacy of his emails," said Kalyn Free, president and founder of INDN's List. "We don't think he ought to have the privilege to deride others in private while publicly (and deceitfully) appearing to regret his remarks."

Free goes on to say that although Butcher dismisses his use of the word "chief" as a compliment by pointing to his Viking ancestry, his reference to Rep. Windy Boy's gavel as a "war club" shows that "this is just the latest in a pattern of racial insensitivity and disregard for the standards of others."

Rep. Butcher concludes his letter by asking for "some useful suggestions instead of this nonsense."

"In our email we called on the legislator to show the basic standards of decency common to the overwhelming majority," said Free. "What concerns me is that, we work so hard to get these people into these positions of power, after they get there they should be treated with the same respect and dignity as any other legislature should be."

Free believes sports mascots and their racial stereotyping has an effect on the larger body of politics. "INDN's List is offering a positive vision for America, one in which American Indians serve alongside other committed public servants who strive to build a better future for our families, and the families of all Americans. One in which our leaders join the democratic system to replace a legacy of hate, exploitation, and disenfranchisement with a prosperous Indian Country, and a prosperous America, full of hope and opportunity," said Free.

But Rep. Butcher doesn't appear worried about the issue, as he stated in his letter of response. "I do not worry about democrats and republicans since I was a democrat until 8 years ago and I have a lot of democrat voters as well as the republicans who send me here--I got over 60% of the vote in my district last election and they do not buy this mudslinging you people throw at me."