http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8589

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.’’