Congressional candidate Denise Juneau was in Pablo Tuesday to kick off a month-long campaign tour of Montana’s seven Indian reservations.
Juneau said her visit to the Flathead Reservation was as much about talking to potential voters as it was about sending a strong message that their vote counts.
“You know there is power in the native vote and I think that realization is coming to fruition in these communities,” Juneau said.
Juneau stopped at a community dinner in Pablo. She plans to visit every reservation in Montana, as well as with members of the Little Shell Tribe who don't have a reservation, but have concentrated populations near Great Falls and Helena.
Juneau received a rare endorsement from the Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council on Tuesday. Tribal chairman Vernon Finley spoke at the dinner. He said it isn’t common for the tribe to endorse political candidates but for Juneau they made an exception.
“She’s a viable candidate and she represents all of the issues that we find important,” Finley said.
A Democrat from Browning, Juneau said she will continue to ask for tribal endorsements as she continues her reservation tour. She's challenging incumbent Republican Ryan Zinke. If elected Juneau would be the nation’s first Native American congresswoman.