Crow Tribe Chairman Condemns Tim Sheehy’s Offensive Comments about Native Americans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
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Crow Tribe Chairman: “Tim is out of touch with Indian Country and out of touch with Montana tribes’”
Helena, MT – Crow Tribe Chairman Frank White Clay condemned Tim Sheehy’s offensive comments about Native Americans in a new statement, calling Sheehy’s remarks “highly unprofessional,” “unacceptable,” “degrading” and “disparaging.”
Char-Koosta News first reported on Sheehy’s comments. At a campaign event, Sheehy referenced a recent reservation visit as “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8:00 A.M.,” and mimicked Native voices calling him “white boy.”
Here’s what Montanans are learning about Chairman White Clay’s reaction to Sheehy’s disturbing comments:
NonStop Local, September 11, 2024
NBC Montana: Crow Tribe Chairman responds to Sheehy racial remark
September 10, 2024
Bowen West
Crow Tribe Chairman, Frank White Clay, released a letter on Sunday addressing comments made by millionaire businessman, military veteran and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy.
“Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Tim Sheehy has made very disparaging and degrading remarks about his time with Turk Stovall and ‘Crow Indians,’ White Clay said in his letter. “turk Stovall is not an enrolled Crow Tribal member. Tim Sheehy does not lease Crow Tribal Land. As a candidate seeking office in the United States Senate, Sheehy’s statements surrounding Native Americans are highly unprofessional.”
Sheehy has not responded to NBC Montana’s multiple requests for a comment.
In White Clay’s letter, he said the Crow Tribe of Indians don’t condone nor support the racial sediment. He added that Sheehy making light of the cultural Crow Parade, which commemorates the Apsáalooke New Year.
“[Sheehy] is out of touch with Indian Country and out of touch with Montana Tribes,” White Clay said. “It is crucial for public figures to promote unity and respect for all communities, and such remarks undermine that goal.”
White Clay isn’t alone. Last week, the Montana American Indian Caucus and Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council urged apologies from Sheehy.
Helena Independent Record: Crow Tribal Chair breaks silence on 'deeply troubling' Sheehy comments
September 10, 2024
Nora Mabie
Crow Tribal Chairman Frank White Clay has broken his silence on U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy’s comments referencing Crow tribal members, saying the candidate's comments reflect "a discriminatory and racially prejudiced belief towards all Native Americans."
Sheehy’s comments have been widely condemned by tribal leaders across the state and nation.
In his Sept. 8 statement, White Clay called Sheehy's comments “disparaging,” “highly unprofessional,” “deeply troubling” and “unacceptable.”
White Clay's comments are especially noteworthy considering that of the 12 tribes in Montana, the Crow Tribe is the only one to consistently endorse Republican candidates.
White Clay added that Stovall, Sheehy's ranching partner, is not an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe and said Sheehy does not lease Crow Tribal land.
Daily Montanan: Crow chairman said Sheehy's racist remarks disrespect tribe, perpetuate stereotypes
September 10, 2024
Keila Szpaller
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy’s disparaging remarks about the Crow Tribe reflect a discriminatory and racially prejudiced belief about all Native Americans, and they are “highly unprofessional,” said Crow Tribe of Indians Chairman Frank Whiteclay in a Sept. 8 letter.
“It is crucial for public figures to promote unity and respect for all communities, and such remarks undermine that goal,” Whiteclay said in the letter.
Sheehy does not appear to have issued a public apology for his earlier remarks, and a spokesperson for Sheehy’s campaign did not respond to an email sent late Tuesday afternoon.
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