Targeting Native Americans

Is Missouri's U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill so out of touch with reality that she thinks she can target American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians because we have found some measure of success in government contracting? Alaska Natives do not have the ability to have casinos because of their remote locations. Government contracting is our way to work -- let me emphasize, work -- out of poverty.

My Alaska Native region is where the Exxon Valdez dumped millions of gallons of oil. We were in the cannery business. We went bankrupt. Government contracting gave us the tools to work with pride and retain control of our land.

In our country's history when our American Indian brothers and sisters were put on reservations, if something of value was found on the reservations -- or colonists wanted to claim their piece of the land pie -- treaties were broken and our Indigenous relatives were sent on a trail of tears. It is no different now. Our people have discovered economic value in government contracting. Senator McCaskill would have us sent back into poverty.

The Native 8(a) program not only works, but it works well. We are not asking for a bigger piece of the pie. We partner with other small and disadvantaged businesses. McCaskill should not only do her homework, but she should not grandstand at the expense of our original and most patriotic Americans, the American Indian people.

BRENDA DUKART, Colorado Springs, Colo.