Politicians are ignorant too

Only 'skin in the House

Ariz. state Rep. Tom balances diverse populations, issuesHe's seen a lot in his long career in tribal and state politics, but the only Native American in the Arizona House of Representatives is still sometimes shocked by how little non-Native Arizonans seem to know or care about Natives.

"There are 22 federally recognized tribes in this state, and you run into people all the time who have never been on a reservation," asserted Rep. Albert Tom of Klagetoh, who has represented District 2 for six years. "Even one of my colleagues said to me, 'I saw an Indian once. He was selling beads on the side of the road.'"