The statewide election for superintendent of public instruction pits Elaine Sollie Herman, a Republican, against Denise Juneau, a Democrat and enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes.
Herman has been criticized for a recent Internet message posted under her name on the Web site MeetUp.com, which encourages people to abandon their computer keyboards and meet face-to-face on interests ranging from knitting and independent films to political views.
“I am in MT running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. I am asking for HELP from young concervative (sic) Bloggers. My web site is: electelainesollieherman.com. ‘I live in the ‘Peoples Republic of Helena.' My opposition is a young Indian.”
Herman said the Web page is not hers.
“That was my daughter who wrote that - she lives in Seattle,” said Herman. “I didn't do it. I had nothing to do with it. I am not a young girl looking for meet-ups in Puyallup.”
Herman's Web site lists one child, a daughter born in 1976.
“It's not appropriate to bring up my daughter in this campaign,” she said. “If you bring my daughter into this election, I will really, really be upset. No one wants their daughter brought into an election for dirty campaigning.”
Craig Wilson, a Montana State University-Billings political science professor, disagreed.
“When families become directly involved in politics - and then admit that they do - then it's fair game,” Wilson said. “You have to explain the posting since it's related to your campaign. The buck stops there and you have to deal with it.”
Some liberal political blogs posted comments regarding the MeetUp.com site, including:
Left in the West: “Help! The young Indians are coming.”
Indn's List, Indigenous Democratic Network: “A young Indian - Republican says that's a bad thing.”
The Daily Kos: “We'd object if McCain said ‘Contribute to my campaign. I'm running against a young black man,' and we should object to Herman's words, too.”
Herman said she doesn't understand the negative reaction.
“Whoever is bringing an issue to it must be a racist, in themselves, to be saying that ‘Indian' is a problem, you know?” she said. “There is Indian education. And my opponent is an Indian. You could write, ‘old black,' or ‘old white lady.' I am old. And I am white.”
Juneau said the election isn't about her Native heritage, but an issue of “who's qualified and experienced to lead Montana's education system into the future. To draw those lines based on race is disappointing. If people look beyond that and are able to compare the candidates on who is best able to lead the Office of Public Instruction, there would be no question on who that candidate would be.”
Juneau is the only Native person competing in a statewide race in Montana. If elected, she would be the first Native woman in the country to win a statewide election.
She claimed 37 percent of the vote in a competitive, four-way race in the Democratic primary to face her opponents in the superintendent's race - Herman, who ran unopposed, and Libertarian Donald Eisenmenger.
Meanwhile, a conservative radio show has also buzzed with the issue of race in the state superintendent election. On Friday, Dave Rye, a talk show host on the Northern News Network, said Juneau wasn't qualified for the office because she was a “professional Indian.”
He discussed the issue with a caller who said she was from from Helena, a woman who described herself as “terrified” at the thought of Juneau becoming state superintendent, mainly because of Juneau's experience in working with Native students.
“I don't know how to say this without sounding prejudiced, 'cause I'm not, but the reservations have a dropout rate of 76 percent,” said the woman. (OPI statistics show a 7 percent dropout rate among Native students last year.)
Rye replied: “Denise Juneau's entire career has been spent in Indian education, not that there is anything wrong with that, per se, except when you want to become superintendent of public instruction.”
He said he's blogged about Juneau's candidacy.
“I used the phrase, that as much as she's an educator, she's a professional Indian, in the same sense that Jesse Jackson is a professional black guy. ... By the same token, Denise Juneau is a specialist in Indian education.”
Said the caller: “I was appalled when the Billings Gazette endorsed Juneau over Herman. They said she had more experience.”
Herman has a bachelor's degree in education from Montana State University, and studied toward a master's degree at other institutions. She taught elementary school in Washington state, California and Guam in the late 1960s and early '70s, and in Head Start's Home Start program in Helena from 1974-1975.
Juneau earned a master's degree from Harvard University, a law degree from the University of Montana, clerked for the Montana Supreme Court, taught high school students, worked in a law firm and now leads the Indian education department at the Office of Public Instruction.
The state has a constitutional mandate to educate all students in kindergarten through 12th grade about the historical and contemporary lives of Native people, a mandate reinforced by the state Legislature's Indian Education for All Act.
“Indian Education for All is an important state educational policy,” said Jim Lopach, a political science professor at the University of Montana. “It's not the only state educational policy or priority. By working at OPI, Denise Juneau has gained a lot of knowledge and experience concerning the general working of the agency.”
Reporter Jodi Rave can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at jodi.rave@lee.net.
Listen to the discussion on Dave Rye's talk show
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Jackie Trotchie wrote on Oct 29, 2008 10:05 AM:
" When I went to college, I studied many different subjects but can't remember a one of them called "Indian Educators only". If a teacher wants to teach; they take all the course work everyone else does. But when they want to specialize in a specific area, that's their choice. There are teachers who enjoy teaching only college students, elementary students, special education students or History. Are any of these educators any less qualified because of their heritage. Anyone whose political platform is based on race is not an educator and certainly not qualified to hold the position of Superintendent of PUBLIC instruction. "
Gilly wrote on Oct 29, 2008 11:24 AM:
" This is shockingly bigoted .....and nearly enough to make me embarrassed to be a Montanan! Ms. Herman apparently is a "professional white person," and not in a good way. I would be terrified to have her at the helm of Montana's educational system. "
Val wrote on Oct 29, 2008 11:33 AM:
" Denise Juneau has been both a teacher and a lawyer. She is a productg of Montana's education system. She returned to her first love -- education -- after working briefly in the field of law. I am offended by Rye's comments. What's wrong with being an Indian professional? Do you have any idea how hard Native people have to work to become professionals in any field? I'm proud of her.
Denise Juneau is clearly the most qualified and fair candidate for the job. "
Denise Juneau is clearly the most qualified and fair candidate for the job. "
Troy M. Woodward wrote on Oct 29, 2008 12:04 PM:
" Juneau: M.A.-Harvard
J.D. UofM
taught high school students
Now leads the Indian education department at the Office of Public Instruction.
Herman: B.A. education--MSU
taught elementary school in WA,CA and Guam in the late 1960s and early '70s, and in Head Start's Home Start program in Helena from 1974-1975.
Based on qualifications (lots more education), I'd vote for Juneau any day over Herman.
The fact that Juneau is Indian should have no relevance to the question. Her background in Indian education will be a definite asset as she seeks to implement the mandate of the legislature. "
J.D. UofM
taught high school students
Now leads the Indian education department at the Office of Public Instruction.
Herman: B.A. education--MSU
taught elementary school in WA,CA and Guam in the late 1960s and early '70s, and in Head Start's Home Start program in Helena from 1974-1975.
Based on qualifications (lots more education), I'd vote for Juneau any day over Herman.
The fact that Juneau is Indian should have no relevance to the question. Her background in Indian education will be a definite asset as she seeks to implement the mandate of the legislature. "
julia runs like th wind wrote on Oct 29, 2008 1:24 PM:
" This is such a non issue. Let's run races based of platforms, not race. If you want to compare the two, Juneau wants to continue to give our kids a "second-rate education" (from her boss) with lots more money and focus on Indian education and Herman wants to give the kids a world class education focusing on the skills they will need to go out and make a difference in the world. This reporter is overtly biased against white women. "
Donna Hyora wrote on Oct 29, 2008 4:55 PM:
" Denise Juneau is the hands-down choice for Superintendent of Public Instruction based on her qualifications of working in the trenches BOTH as a teacher AND in the Montana legal system within the Montana Office of Public Instruction as well as in the Supreme Court. Her education credentials speak for themselves: Masters in Ed from Harvard and UM law degree.
Add Juneau's proven experience working with diverse groups and it's clear why I voted for Denise Juneau to champion our students and teachers. Montanans are lucky to have such a high caliber candidate! "
Add Juneau's proven experience working with diverse groups and it's clear why I voted for Denise Juneau to champion our students and teachers. Montanans are lucky to have such a high caliber candidate! "
JR wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:19 PM:
" That settles it then. One more vote here for Juneau. Didn't really know much about this race until now. Thanks, Missoulian for telling me all I need to know. "
SAS wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:40 PM:
" Denise Juneau earned her BA from MSU in EDUCATION. She earned her Master’s from Harvard in EDUCATION. She earned a law degree from UM to become a stronger advocate for public EDUCATION. She taught English to Indian and non-Indian students as an EDUCATOR. As an educator, attorney, and division director with OPI, through it all, Denise has worked tirelessly for the EDUCATION of ALL Montana students, Indian and non-Indian alike. What has Elaine Herman done for the public education of Montana's students??? PS - Ms. Runs Like The Wind, you are a racist. "
Allen wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:22 AM:
" Noting the problems of spelling and such on Herman's website, she probably wrote this as well. "
LBG wrote on Oct 30, 2008 5:40 AM:
" The sad irony is there is any debate at all about Race (in this negative manner)in a an election for State Supt. Of Pub. Inst.
Education is touted as the great American Dream equalizer. Education is supposed help knock down the walls of misconception and replace them with bridges of understanding and cooperation.
Unlike the adversarial training for would be lawyers - educational professionals are taught to help build bridges of understanding and cooperation between diverse populations.
Now, tell me who would you rather have leading the 21st Century direction of the State's educaitonal future - someone with litigious, divisive and last Century inclinations or someone who has an established career as one of Montana's outstanding and leading educators?
You decide... "
Education is touted as the great American Dream equalizer. Education is supposed help knock down the walls of misconception and replace them with bridges of understanding and cooperation.
Unlike the adversarial training for would be lawyers - educational professionals are taught to help build bridges of understanding and cooperation between diverse populations.
Now, tell me who would you rather have leading the 21st Century direction of the State's educaitonal future - someone with litigious, divisive and last Century inclinations or someone who has an established career as one of Montana's outstanding and leading educators?
You decide... "
W. TS wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:20 PM:
" Juneau is clearly committed to EDUCATION. Overall, JUNEAU has more education and experience AND has been working with ALL areas in EDUCATION, not just in one field or age group.
RACE is not the issue here. If we must address it, the term: "Professional Indian" includes a Harvard Master's of Ed Degree, UM Law Degree, and currently a head of division @ OPI. Look at 'White Priveleges' and the lengths a successful Native American goes through to get to such a standing. WOW. Compare that to a Headstart/ Elementary teacher. "
RACE is not the issue here. If we must address it, the term: "Professional Indian" includes a Harvard Master's of Ed Degree, UM Law Degree, and currently a head of division @ OPI. Look at 'White Priveleges' and the lengths a successful Native American goes through to get to such a standing. WOW. Compare that to a Headstart/ Elementary teacher. "
Glenn wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:03 PM:
" The comments following this artical are an idication of how well hate is being taught and passed on generation to generation. Jodi you report someone racist who qualifies Juneau as a young Indidan and in the next breath YOU report her outstanding feature is being the only Indian in the USA running for a State Office. You need to explain that? Can you not hear yourself speak or read what you write? Take the log out of your own eye before you call someone a racist. Playing the race card in a desperate attempt to win a political race only feeds your inferiority complex. "
Chris D wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:24 AM:
" I am a Native American Woman, it never occured to me to vote for a candidate based on their race. When voting I choose who I think is best qualified and will do a good job for all people. Herman should study the term "Indian" when using this term, because Indians are from India, we are Native Americans from the North American continent or the Indigenous people of North America. Elaine Herman's attitude and feelings about any race is exactly why we need a changing of the gaurd so that we can move into the 21st century as united people of all race. Denise Juneau would definitely be a breath of fresh air for the Superintedent of Public Instruction her education credentials speak for themselves. "
Jes wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:08 AM:
" Glenn wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:03 PM:
" The comments following this artical are an indication of how well hate is being taught and passed on generation to generation. Jodi you report someone racist who qualifies Juneau as a young Indian and in the next breath YOU report her outstanding feature is being the only Indian in the USA running for a State Office. You need to explain that? Can you not hear yourself speak or read what you write? Take the log out of your own eye before you call someone a racist. Playing the race card in a desperate attempt to win a political race only feeds your inferiority complex. "
- I'm with you 200 percent - VERY GOOD POINT! I wondered the same thing as I read the article. Denise steps up to the bat to denounce "race" as a disapointing element, and then Jodi Rave holds up the Ethnicity Banner as if she didn't hear one word of what Denise is saying.
At this point I'm more ashamed of Jodi Rave than the situation itself. "
" The comments following this artical are an indication of how well hate is being taught and passed on generation to generation. Jodi you report someone racist who qualifies Juneau as a young Indian and in the next breath YOU report her outstanding feature is being the only Indian in the USA running for a State Office. You need to explain that? Can you not hear yourself speak or read what you write? Take the log out of your own eye before you call someone a racist. Playing the race card in a desperate attempt to win a political race only feeds your inferiority complex. "
- I'm with you 200 percent - VERY GOOD POINT! I wondered the same thing as I read the article. Denise steps up to the bat to denounce "race" as a disapointing element, and then Jodi Rave holds up the Ethnicity Banner as if she didn't hear one word of what Denise is saying.
At this point I'm more ashamed of Jodi Rave than the situation itself. "
fawn wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:40 AM: