Palin's Rural Advisor Quits Amid Criticism Over Lack of Native Representation in Administration

Gov. Sarah Palin’s Rural Advisor quit Monday, saying the role would be better filled by an Alaska Native, Associated Press reported. In an e-mail to Alaska Native leaders, Rhonda McBride said, “In all honesty, I have never felt authentic in my role.” Alaska Native leaders have said that Palin neglected them when she made appointments after becoming governor. Alaska Natives are 20 percent of the state’s population. Palin, now the Republican vice-presidential nominee, has two Alaska Natives in her cabinet and her husband Todd is part Yup’ik Eskimo. However, she has been criticized for appointing white people to positions previously held by Alaska Natives and for appearing to tolerate bigoted remarks about Alaska Natives from some of her appointees.