Today: #akleg HD36 Republican candidate Leslie Becker was confronted by protesters at her event in Metlakatla, the state's only Native reservation — opponents outnumbered allies. A fiery afternoon. (THREAD)

"You're not welcome," the crowd of 30 or so chanted as she entered. Resident Johan Atkinson (who, full disclosure, helped me w/transportation) asked her not to hold the event in the Metlakatla Longhouse, a sacred space. Becker replied she was an invited guest of Met. Vets. Assn.

Becker has been under pressure from Native and non-Native people alike since offensive prayers surfaced from a now-deleted blog. Becker defended — even read aloud — the most offensive of the prayers. That was met with jeers. Background: https://www.krbd.org/2020/08/12/gop-house-hopeful-leslie-becker-says-she-understands-how-writings-may-have-offended-some-after-pulling-down-religious-blog/

Yep, she read it aloud. Including the part about "tying up the tongues" of those opposing "righteous progress," that mining and timber will bring Alaska Natives jobs, and that "hearts will be lifted from alcoholism, drugs and despair."
"There it is," one resident commented.

"Where is the word 'drunk?'" Becker replied. "There is nothing untrue in the state of Alaska about this," she said after some crosstalk.

"And if it's offended anyone, I'm certainly sorry about it, but there was certainly no intention other than to petition for opportunities for breakthrough and change, so we can work together to be able to bring forth prosperity to Alaska — all Alaskans," she told the crowd.

Some asked why she'd be a good representative when she'd blocked numerous prospective constituents on Facebook when the blog posts first surfaced. She said she didn't manage her social media.

Also notable: Becker came out against the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change in favor of a theory she called "climate variability": decades-long cycles. She said repeatedly, "I don't have a position on Pebble Mine," but said she supported mining in general.

The afternoon concluded with an apparently spontaneous performance from residents — a song written by Metlakatla resident Huk Tgini'itsga Xsgiik (Gavin Hudson) called "We Can Speak For Ourselves."

Full story at 6:49 a.m., 8:10 a.m. and 5:35 p.m. Monday on @KRBDRadio. Also on Monday's KRBD Evening Report podcast.

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