Indian Tribes Gave Record Amount

Posted March 1, 2013 at 2:00pm

Indian tribes gave $17.2 million in contributions to federal candidates and committees during the 2011-2012 cycle. This is $4.8 million more than the $12.4 million they gave in the 2009-2010 cycle. In the 2007-2008 presidential cycle they gave $13.1 million. In 2003-2004 they gave $11 million. View multiple-cycle chart and rankings of Indian tribe contributions.

In the 2012 presidential race Barack Obama received $2.9 million from Indian tribes (up from the $316,600 he received in 2007-2008).

Here are the top ten Indian tribes giving in the 2011-2012 cycle:

Chickasaw Nation (OK) $1,349,400 (up from $1,185,651 in 2009-2010).

Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians (CA) $899,600 (up from $588,792).

San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians (CA) $806,600 (up from $691,700).

Poarch Band of Creek Indians (AL) $760,500 (up from 682,400).

Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians (CA) $717,666 (up from $610,700).

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (MN) $681,654 ( up from $176,800).

Yocha Dehe Wuntun Nation (CA) $659,700 (up from $357,400).

Choctaw Nation (OK) $638,300 (up from $306,449).

Gila River Indian Community (CA) $590,390 (up from $320,356).

Sycuan Band of Diegueno Mission Indians (CA) $546,207 (up from $363,468).

Indian tribes spent $47,009,824 on lobbying in the 2011-2012 cycle, up 8% from the $43,356,952 they spent in the 2009-2010 cycle. The top spender on lobbying in the 2011-2012 cycle was the Gila River Indian Community. They spent $3,690,000. View Indian tribe lobbying figures and reports for 2012.