Scott Ratliff

Last updated
Scotty Ratliff
Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
In office
1980–1992
Personal details
Born (1943-01-19) January 19, 1943 (age 81)
Fort Washakie, Wyoming, US
Political partyRepublican
SpouseSheri
Children3
Residence Wind River Indian Reservation
Professioncounselor

Scott J. Ratliff (born January 19, 1943) is an American politician in the state of Wyoming. An Eastern Shoshone, he is the first Native American to be elected to the Wyoming State Legislature and served as a Democrat for Fremont County, Wyoming from 1980 to 1992. [1] [2]

Ratliff was born in Fort Washakie, Wyoming in 1943, and attended Pavillion High School near his family's horse ranch north of Pavillion, Wyoming. [2] He earned degrees at Arapahoe Community College, Black Hills State College (1971) and the University of Wyoming (1973). Holding a master's degree in guidance and counseling, he worked at Eastern Wyoming College and Central Wyoming College. [1] [3] [4] He also served in the Vietnam War and was wounded in action. [5]

After serving as state representative, Ratliff was a member of the Wyoming State Council on Juvenile Justice, Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Board, Shoshone Economic Board, Wyoming State Board of Tribal Economics, and National Advisory Council on Indian Education. [2] He received a human rights award from the Wyoming Counseling Association in 1990. [6] Ratliff is married to Sheri and has three daughters. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 Barron, Joan (February 15, 1981). "Indian legislator tries to aid his tribe". Casper Star-Tribune. p. B6. Retrieved September 11, 2022. Lock-green.svg
  2. 1 2 3 Dennis, Yvonne Wakim; Hirschfelder, Arlene; Molin, Paulette F. (25 October 2022). Indigenous Firsts: A History of Native American Achievements and Events. Visible Ink Press. ISBN   9781578598069 via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 Kromkowski, John A. (September 11, 1993). Race and Ethnic Relations 93/94. Dushkin Publishing Group. ISBN   9781561342129 via Google Books.
  4. McDonald, Laughlin (October 20, 2014). American Indians and the Fight for Equal Voting Rights. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN   9780806186009 via Google Books.
  5. Trenholm, Virginia Cole (September 11, 1991). "Wyoming Blue Book: without special title". Wyoming State Archives, Department of Commerce via Google Books.
  6. "What's Your Why? Episode: Scotty Ratliff: Serving His Native Community, The Wind River Reservation". www.thinkwy.org.