{"id":36066,"date":"2023-03-02T18:10:15","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T23:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/update-from-indian-caucus-montana-legislature\/"},"modified":"2023-03-02T18:10:16","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T23:10:16","slug":"update-from-indian-caucus-montana-legislature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/update-from-indian-caucus-montana-legislature\/","title":{"rendered":"Update from Indian Caucus, Montana Legislature"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tribal members serving in 2023 State Legislature:\u00a0 not in order:\u00a0 Sean Morigeau, Salish Kootenai (d); Sharon Peregoy, Crow (d); Susan Wells, Blackfeet (d); Jonathon Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree (d); Jason Small, Northern Cheyenne (r); Donovan Haek, Crow (d):\u00a0 Mike Fox, Gros-Ventre-Assiniboine (d):\u00a0 Tyson Running Wolf, Blackfeet (d).\u00a0 Not featured Marvin Weatherwax, Blackfeet (d) and Frank Smith, Assiniboine (d).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

HELENA, MT \u2013 \u00a0When this story is printed, the current bi-annual session of the Montana Legislature will reach mid-mark.\u00a0 That is when bills authorizing new laws can no longer be introduced.\u00a0 Revenue or appropriations bills, (money bills) on the other hand, can still be brought forward.<\/p>\n

Representative Jonathon Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree, told NSNT that he intends to introduce a revenue-related bill which could have far reaching impacts on Montana Indian Country, maybe even setting an example for other States with reservations.\u00a0 Many Federal programs such as SNAP, Medicare, commodities, etc. are passed through the State to Tribes.\u00a0 For that service, the State charges an administrative fee of 15% and often tacks on additional reporting requirements.<\/p>\n

Representative Windy Boy wants the State to provide a report about how much money is generated by administering these grant funds for Tribes in Montana.\u00a0 He has tried to get that information, but without a State law to that effect, that has not been possible. \u201cThey (the conservative Republicans) like to say that Indians are a \u201cdrain\u201d on State resources, but I think these programs allow the State to make a financial \u201cgain,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

In other good news, funding to continue the Montana Indian Economic Development Program (ICED) has been secured. Furthermore, Windy Boy reports the funding is no longer on a year-to-year basis but included as a permanent line-item in the State\u2019s base budget. \u201cThat means we will not have to fight to preserve the program each session, just quibble about how much money will be appropriated,\u201d he explained. \u201cNow it is a permanent program.\u201d<\/p>\n

That program provides grants to individual Indian entrepreneurs who are members of the eight Federally recognized Tribes in Montana.\u00a0 There have been some amazing Indian small business success stories because of that unique state initiative.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, a bill to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Day was immediately struck down by the Republican majority.\u00a0 \u201cThat sort of idea will never pass in Montana \u2013 very liberal idea.\u00a0 I do not identify as indigenous, which seems to be any brown person now living in America. I am a Chippewa-Cree, not Cuban, Mexican, Hawaiian or Creole. My ancestors were always here,\u201d Windy Boy noted. \u201cI would rather spend my energy and time on matters that bring in more money and support our basic rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

To that end, the Montana version of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is still alive.\u00a0 That bill was two years in development, spearheaded by Windy Boy who collaborated with the University of Montana, Indian Law Clinic to develop it. Windy Boy explained that a current case before the US Supreme Court could undermine the national ICWA, just as this Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade (Abortion Rights). \u00a0<\/p>\n

The Indian Child Welfare Act is before the country\u2019s highest court yet again. In November the Supreme Court\u00a0heard oral arguments<\/a>\u00a0in the case Haaland v. Brackeen, another legal action about who gets precedence when it comes to adopting Native children. Basically, a non-Indian couple is asserting their right to keep an Indian child adopted in violation of ICWA standards. \u201cIt is a tricky case and under this Supreme Court, they might win,\u201d he speculated. \u201cThat would be very bad for all Tribes in America.\u201d<\/p>\n

What does the Indian Child Welfare Act really do? And if the Court strikes it down, what could that mean for tribal law, and for Native Americans?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is another attack upon our sovereignty,\u201d Windy Boy explained.\u00a0 \u201cThey (the whites) have already taken our land, our religion, the boarding schools ruined the lives of so many and now they want our children again.\u201d<\/p>\n

His bill would set Federal ICWA standards in Montana. \u201cI am going to invest all my hard-earned chips to get that passed,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need to keep our children and I ask our people to support this effort. It really matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other bills favorable to tribal\/native interests in Montana are still alive. Those include fee-waivers at Montana colleges for descendants of enrolled tribal members: continuing and enhancing State funding for the Missing\/Murdered Indigenous Persons Project and the Montana Indian Language Preservation Act.<\/p>\n

In addition to the tribal-specific bills, the Montana Legislative Caucus maintains a \u201cwatch list\u201d of other bills that could impact tribal peoples in Montana including such things as human trafficking, adoption and foster care placement, Medicare\/Medicaid expansion, protection of endangered species, hunting and fishing regulations etc.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is hectic short time,\u201d said Jason Small, Northern Cheyenne, Chairman of the Indian Caucus, known as a moderate voice among the Republicans, often challenging extreme right-wingers in his party. That is helpful as he has the personal ear of Governor Gianforte. As the President of the State Boilermakers Union, traditionally a Democratic organization, Small does not hesitate to appeal to those interests, often friendly to tribal concerns.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThings change from minute-to-minute, and it is hard to predict what happens in back room talks \u2013 the \u2018good ole boy network\u2019. We are trying our best to keep on top of things and do our the best we can for our tribal people. Simple fact, we are seriously outnumbered and even though we have support from many other quarters, sometimes it is just not enough,\u201d Small summarized.<\/p>\n

Ironically, Montana a most western-minded state, leads the nation in the number of tribal members elected to the State Legislature \u2013 12 in a body of 100. They have their hands full but on a bi-partisan basis have accomplished some major legislative milestones for tribal rights and interests.<\/p>\n

Stay tuned for the next update about what our tribal warriors (male and female) are doing in the State of Montana. They are our contemporary warriors, fighting on a battlefield unfamiliar to us. Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The post Update from Indian Caucus, Montana Legislature<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Tribal members serving in 2023 State Legislature:\u00a0 not in order:\u00a0 Sean Morigeau, Salish Kootenai (d); Sharon Peregoy, Crow (d); Susan Wells, Blackfeet (d); Jonathon Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree (d); Jason Small, Northern Cheyenne (r); Donovan Haek, Crow (d):\u00a0 Mike Fox, Gros-Ventre-Assiniboine (d):\u00a0 Tyson Running Wolf, Blackfeet (d).\u00a0 Not featured Marvin <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> March 2, 2023<\/p>\n

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