In Montana, Native Americans hold a greater representation in elected positions compared to their overall population, making it the sole state in the country where this occurs. This unique scenario presents an opportunity for Indigenous individuals to have a more influential role in their government.
In Montana, there are a total of 12 tribes residing on or off seven reservations, which positions Native Americans as the most significant minority group within the state. Nonetheless, expressing their concerns and struggles has proven to be challenging. Despite their integral role in shaping the state’s identity, Native Americans and their concerns appear to have been increasingly overlooked in recent times.
For instance, early in the 2023 state legislative session, non-Native lawmakers raised concerns by introducing, or considering, legislative bills that could be described as anti-Indigenous. One was a draft joint resolution to “investigate alternatives to the American Indian reservation system.” Resolution sponsor Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, decided not to follow through with the introduction after public outcry.
The Montana American Indian Caucus, consisting of Indigenous legislators, presented a few bills in response. These aimed to enhance awareness about the tribes in the state and their historical significance, such as a bill that mandated schools to include more Native history in their curriculum. Unfortunately, both proposals were swiftly dismissed.
“I’ve always known that that bill is an uphill battle,” said Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula, Salish and Kootenai, who introduced both bills, and another that would have created Indigenous Peoples Day to replace Columbus Day. “What we’ve accomplished is education, and I think making and forcing people to kind of look themselves in the mirror and talk about these things or even go look it up, right? It just forces people to do a little bit of research.”
Despite this, the Indigenous caucus continues to strive towards strengthening the voices of its members. Montana stands out as one of the limited states that have established such a group, which, according to caucus members, effectively advocates for Native American matters among their non-Native peers.
Morigeau stated that they are an integral component of the state’s identity.
Montana’s Indigenous population constitutes 6.6% according to the U.S. census, while the state Legislature comprises 11 tribal members, approximately 7.3% of all legislators.
“That is why it’s good for basically the reservations of the tribes to have representation,” said caucus chair Sen. Jason Small, R-Busby. “The greatest benefit is being able to bring something back home, or create a mechanism that works or create a relationship between the state and the tribes.”
The state’s first Native representative, Dolly Smith Cusker Akers, was elected into office in 1932, but the Montana Legislature only began recording Indigenous legislators in 1989.
According to the 2020 census, the Montana Legislature stands out among other states for achieving parity with its Native population. This means that the representation of Indigenous people in the lawmaking body is equal to, or even higher than, the proportion of Native population in the state. Oregon is the only other state to have achieved legislative parity, even though its Native population is smaller, at just under 2%.
States like Alaska, where there is a significant Indigenous population, have recently made progress in terms of Native representation. For instance, Alaska recently elected its first Native woman to its House of Representatives. However, despite these positive developments, other states with substantial Indigenous communities continue to face a lack of significant Native representation.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 19 states have established committees specifically dedicated to Native affairs. However, due to inactive sources linked to the website’s list, it is challenging to determine the precise number of states that presently have these caucuses in operation.
Despite differences in party priorities, the Montana American Indian Caucus, consisting of four senators and seven representatives, successfully pushed through several bills in both the Senate and House by the halfway point of the session.
There are 11 members in the 2023 Montana American Indian Caucus.
- Sen. Mike Fox, D-Hayden, Gro Ventre, Assiniboine and Chippewa Cree, Hays
- Rep. Donavon Hawk, D-Butte, Crow and Lakota
- Rep. Rhonda Knudsen, R-Culbertson, Turtle Mountain Chippewa
- Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula, Salish and Kootenai
- Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, Blackfeet
- Sen. Jason Small, R-Busby, Northern Cheyenne
- Rep. Frank Smith, D-Poplar, Assiniboine and Sioux
- Rep. Sharon Stewart Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, Crow
- Rep. Marvin Weatherwax Jr., D-Browning, Blackfeet
- Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, Blackfeet
- Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, Chippewa Cree and Assinaboine
Both Morigeau and Hawk emerged victorious in non-reservation districts encompassing major cities in Montana. Morigeau engaged in conversations with MTFP and ICT, shedding light on the ongoing battle for equality both within and beyond the reservation.
Morigeau, who represents a predominantly Democratic district in Missoula County, emphasized her responsibility to advocate for her community and district. She believes that her constituents value having a Legislature that accurately reflects the diversity of Montana, including its urban areas.
Morigeau’s focus aligns with what he perceives as the desired priorities of his district in Missoula, which include supporting and safeguarding families, as well as tackling voting equity concerns.
Despite this, Morigeau clarified that his sponsored bills do not imply that he and the caucus solely focus on legislation pertaining to tribal communities.
He stated, “It is evident that the well-being and prosperity of our entire state are of great importance to me.”
DYNAMICS OF THE CAUCUS
The majority of the Indigenous caucus aligns with the Democratic Party, with two out of its 11 members, including the caucus chair, representing the Republican Party. From a political standpoint, the caucus faces a challenging task in collaborating with the Republican supermajority within the state Legislature.
The establishment and recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day as a state holiday, replacing Columbus Day, has been a recurring topic brought before the Legislature in four previous sessions.
“I am committed to representing both my community and district. I strongly believe that my district highly values the importance of having diverse representation in our Legislature, particularly reflecting the demographics of Montana, including our urban areas.”
Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula
This time around, Morigeau carried Senate Bill 141, which was tabled in committee. The Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee chair said Morigeau torpedoed the bill when he referenced documented violence committed by Christopher Columbus. An attempt to bring the bill back on the Senate floor also failed.
Morigeau explained that there is a misconception that removing Columbus from history is equivalent to erasing white culture. However, this is not the case. The focus is on acknowledging the negative aspects of Columbus as an individual, while striving for inclusivity in our nation and state.
According to Small, the caucus serves as a platform for members to stay updated on the progress of their sponsored bills and also offers them an opportunity to engage and collaborate with other legislators.
Small stated that working with others is the most effective approach to garner support. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with the caucus, a beneficial group that advocates for individuals to align with your cause. Ultimately, this collaboration can result in a substantial number of votes in your favor.
Despite not having the unanimous approval of all caucus members, the caucus continues to collaborate effectively in supporting or opposing bills.
Considered the most conservative member of the AIC, Knudsen maintains a lesser level of engagement in the group’s weekly meetings. Nonetheless, she has successfully been chosen as the speaker pro tempore for the session in the House of Representatives, a position at the statehouse that she acknowledges as being immensely demanding.
She is responsible for reading over 1,000 bills and allocating them to the relevant committees. Additionally, she fulfills the role of the speaker of the House in his absence.
House District 34, in which Knudsen serves, covers a few small towns along the Hi-Line as well as a part of the Fort Peck Reservation.
According to Knudsen, the problems faced by rural and eastern Montana, both on and off the reservation, remain consistent and interconnected, without any distinct differences or divisions.
“The caucus is doing well,” stated Running Wolf.
“He mentioned that it continues to have significant influence in garnering support from both Republicans and Democrats on various matters. At times, it becomes necessary for us to utilize this influence to address Native American concerns across all areas of Montana, including urban, rural, and reservation communities,” he expressed.
Running Wolf emphasized the importance of having debates among caucus parties to ensure the best decisions are made for Indian Country as a whole. He pointed out that certain bills, such as those related to an Indian tuition waiver or the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, transcend party lines and are significant on both a statewide and national level.
Once a week, the caucus convenes to promote engagement among representatives, senators, lobbyists, and organizations, urging them to voice their opinions on various issues or bills.
Democratic House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, D-Helena, who is not Native, said the caucus has done well communicating with the larger Legislature.
Abbott expressed that our caucus has developed robust connections, comprising highly skilled and experienced lawmakers. He believes that the American Indian Caucus has successfully fostered a strong sense of community among its members. Additionally, he noted that their communication is transparent, effective, and consistently maintained across party lines.
‘THE MAIN GOAL’
With his first term dating back to 2003, Windy Boy holds the distinction of being one of the most experienced legislators in the caucus. Throughout his tenure, he has served in both the Senate and the House, witnessing significant changes within the caucus over time.
“It feels more cohesive now,” he remarked, reflecting on his personal growth. “In the past few weeks, our frequent meetings have played a significant role in fostering this sense of unity among us.”
Windy Boy pondered upon the extensive journey endured by American Indians in the nation and acknowledged that it was not until 1924 when Congress finally granted them citizenship.
Windy Boy stated that ultimately, our primary objective is to provide mutual support and ensure that the most favorable policy, benefiting Indian Country, is achieved.
This story was updated March 16, 2023, to correct an error. Montana’s first Native state representative was Dolly Smith Cusker Akers, who was elected in 1932.
This story is co-published by Montana Free Press and ICT, a news partnership that covers the Montana American Indian Caucus during the state’s 2023 legislative session. Funding is provided in part by the Headwaters Foundation.
