On Tuesday afternoon, the Montana state Senate voted against initiating discussions on a bill that aimed to establish Indigenous Peoples Day in the state. The decision came after a debate regarding the potential replacement of Columbus Day with the proposed holiday.
Nevertheless, a member of the Montana American Indian Caucus intends to propose a bill that will relocate the state-recognized American Indian Heritage Day to October, coinciding with Columbus Day.
Sen. Susan Webber, a member of the Montana American Indian Caucus and Democrat representing Browning, expressed her intention to initiate a discussion on Indigenous Peoples Day. She stated her desire to debate the bill, SB 141, after it was tabled by the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee on Monday.
A blast motion, also known as a resurrection tactic, can allow bills that have been killed in committee to be brought to the floor for debate. This tactic requires a simple majority vote to revive a stalled bill. However, when the Senate voted on this motion, it was rejected with a 33-17 vote. All Republicans, except for Native caucus chair Sen. Jason Small, R-Busby, opposed the motion.
Webber, a representative from the Blackfeet tribe, stated during her opening statement that 39 individuals spoke in favor of the bill during a public hearing held on Feb. 8. She noted that there were no opponents present. These 39 individuals had traveled from various parts of Montana to express their support for the bill. Webber emphasized that these supporters deserved an explanation for why the bill was ultimately postponed.
Senator Dan Salomon, a Republican from Ronan, expressed his discomfort with the language and quotes used by the bill’s sponsor during its introduction to the committee, opposing the blast motion on the floor.
Salomon informed the Senate that he began by quoting accusations against Columbus, including rape, beheading, amputations, slicing torsos in two, and engaging in sex trafficking. The hearing took a rapid turn as one can imagine.
During the committee hearing, Salomon vented his anger towards the accusations made against him. He placed the blame for the bill’s failure on its sponsor, Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula.
He declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, what we witnessed here was the epitome, and I truly mean the epitome, of a bill sponsor sabotaging their own bill.”
On the Senate floor, Morigeau, a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, provided a response to Salomon.
Morgieau clarified, “It was the committee who rejected the bill, not me. It’s baffling to have a conversation about an individual from the past who was known to engage in non-conventional activities, and yet conveniently evade discussing those actions. We must acknowledge and confront historical events rather than trying to erase or sanitize them if we are to have meaningful discussions.”
Morigeau’s bill represented the most recent endeavor to establish Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana. Over the past four sessions, the Montana Legislature has witnessed similar initiatives aiming to establish this holiday. Advocates argue that the bill seeks to enhance education regarding the historical connection between the state and its Indigenous communities.
On Monday, the bill faced an initial setback as legislators in the committee voted strictly along party lines, causing it to stall.
The move, according to Morigeau, abruptly ended a conversation that was greatly needed.
Morigeau stated in a press release that “every individual originates from a specific place, making them indigenous in their own right. This initiative aims to honor each person’s heritage in an inclusive manner, fostering unity and promoting healing. It is unfortunate that SB 141 was dismissed without the opportunity for the meaningful discussion it warranted.”
Webber had taken precautions for the worst-case situation. By Tuesday, she had drafted a new bill that proposed shifting American Indian Heritage Day from September to October 12, aligning it with the traditional day of American Columbus Day. At the federal level, the United States currently observes this holiday on the second Monday of October.
The state of Montana has already established Heritage Day as a significant occasion to honor and celebrate the rich heritage and culture of the American Indians. However, Webber’s recent bill might be interpreted as another effort by the caucus to overshadow Columbus Day.
A number has not yet been assigned to the bill.
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.
