The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council (RMTLC) is calling on U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, a Republican, to issue a public apology for making offensive remarks about Native people.
RMTLC Chairman Bryce Kirk, a leader from the Fort Peck Tribes, issued the request in a September 3, 2024, letter to Sheehy. The letter refers to Sheehy's remarks in which he described Native people as being "drunk at 8am."
"Native Americans are not your punchline. Your words were unnecessarily hurtful, and unfortunately a little too close to being hateful," Kirk wrote in the two-page letter.
Sheehy repeatedly linked Native people to alcohol during events on the campaign trail in Montana. He specifically referred to people from the Crow Tribe, one of the members of RMTLC.
The RMTLC represents tribal nations in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.