Keith Beartusk, the director for the Rocky Mountain Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is retiring after 36 years of working for the federal government.

Beartusk, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana, got his start with the U.S. Forest Service in 1971. He moved to the BIA to work on forestry issues in 1978 and has worked in Billings ever since.

"It's a challenging and complex job, but very rewarding," Beartusk, 58, told The Billings Gazette. "I work daily with tribal leaders and Indians."

Ed Parisian, the former deputy director of education programs at the BIA, will serve as acting director for the region. Parisian had also been serving as acting director of the Office of Indian Education Programs because the Bush administration still hasn't hired anyone for that post.

Get the Story:
BIA regional director retiring (The Billings Gazette 4/27)

Relevant Links:
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council - http://www.mtwytlc.com