Native issues are front and center in the Montana Legislature thanks to the record number of tribal citizens in office.
According to University of Montana Legislative News Service, 11 Native lawmakers are serving in the House and the Senate. And the
Montana American Indian Caucus boasts 12 members, with their meetings regularly drawing 25 attendees, the service reported.
“We’ve been here for centuries and centuries, and we’re catching on to this game,” Rep.
Jonathan Windy Boy (D), a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, told UM School of Journalism reporter Shaylee Ragar.
The number of Native lawmakers accounts for 7 percent of the members of Montana Legislature. That's in line with the
percentage of Native peoples in the state.
The Native lawmakers in the 2019 session follow:
MONTANA SENATE:
• Sen. Jason Small (R), Northern Cheyenne
• Sen. Susan Webber (D), Blackfeet
• Sen. Frank Smith (D), Assiniboine and Sioux
MONTANA HOUSE:
• Rep. Barbara Bessette (D), Chippewa Cree
• Rep. Jade Bahr (D), Northern Cheyenne
• Rep. Rae Peppers (D), Northern Cheyenne
• Rep. Marvin Weatherwax Jr. (D), Blackfeet
• Rep. Tyson Runningwolf (D), Blackfeet
• Rep. Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (D), Crow
• Rep. Shane Morigeau (D), Salish and Kootenai
• Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy (D), Chippewa Cree
The 12th member of the Montana American Indian Caucus is Rep. Bridget Smith (D), who represents the Fort Peck Reservation.
Read More on the Story
Native representation growing in Montana’s Legislature
(University of Montana Legislative News Service January 20, 2019)
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