Tag: Indian Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Assistant Secretary William Kirkland from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs about the importance of water infrastructure in Montana’s tribal communities. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines on settling water rights litigation for tribal communities: Daines: Assistant Secretary Kirkland, thanks for your testimony earlier. Going back to your confirmation hearing, we discussed Montana’s final Indian water settlement, the Northern Montana Water Security Act. You mentioned, in fact, memories of hauling water across the Navajo Nation with your grandmother. You understand the challenges and the necessity of securing water rights and access in

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) today introduced a resolution commemorating May 5th, 2026, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. “On this year’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, we remember with a heavy heart all those who have been victims of this crisis. In particular we remember Montanan Hanna Harris, who would be turning 34 years old on May 5th this year. No family should have to endure what Hanna’s family went through, and it’s critical we keep tribal safety at the forefront

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Ms. Katherine Carlton and Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. in a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing about the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program and its positive impact on Montana tribes. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines: The Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program has helped tribally operated businesses in Montana grow and develop to serve their communities. Without a significant tax base, tribes are forced to find creative ways to generate revenue to fund important government functions and social services, or they can be completely dependent on federal funding.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan resolution designating the week of February 2nd, 2026, as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.” “I’m thrilled to introduce a resolution celebrating National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week. I’m proud of the hard work, achievements, and academic greatness of tribal students in Montana and look forward to the lasting impact these students will make on our state and the nation,” said Daines. Read the resolution HERE. Read more of Daines’ work for Montana tribes HERE. ### Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Councilwoman Joan Johnson from Harlem, Montana, in a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing. They discussed the Tiwahe program and the need to increase public safety resources for Montana tribes.   Watch the full exchange HERE.   Daines applauded the Trump administration’s actions to help Indian Country: Daines: I’d like to again welcome Councilwoman Joan Johnson from Harlem, Montana. Thank you for appearing before the Committee. I certainly appreciate the opportunity to discuss public safety for our Native communities, particularly Native youth. I applaud the Trump Administration’s immediate actions to close the southern

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today announced that their bill, the Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent and now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill ensures the Crow Tribe’s ability to successfully implement the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 and will ensure the tribe has access to clean water. “Access to clean water is a basic necessity, and the Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendment will ensure Montana’s Crow Tribe has the resources they need to deliver clean water to communities on the reservation and complete critical energy development projects. This has been a longstanding priority of mine, so I’m thrilled to see the bill

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) as well as Representatives Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (N.M.-03) led a letter to Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, and additional chairs and ranking members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives calling for the completion of current outstanding water settlements and related technical amendments. “We write as members representing states and districts with pending Indian water rights settlements. Completion of these settlements will save taxpayers millions of dollars, provide water access and certainty to Tribal and non-Tribal water users across the West, avoid years of protracted and costly litigation, and support the

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Mr. William Kirkland, nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing. Daines emphasized the importance of ensuring Montana tribes have the federal resources they need to support law enforcement, enhance public safety, and advance long-overdue water rights settlements. The Senator welcomed Kirkland’s thoughts and expressed his commitment to working together on behalf of tribal communities across Montana. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines advocated for more resources for tribal law enforcement: Daines: Mr. Kirkland, thank you for coming before this committee today. The Assistant Secretary of Indian