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Tag: Indian Affairs

Senate Approves Federal Recognition of Little Shell Tribe After Years-Long Push by Daines & Tester

June 27, 2019

(U.S. Senate) – The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians is one step closer to achieving federal recognition today, thanks to a legislative push by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester. The Senators’ legislation passed today as a Daines amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act—the Senate’s must-pass annual defense bill. “Today is a historic day for Montana’s Little Shell Tribe,” Daines said. “For the first time in history, our bill to federally recognize the Tribe passed the Senate. This is a major milestone for the Little Shell Tribe, and I’ll continue pushing until we get this done once

Daines Advances Key Montana Priorities in Senate Defense Bill

June 27, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today advanced key Montana priorities with U.S. Senate passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA passed with a vote of 86-8. “The Senate defense bill protects and promotes Montana’s critical contributions to our national security,” Daines said. “I look forward to working with the House to ensure we keep critical Montana provisions that strengthens our nuclear deterrence, empowers our standing on the world stage and gets the men and women who serve in Montana the resources they need.” Key Highlights in the Senate passed NDAA: Prioritizes nuclear deterrence– $22 million increase for GBSD $8.9 million increase for Minuteman upgrades $29 million

Daines Launches Bills to Mitigate MMIW Crisis in Indian Country

June 19, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing continued his fight to combat the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis occurring across Montana’s Tribal communities and the West. In conjunction with the hearing, Daines introduced two pieces of legislation, the Finding and Investigating Native Disappearance Act (FIND) and The Tribal Reporting and Accountability to Congress Act (TRAC). Click HERE to download. “I want to thank you all for coming before us today as we continue to work to put an end to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis,” Daines said. “[T]oday I

Little Shell Federal Recognition Bill One Step Closer to Becoming Law after Push by Daines & Tester

June 19, 2019

(U.S. Senate) – Federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians has advanced further than ever before after a push by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester to successfully include their bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act—the Senate’s must-pass annual defense legislation. The Little Shell Tribe has sought federal recognition for nearly four decades, and has been recognized by the State of Montana since 2000. “Great news today for Montana’s Little Shell Tribe,” Daines said. “After decades of fighting for the federal recognition they deserved, we’re one step closer to making it a reality.  I’m honored to have

Daines: We Must Shed Light on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis

April 4, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a resolution designating May 5, 2019 as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.  “What’s happening in Indian Country must be addressed and brought to the national stage,” Daines said. “We must work together to stop the crisis of missing and murdered Native women and girls. I will continue to strongly voice their stories so that we may commemorate their lives, raise awareness of this issue, and help put an end to this horrible tragedy.” Daines will headline the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s March in Billings, Montana tomorrow, April 5th. To read the full resolution, click HERE. Background: On February 7th,

Daines to HHS: Convicted Pedophile Should Not Receive One Cent of Taxpayer Money

March 28, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging he stop Stanley Patrick Weber, a former Indian Health Service (IHS) pediatrician recently convicted for molesting children while working on the Blackfeet Reservation, from continuing to receive a government pension in prison. “If the Department of Health and Human Services cannot stop Mr. Weber’s pension payments, then we stand ready to provide any assistance necessary from Congress that will fix this flawed system,” the letter states. “A convicted pedophile should not receive one cent of taxpayer money while serving

Daines Honors Native Women in Montana, Across the Nation

March 7, 2019

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. The resolution celebrates the heritage, culture, and history of Native women and recognizes the many contributions Native women have made to our nation. “Native women have made a profound impact in Montana and across our country,” Daines said. “By honoring the importance of their contributions, we can ensure that future generations of young women can learn from the legacies of these great leaders.”  The full resolution can be found HERE.   ###

Daines Demands Accountability at Indian Health Service

February 22, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Rear Admn. Michael Weahkee, the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), demanding answers on Stanley Patrick Weber, a former pediatrician at IHS who was recently convicted of sexually molesting children while working on the Blackfeet Reservation. “While justice is being served in the court of law, accountability must be demanded of IHS and the individuals who enabled Mr. Weber to continue molesting children for over two decades,” the letter states. “Our Native youth are already a uniquely vulnerable population facing severe social and economic challenges. Our Indian population, especially

Daines Introduces Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act

January 28, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Steve Daines today introduced the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. Daines’ bill would clarify that the definition of “employers” in the National Labor Relations Act includes federally-recognized tribal governmental employers on tribally-owned land.  “For far too long, the federal government has infringed on the rights of our tribes in Montana. It’s time the government gets out of the way, and empowers tribes to determine their own destiny and create good-paying jobs for their citizens,” Daines said. Full text of the bill can be found here.    Daines’ bill passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in February 2017. As a member of the

Daines Successfully Secures U.S. Senate Hearing on Missing and Murdered Persons in Indian Country

December 10, 2018

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a hearing this Wednesday on the issue of missing and murdered persons in Indian country. The announcement comes after Daines sent a letter to Committee leadership requesting a hearing.     “We face tragedies from across Montana where tribal citizens, particularly women and girls, go missing without a trace,” Daines said. “We must do all in our power to curb the crisis of American Indians and Alaska Natives who disappear and whose cases never see justice. I’m glad to see that the committee is treating this issue with