Tag: Tribes

Bills Ensure Montana Tribes’ Water Rights U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that two of his bills to support Montana’s tribal communities have passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and are now one step closer to becoming law. The “Northern Montana Water Security Act” will complete the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) Water Settlement, the final Indian water rights settlement in Montana, and the “Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendment Act” will provide additional support for infrastructure updates. “These bills are critical in ensuring Montana’s tribes are supported with the resources they need, and I’m glad to see them

U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Senator Tim Sheehy, Congressman Ryan Zinke and Congressman Troy Downing today introduced a slate of bills to strengthen and support Montana’s tribal communities, ensure access to clean water and updated infrastructure and keep the critical Bull Mountains Mine open.  “From clean water and reliable infrastructure to critical tax revenue, I’m glad to work with Senator Sheehy, Congressman Zinke and Congressman Downing to support Montana’s tribal communities across our great state,” said Daines. “It’s past time these commonsense bills become law, and I’ll fight to get them across the finish line.” “Working to meet the needs of communities on our reservations and across the Hi-Line

U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced his bipartisan “Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act,” which would eliminate the 50 percent blood quantum requirement for members of federally recognized tribes when exercising their treaty-protected right to cross between the U.S. and Canada freely.  “For too long tribal members crossing Montana’s northern border have been subject to the discriminatory 50 percent blood quantum requirement that burdens Montanans and opens them up to unjust harassment. It’s time we end this outdated policy and honor Tribal sovereignty,” said Daines. Background: For over 70 years, federally-recognized tribes near the Canada border have been required to carry proof, obtained through the

U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill to resolve the final Indian water rights settlement in Montana passed the U.S. Senate, achieving a fair settlement for Fort Belknap farmers, ranchers and Montanans on the Hi-Line and throughout the entire state. “This is a huge win for the Tribe, farmers and ranchers and the entire state of Montana, said Daines. “As the final Indian water rights settlement in Montana, this bill will help provide clean drinking water to Montanans on the Hi-Line, invest in critical ag irrigation and help prevent costly litigation by codifying existing water rights. Especially after the catastrophic siphon failure at St.