January 6, 2009

from the Missoulian
By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian

HELENA - Denise Juneau raised her right hand and was sworn in as the state's top K-12 educator on Monday, a coup that earned her traditional honor songs, trade blankets, two eagle feathers and praise from all corners of the state.

Juneau, who is both Blackfeet and Mandan-Hidatsa, is the first Native woman to win a statewide election in Montana. After her swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol rotunda, she thanked people during a standing-room-only reception at her new work area at the Office of Public Instruction.

“I'm ready to take the reins,” said Juneau, Montana's new state superintendent of education, who handily won voter approval in the November general election. “I stand ready to work for you as we move Montana public education forward.”

Inaugural activities on Monday proved to be a day that sparked hope and pride among those who believe hard work, intelligence and voter participation can lead to equality among the state's elected leaders.

When Gov. Brian Schweitzer joined Juneau at her reception, Mike Jetty, a curricula director for OPI, was reminded of the governor's “new day” mantra for Montana.

“It's a new day for OPI and Indian education,” said Jetty, who's been an educator for the last 17 years. “Ten years ago when I came to OPI, Denise was the lone Indian education specialist. So, all this Indian ed work rested upon her shoulders. Ten years later, there's a whole division. But, we have a long ways to go.”
Montana has the only state constitution in the country that calls for all public school students to learn about Native peoples.

Juneau has earned an education degree from Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Montana. She was the director of the state's office of Indian education when she decided to pour her energy into a nearly two-year campaign for the state's top education advocate for children in kindergarten through high school.

“The state of Montana made and excellent choice, especially in these difficult times that we're in,” said Pete Donovan, an adviser to the Montana Board of Public Education. “We need someone who has a strong passion for kids. She brings that and all her experience to the table. She also has a sense of humor, which is very important.”

Juneau's achievements left co-workers, friends and relatives overwhelmed and filled with pride.

Her dad, Stan, credited his daughter's leadership skills as inherited from her relatives, such as Mandan-Hidatsa Chief Old Dog and her grandfather, Martin Cross, a former tribal chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. Her mother, Sen. Carol Juneau, D-Browning, is a longtime legislator.

While she is enrolled with the Three Affiliated Tribes, Juneau grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation. And on inauguration day, the Blackfeet paid her full tribute. A delegation of spiritual and tribal leaders from the Blackfeet Nation sang honor songs for her from both the Blackfeet and Mandan-Hidatsa tribes.

Three Blackfeet men in eagle feather war bonnets stood to her right, including Blackfeet Chairman Willie Sharp. “It's a great day for Montana,” he said. “We know she'll represent Native people well. She says a lot about being a female warrior in today's society. We're proud to be here and stand beside her.”

Loren Bird Rattler, a Blackfeet, attributed her win to voter participation. “For the first time, we're able to see the work coming to fruition. I'm proud of Denise. She's worked hard.”

Jay Dusty Bull, who sings with the drum group Blackfoot Confederacy, also sang in her honor. “She's a childhood neighbor,” he said “We're very proud of her. That's from me and my family.”
He said Juneau is about to chart a new course for Native people and students across the state. “And the road is one straight ahead.”

Published in the Missoulian on January 6, 2009.