January 14, 2009

from the Missoulian

By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian
   
HELENA - With the Montana Legislature under way, Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, is asking fellow lawmakers to support nearly a dozen bills addressing issues such as domestic violence, celebrating American Indian heritage and improving health care services for rural Montanans.

Windy Boy, who represents Senate District 16, has stepped into his first term as a state senator after serving three terms as a representative. His legislative duties include assignments on the Business, Labor and Economic Affairs, Highways and Transportation and State Administration committees.

The Cree leader from the Rocky Boy's Reservation is one of nine Natives in the Montana Legislature. As a lawmaker, he has devoted much time and energy to introducing bills that focus on domestic violence.

This session, his priority bill - LC 1965 is still being drafted - calls for a study on the effects of child trauma due to domestic violence.

Windy Boy said he's heard many stories about the devastating effects of home violence on children around the state. Children who witness domestic violence often become overlooked victims, which concerns him.

He visited with one grandmother who told him about two grandchildren who were taken to see a psychologist after living in a home with domestic violence. The children, ages 2 and 4, were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“They equated the trauma to PTSD equivalent to that of a Vietnam vet,” said Windy Boy. “Important issues aren't being addressed for the victim. I want to put the children first this round. At some point in time, we need to stop that cycle. Children grow up, see that cycle and think it's OK when they see it. Then they grow up and they offend.”

Windy Boy, who begins the 61st session of the Legislature as a first-term senator, plans to sponsor 10 bills during the next 90 days. In addition to the child trauma bill, other proposed legislation would create a state holiday celebrating Native people, give psychologists authority to write prescriptions and ban credit scores for auto insurance.

A hearing is scheduled on Monday for a bill that would make Sept. 30 an American Indian Heritage Day - a holiday in Montana. It would be a way to take one day each year when Native heritage would be celebrated by all Montanans.

Language in his bill reminds lawmakers of the state Constitution, which recognizes “the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and commits, through educational goals, to the preservation of their cultural integrity.”

Meanwhile, Windy Boy's other legislation would improve health services to rural Montanans. His Senate district stretches 420 miles from Box Elder to Culbertson, near the Hi-Line.

He hopes lawmakers will approve a bill that would give psychologists the authority to prescribe medication; otherwise, patients are forced to travel to receive medical services that might otherwise be provided closer to home.

“The service doesn't provide anything locally,” he said. For example, 364 diabetics in his area have to travel to Billings three times a week for dialysis, a nearly five-hour trip one way.

He is also working on legislation that would do more to protect babies born to mothers addicted to methamphetamine. “Only a couple of state facilities statewide address it,” he said. “They are either in Great Falls or Billings. That doesn't do rural Montana any good.”

Windy Boy said rural Montanans not only have to drive a long way for health services, but it is also costing them more to do so - given that insurance companies use credit scoring to determine the monthly premiums for auto insurance.

In his district, tribal communities experience an unemployment rate upward of 70 percent, making it hard to meet daily living expenses since many people barely earn minimum wage. “The scenario in rural Montana is you have a choice of buying insurance or buying groceries for the home,” he said.

Reporter Jodi Rave can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at jodi.rave@lee.net. Or read her blog at www.buffalopost.net.

Published in the Missoulian on January 14, 2009.