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.

January 4, 2009

from the Missoulian
By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian

Sen. Carol Juneau, D-Browning, the longest-serving member of the Montana Legislature's American Indian caucus, arrives for the 2009 session with legislative priorities ranging from water compacts and education funding to hate crimes and energy drinks.
 
Editor's note
Today, the Missoulian begins a nine-part look at the Indian legislators serving in the 2009 Montana Legislature.
 
Juneau is already set for a hearing Wednesday that would extend the tribal-state water compact commission. She is also prepared to convince lawmakers of the need to increase the state's education budget, expand the definition of hate crimes and regulate the sale of energy drinks.

January 6, 2009

from the Missoulian
By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian

Editor's note: The Missoulian continues a nine-part look at the Indian legislators serving in the 2009 Montana Legislature.

Rep. Margarett Campbell, D-Poplar, who holds a top leadership position in the Montana Legislature, expects the state budget to dominate much of her time as lawmakers propose, debate and pass bills during the 90-day session.

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.

January 15, 2009

from the Missoulian
By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian

HELENA - When Sen. Sharon Stewart Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, stood among fellow members of the Montana Senate during swearing-in ceremonies, she spoke in her Crow language, breaking the state's English-only law.

Peregoy, a bilingual educator, said she invoked her “senatorial privileges” as Crow friends and family watched from the balcony in the Senate chambers. The state calls for all official state business to be conducted in English.

January 26, 2009

from the Billings Gazette

Editor's note: This story continues a nine-part look at the American Indian lawmakers serving in the 2009 Montana Legislature.

By JODI RAVE
Of the Missoulian

HELENA - When Sen. Sharon Stewart Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, stood among fellow members of the Montana Senate during swearing-in ceremonies, she spoke in her Crow language, breaking the state's English-only law.

News Release (November 30, 2007)

Puget Sound Business Journal (November 16, 2007)

San Bernardino Sun (August 22, 2007)

Native Times (February 8, 2007)