U.S. Senate Candidate Tester Outlines Indian Policy
Tester Says Respecting Sovereignty, Government-to-Government Relations are Priorities
U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester today released his Indian policy, saying respecting tribal sovereignty and government-to-government relationships are top priorities in working with Indian Country.
“As a dryland farmer, a Montanan, and someone committed to giving a voice to all of our citizens in this state, I join my friends in Indian Country in my desire to protect our lands, air and water,” Tester said. “I want to ensure self-determination and more opportunities for Tribal citizens through better education, housing, health care, economic development and trust reform.”
[Click Here to Read the Policy]
As a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Tester’s platform for Indian Country includes:
- Respecting sovereignty and government-to-government relationships
- Funding the Indian Health Service
- Funding Indian housing to improve the quality of life and investments in tribal communities
- Supporting Tribal Tax Incentives and business initiatives for reservation economies to spark more jobs
- Supporting funding for Indian education, including job training programs, and funding for tribal colleges
- Aggressively pursuing Hi-Line water projects—St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Program, Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Regional Water System and Rocky Boy’s-North Central Regional Water System
- Settling the Cobell Lawsuit on fair and equitable terms
As the President of Senate in the 2005 state Legislature, Tester worked with lawmakers and the Schweitzer administration to make historic advances for Indian Country in Montana:
- $1 million was approved for economic development programs on Montana’s reservations, in addition to recognizing the important work of the State Tribal Economic Development Commission.
- The importance of our seven Montana Tribal Colleges was acknowledged through increased funding for needed equipment, including landmark funding levels to financially assist non-beneficiary students who attend these institutions.
- And perhaps most importantly, for the first time since 1972 when the Montana constitution was accepted as the highest law of the State, Indian Education for All was funded, with a significant portion designated for the Tribal Colleges for the development of tribal histories and curriculum to educate all of Montana’s students.
- Tester and lawmakers also approved funds that will help increase graduation rates of Indian children, so that all of Montana’s students can realize the dream of being self-sufficient and self-determined.
“Learning about the rich cultures, history and contemporary issues of Montana’s First Nations is a unique and critical part of quality education,” Tester said.
“Indian Education for All must include all students and all schools for the benefit of all Montanans.”
Throughout the 2005 legislative session, Tester worked with the eight Indian legislators on all issues, and asked cultural and community leaders from all the tribes in Montana to open Montana Senate floor sessions.
Tester also formally invited tribal chairs and tribal council members to meet with him and listen firsthand to their concerns. To keep this dialogue in place for the entire session, Tester implemented an open-door policy with all tribal leaders and members.
“I have a history of fighting and winning for Montanans, and that includes the First Montanans,” Tester said.
Posted on Sunday, May 28th, 2006 at 5:49 am.
