Schweitzer reaches out to tribes, promises action

Governor-elect Brian Schweitzer lent his ear to tribal leaders around the state last week in what local Confederated Salish and Kootenai officials say was an excellent first step in ensuring their voice will be heard once he takes office.

Schweitzer hosted a conference call last Tuesday, Nov. 9, with eight tribes from around the state in an effort reach out to Native American groups, many of whom felt slighted the past few years as the state's Office of Indian Affairs position went unfilled during Gov. Martz's administration.

"This is a pretty historic event for the tribes to be afforded an opportunity to have a voice in the state governor's office. I'm not sure that any other prior administration has given the tribes of Montana that opportunity and voice and position in the executive branch of the state government," said CSK tribal council member James Steele, who represents the Arlee district.

CSK council vice chair Jami Hamel sat in on the conference call, and briefed Steele and other CSK members on it. One of the primary purposes of the call was to tell tribal leaders that he'd like to have representatives from each tribe on his transition team, a Schweitzer spokesperson said.

"The conference call was an effort by us to reach out to the first Montanans. Specifically we discussed filling the vacant Indian Affairs advisor position, which has not been filled during the Martz administration," said Schweitzer transition team communications director Sarah Elliot. "We also asked for eight members - one from each tribe - to serve on our transition team."

Steele was selected to represent the Tribe on Schweitzer's transition team, and said he's confident his bachelor's degree in political science and familiarity with government affairs will help.

"I have friends in the Legislature, both Republicans and Democrats, and I think it's very encouraging that Brian Schweitzer chose a Republican as his partner, as part of a bipartisan effort," Steele said.

Steele said Schweitzer's conference call was an important first step in rebuilding a working relationship with tribal leaders around the state - a relationship that didn't always seem to be a priority in past administrations, he said.

"In terms of a relationship, the frustration in the past has been the state government not willing to meet the tribes from a government-to-government perspective, and really understand where the tribes are coming from," Steele said. "The biggest aspect is the voice - being able to understand what the tribes are saying - but we are very encouraged by the fact that Schweitzer would give us an ear."

Steele said tribal relationships with the governor's office were hurt by the vacancy of the Indian Affairs advisor position, which didn't go unnoticed.

"I think that position being left vacant is really frustrating. It would have been nice to see that position filled. When you have the office of coordinator of Indian Affairs vacant for such an amount of time, it really leaves a message that our voice as tribal people wasn't being recognized," he said.

Regardless, tribal leaders around the state are ready to move forward and work with Schweitzer, Steele said. One of the most pressing issues is economic development.

"The Salish and Kootenai Tribe employs quite a few individuals, and we have a payroll that sustains an economy both on the reservation and in places like Missoula and Kalispell. Indian people are like any other people - we shop in Target and Shopko and other places, too," Steele said. "I think this is one area that Schweitzer can really help us in - economic development."

Steele said tribal leaders aren't expecting to be able to write their own ticket, but are grateful to have their voices heard.

"I'm very encouraged, as are all the tribes in Montana, by Gov.-elect Schweitzer and Bohlinger. This is an exciting time for us, that we have a governor that is willing to include us and at least hear us," Steele said. "The level of communication is very good, and I think that's a strong indication of what we as tribal people can expect from this administration."