Tribal leaders seek stable economy, cooperation

HELENA – Montana tribal leaders stressed the importance of economic stability and progress on the American Indian reservations as they addressed lawmakers during the State of the Tribal Nations Address this afternoon at the capitol.

James Steele Jr. (pictured), chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, gave the address, representing the eight tribes in the state.

“I believe that Indian reservations are good for Montana and can, in fact, significantly aid Montana in the area of economic development,” Steele said.

He gave examples of each tribe’s economic successes, including the future purchase of the Kerr Dam by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Many Stars Coal-to-Liquids Project on the Crow reservation.

“Even with high rates of unemployment, the seven Indian reservations of Montana and the state-recognized Little Shell Band of Chippewa contribute a combined total of $1 billion annually to the Montana economy,” Steele said.

Steele reminded legislators of the sovereignty the American Indian nations but said state and tribal governments must work together to survive the economic crisis.

“It’s important to remind ourselves and our surrounding communities that together we are greater than the sum of our parts,” Steele said.

Steele asserted the importance of developing water compacts and treaties between the tribes and the state, and exempting tribally owned lands from state taxes.

Representatives from the Blackfeet, Chippewa Cree, Northern Cheyenne and Little Shell Band of Chippewa were present, as were representatives from the Fort Belknap and Fort Peck reservations.

-by CNS correspondent Molly Priddy