Democratic lawmakers from Montana’s American Indian Caucus entered the 2021 legislative session with the numbers stacked against them. Minorities within a minority party, Native American lawmakers often found themselves trying to snuff measures seeking to restrict voting access, limit the presence of wild bison on Montana lands, and rework public assistance programming. But there were successes, too. Native American lawmakers passed legislation to support Indigenous language education, and funding to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people was again approved by the Legislature and the governor. The caucus also found success working together on issues and presenting a unified message on social and natural resource issues.
Windy Boy receives education award from Office of Public Instruction
Jonathan Windy Boy
A local legislator was honored by the Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction this morning for his work in closing achievement gaps in education. Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, was invited to receive a Montana Learn award this morning, presented by Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen during the final Education Caucus meeting of the season, with awards presented to legislators while hot apple fritters were served. The superintendent is honored to recognize your great work on behalf of Montana s American Indian students and your tireless advocacy for language immersion opportunities¯ Windy Boy s notification of the award said.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Haaland for Secretary of the Interior in a 51-40 vote.
Sen. Steve Daines voted to block her confirmation, citing her track record and ideology, and Sen. Jon Tester voted to confirm her, citing her commitments to public lands, tribal nations and job creation.
A Democratic representative from New Mexico, Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe. She is a 35th generation New Mexican.
In her two-day confirmation hearing, Haaland spoke of her father, who served in the Marine Corps, her mother, who served in the Navy and worked for the Bureau of Indian Education, and generations of ancestors who paved her path.
Yo-Yo Ma, flowing green, Brooklyn Bridge: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Montgomery: The state is expanding eligibility later this month for COVID-19 vaccinations to more front-line workers, residents with certain chronic health conditions, and people 55 and older, officials announced Friday. “We have been concerned that many people at high risk and others engaged in close-contact work have not been eligible to receive the vaccine yet, but with the additional vaccine supply we are better able to meet the needs of Alabama residents,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. The expansion, starting March 22, will add more than 2 million people to the groups who can receive a COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama, roughly doubling the number of people now eligible. But demand continues to exceed supply and will increase the competition to find shots. State Health Officer Scott Harris said eligibility was expanded because of the
Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, presented an amendment to restore funding to the tribal relations manager and American Indian health director positions.