Post by blackcrowheart on Nov 15, 2005 11:21:14 GMT -5
Schweitzer and Windy Boy team up for the people Email this page Print this page
Posted: November 14, 2005
by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today
Brenda Norrell Indian Country -- Montana Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree tribal councilman, listened as Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer praised his work in the state Legislature and tribe during the National Congress of American Indians' annual convention.
TULSA, Okla. - Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer praised state Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree, during a speech that attracted repeated applause at the National Congress of American Indians' 62nd annual convention.
The first-term Democratic governor said he has more American Indians on his staff than all the previous Montana governors and encouraged American Indians to maintain their allegiance to the Democratic Party.
''An Indian voting Republican is like the chicken voting for the colonel,'' Schweitzer said, referring to Col. Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame.
Referring to Windy Boy as a friend, Schweitzer praised Windy Boy's services to Indian people and commitment to justice: ''He's the Rosa Parks of Indian country.''
Windy Boy, in an interview with Indian Country Today at the convention, didn't comment on the comparison to the late civil rights movement pioneer but did stress the urgent needs in Indian country.
Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, said the most important issues are maintaining treaties while seeking new forms of economic development and revenue, fighting the plague of methamphetamine abuse and working with states to ensure equitable funding.
''Right now, the federal government should never be let off the hook, but realistically there's not going to be a lot of funding from this administration. We need to think outside the box.''
As a Montana state representative, Windy Boy is working with the state government to bring funding to tribes.
''I think I'm on to something. A lot of states receive money for tribal numbers, but we are only getting pieces of it,'' he said, pointing out that states need to work with tribes and become more knowledgeable about the structure of tribes.
Windy Boy said he hopes tribes and states across the country will become more aware of the need for fair and equitable distribution of state funds for Indian tribes.
Encouraging a stronger voice in state and national politics, Windy Boy said an American Indian/Alaska Native caucus is long overdue. Pointing out that there are already black and Hispanic caucuses, he questioned why there is not a Native caucus.
One of the most crucial issues facing Indian country is the abuse of methamphetamine, the drug that can produce addiction and brain damage after only one use. ''Indian country needs to address methamphetamines,'' Windy Boy said.
In some areas, including Wind River in Wyoming, drug dealers have offered the drug free to first-time users in order to get tribal members addicted, according to federal charges against a drug ring operating out of Utah.
With the Bush administration spending $7.3 billion on preparations for a possible bird flu pandemic, Windy Boy asked: ''Why don't they put any funds into the methamphetamine epidemic? It is just tearing up homes and families. It eats away at the very core of our existence. Meth is indiscriminate; it doesn't care what race or creed you are.''
Windy Boy, longtime international Grass Dance champion, said being a state legislator and tribal councilman is only possible because he has the support of the Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Tribal Council. With the state Legislature meeting for 90 days between the end of January and April, and monthly tribal council sessions, Windy Boy said he is able to maintain both commitments.
Posted: November 14, 2005
by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today
Brenda Norrell Indian Country -- Montana Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree tribal councilman, listened as Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer praised his work in the state Legislature and tribe during the National Congress of American Indians' annual convention.
TULSA, Okla. - Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer praised state Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree, during a speech that attracted repeated applause at the National Congress of American Indians' 62nd annual convention.
The first-term Democratic governor said he has more American Indians on his staff than all the previous Montana governors and encouraged American Indians to maintain their allegiance to the Democratic Party.
''An Indian voting Republican is like the chicken voting for the colonel,'' Schweitzer said, referring to Col. Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame.
Referring to Windy Boy as a friend, Schweitzer praised Windy Boy's services to Indian people and commitment to justice: ''He's the Rosa Parks of Indian country.''
Windy Boy, in an interview with Indian Country Today at the convention, didn't comment on the comparison to the late civil rights movement pioneer but did stress the urgent needs in Indian country.
Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, said the most important issues are maintaining treaties while seeking new forms of economic development and revenue, fighting the plague of methamphetamine abuse and working with states to ensure equitable funding.
''Right now, the federal government should never be let off the hook, but realistically there's not going to be a lot of funding from this administration. We need to think outside the box.''
As a Montana state representative, Windy Boy is working with the state government to bring funding to tribes.
''I think I'm on to something. A lot of states receive money for tribal numbers, but we are only getting pieces of it,'' he said, pointing out that states need to work with tribes and become more knowledgeable about the structure of tribes.
Windy Boy said he hopes tribes and states across the country will become more aware of the need for fair and equitable distribution of state funds for Indian tribes.
Encouraging a stronger voice in state and national politics, Windy Boy said an American Indian/Alaska Native caucus is long overdue. Pointing out that there are already black and Hispanic caucuses, he questioned why there is not a Native caucus.
One of the most crucial issues facing Indian country is the abuse of methamphetamine, the drug that can produce addiction and brain damage after only one use. ''Indian country needs to address methamphetamines,'' Windy Boy said.
In some areas, including Wind River in Wyoming, drug dealers have offered the drug free to first-time users in order to get tribal members addicted, according to federal charges against a drug ring operating out of Utah.
With the Bush administration spending $7.3 billion on preparations for a possible bird flu pandemic, Windy Boy asked: ''Why don't they put any funds into the methamphetamine epidemic? It is just tearing up homes and families. It eats away at the very core of our existence. Meth is indiscriminate; it doesn't care what race or creed you are.''
Windy Boy, longtime international Grass Dance champion, said being a state legislator and tribal councilman is only possible because he has the support of the Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Tribal Council. With the state Legislature meeting for 90 days between the end of January and April, and monthly tribal council sessions, Windy Boy said he is able to maintain both commitments.