‘Right thing to do’: 3 major bills for Indian Country become law

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy calls them “my big three.”

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, introduces HB 317 to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record

He’s referring to three of his bills that were signed into law earlier this week.

One codifies parts of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act into state law. A second brings transparency and accountability to Indian Education for All. And the third revises the Montana Indian Language Preservation program, elevating the role of tribal governments.

“I feel good about it,” Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, said about the passage of his legislation. “This session for me has been all about accountability. I think that’s part of the reason why these bills were so successful — because people wanted accountability.”

Bill 1: Montana Indian Child Welfare Act

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, a Democrat from Box Elder representing HD32, at his office in Box Elder on the Rocky Boy Reservation. Rep. Windy Boy was a member of the

View Source