Indian Affairs
Jon grew up just down the road from Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in northcentral Montana, and he believes that the U.S. Government must uphold its treaty and trust responsibilities to Indian Country.
As a senior member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Jon has worked closely with Tribal nations to expand resources at the Indian Health Service, increase investments in Tribal schools, and secure resources and expand jurisdiction for Tribal Law Enforcement agencies.
Jon has led the charge in the fight against the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis by pushing the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to pass bills focusing on addressing violence in Indian Country.
Jon has a long history of advocating for strengthening Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, and he is making sure that Tribal leaders have the tools they need to increase opportunity and boost local economies.
Jon regularly visits each Montana Indian Reservation, sits down with Tribal leaders and families, and brings their concerns straight back to the Senate.
Regardless of whether the debate is about health care, education, or infrastructure, Jon is always pushing to empower Native voices, and make sure they have a seat at the table.
Related News
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January 27, 2020| View More
Tester Celebrates Little Shell Recognition After More Than 100 Years of Tribal Efforts
U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement celebrating the commemoration of federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians:
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January 15, 2020| View More
Tester Urges FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs to Expedite Search for Selena Not Afraid
U.S. Senator Jon Tester today urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to expedite their efforts to find Selena Not Afraid, who went missing on January 1, 2020 near a rest stop on Interstate 90 between Billings and Hardin.
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January 13, 2020| View More
HAVRE DAILY NEWS: Tester secures $1M for Rocky Boy Head Start
The office of Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced Friday he secured secured more than $1 million for Head Start programs on Rocky Boy’s Reservation.
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January 3, 2020| View More
VOICE OF AMERICA: The Little Shell Chippewa Tribe of Montana is Homeless No More
For decades, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana have lived in a state of neitherness — neither completely Native American nor non-Native American. But last month, its 5,400 members received a gift they have waited decades for -- federal recognition. The Little Shell …
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December 20, 2019| View More
President Signs Little Shell Recognition Into Law After Tester, Daines, Gianforte Efforts
Following more than a century of efforts by Tribal members and dedicated efforts by U.S. Senators Jon Tester, Steve Daines, and Congressman Greg Gianforte, federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians officially became law today after President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
