Tester statement on re-affirmation of federal trust responsibility to tribes

(PABLO, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, today released the following statement after meeting with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Ron Trahan. Jewell today issued an order re-affirming the federal government’s trust responsibility to America’s tribes:

“Honoring our treaty obligations will support Indian Country’s efforts to promote economic development, create jobs and improve quality of life. I appreciate Secretary Jewell re-affirming our federal trust responsibility to tribes and Indian beneficiaries. Good work is being done in Indian Country, but tribes must have the tools they need to strengthen their economies and meet health and education needs. I will keep working with all parties to make Indian Country all that it can be.”

Tester, Jewell and Trahan today discussed the progress of the land buy-back program and economic development in Indian Country. They also toured Kerr Dam.