Tester Celebrates the Strong and Vibrant Tribal Communities of Montana on American Indian Heritage Day

(SIDNEY, Mont.) – In observance of Montana’s American Indian Heritage Day, Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement:

“Montana’s tribes are an important part of our community. Our state is home to eight proud tribal nations that I have the privilege to represent and fight for in the U.S. Senate. Today is an opportunity for folks to pause and recognize the significant and ongoing contributions these tribes make to Montana and our need to honor our everlasting obligations to them.”

Tester has held more than twenty hearings in the Senate on critical Native American issues since assuming chairmanship of the Indian Affairs Committee earlier this year. He has concentrated on land issues such as the Cobell Settlement, health care challenges and education reform. He also sponsored the Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act to promote the academic achievement of Native American children through the preservation of Native languages.