Tester Names Michael LaValley as New Native American Liaison

(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester has hired Michael LaValley as his new Native American Liaison.

LaValley is a Blackfeet American Indian with deep roots on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation where most of his family currently resides. LaValley joins Tester’s staff after spending the past year working as the Wilma Mankiller Legislative Fellow for the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C.

“I am excited that Michael is on board to help serve folks in Indian Country,” Tester said. “Michael understands our trust responsibility and the critical issues facing Native American families and I know he will work hard to respond to the needs of Montana’s Tribal Nations.”

LaValley was raised in Missoula and graduated from Montana State University-Northern with a degree in Secondary Education-Social Science Broad Field.

While in Havre, LaValley was an Academic All-American as a member of the Northern Lights basketball team.

As Senator Tester’s Native American Liaison, LaValley will work with Montana’s Tribal Nations to address the important issues impacting Native American families including, economic development, health care, education, and energy development. Additionally, LaValley will represent Senator Tester in Montana at important events, hearings, and meetings when Tester is in Washington, D.C.

LaValley replaces Carla Lott, also from the Blackfeet Reservation, who now works for Senator Tester on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

When he is not traveling across Indian Country, LaValley will be working in Tester’s Great Falls Office and he can be reached at 406-452-9585.