U.S. SENATE (NMB) – U.S. Senator Steve Daines on Tuesday voted in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to advance a variety of priorities for Montana tribes, including the federal recognition of the Little Shell tribe.
The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act grants the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa federal recognition and Daines reintroduced the bill earlier this year.
Daines said, “It’s long overdue that the Little Shell Tribe receives federal recognition. I’m pleased with this progress today and I’ll continue to push with my colleagues to finally get this done so the people off the Little Shell received the recognition and support they deserve.”
Daines also voted to advance the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, which would clarify that the definition of “employers” in the National Labor Relations Act includes federally-recognized tribal government employer on tribally-owned land.
Chairman of the Chippewa Cree Tribe Harlan Baker said, “We commend Senator Daines for his support of the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. The TLSA would provide parity for all Indian tribes by ensuring that tribal government employers have the same opportunities as all other governmental employers to regulate labor relations with their government workforces.”
