Child welfare, language preservation, Indigenous Peoples Day among major bills passed with support from Native advocates and lawmakers.
HELENA, Mont. — The 69th Montana Legislative Session wrapped up this week with several significant legislative advances for Native communities, following months of collaboration between lawmakers and grassroots organizations.
Western Native Voice, a Montana-based nonprofit focused on Native civic engagement and leadership development, worked closely with the Montana American Indian Caucus to help guide a focused policy agenda through the session. Among the key bills passed were updates to the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act (MICWA), reauthorization of Native language preservation programs, reforms addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis, and a bill to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples Day.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming into the 69th legislative session,” said Keaton Sunchild, Political Director at Western Native Voice. “But we were able to form a strong coalition early on that enabled us to pass meaningful legislation that will help Indian Country for generations. And at long last, we finally got Indigenous Peoples Day to the governor’s desk.”
All bills referenced now await the governor’s signature.
Policy Wins Reflect Ongoing Advocacy
The session’s outcomes reflect years of organizing and public education led by Native communities across Montana. Updates to MICWA provide stronger protections for tribal placement in child welfare cases, with added requirements for non-Native guardians to help children maintain cultural ties when placed outside of tribal homes.
Bills strengthening Indian Education for All (IEFA) and renewing the Montana Indian Language Preservation Program were also passed, emphasizing tribal partnerships in curriculum development and language instruction. These efforts are part of long-term investment in Native youth leadership programs and the preservation of cultural knowledge.
Addressing the MMIP Crisis
Legislators also moved forward with reforms addressing the MMIP crisis. One bill restructures the state task force into an ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Advisory Council, adds a dedicated investigator, and commits more state resources to unsolved cases. These changes reflect growing recognition of the crisis’ impact, particularly in rural Native communities.
Cultural Recognition: Indigenous Peoples Day
Senate Bill 224, which would recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day, passed with broad bipartisan support. The measure does not eliminate Columbus Day but allows space for Montanans to formally acknowledge Indigenous histories and cultures. Its passage followed years of advocacy by Native leaders and organizations, including Western Native Voice.
Grassroots Participation Makes the Difference
In addition to behind-the-scenes advocacy, Western Native Voice brought more than 20 people to the state capitol during the session as part of its Native Rising event and Lobby Days. These events gave members, many from rural Native communities, the opportunity to meet with legislators, learn how laws are made, and testify on issues directly impacting their lives.
“Showing up matters,” said Sunchild. “When our members walk into the Capitol and speak for themselves, it puts faces and stories to the bills under debate. It reminds lawmakers that we’re not just statistics—we’re families, leaders, and voters.”
These civic engagement efforts reflect Western Native Voice’s broader commitment to Native American public policy education, tribal community empowerment, and preparing a new generation of leaders to shape Montana’s future.
A Continued Commitment
“I’m looking forward to working with our members, communities, and elected officials in the interim to come up with more meaningful legislation for 2027,” Sunchild added. “We also will be working to keep an eye on what is happening at the federal level and making sure our members are being put in a position to be successful in life.”
As the state awaits final approval on the bills passed this session, Western Native Voice remains focused on building momentum. The session may be over, but the work continues—in classrooms, homes, and community centers across the state.