"I am troubled by the trend of inadequate responses to these types of situations,” Tester wrote. “We cannot hope to solve the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic if we do not address how law enforcement initially responds in these cases."

Hanna’s Act is awaiting its first committee hearing.

Education

Native legislators are also focused on education legislation this session. Windy Boy has drafted a number of bills aimed at preserving Indigenous languages in the state. HB 33 would extend the Indian Preservation Program that was enacted in 2013. Windy Boy said out of 7,000 enrolled members of his tribe, about 100 are fluent in Cree language.

“If we see the loss of our Native languages, we’re going to see the extinction of that history from our land,” Windy Boy said.

Meanwhile, Stewart Peregoy has introduced HB 18, which would increase a school district’s funding to help teach English learners. It would create programs in schools for students who have low English proficiency. While this bill would help anyone learning English as a second language in Montana schools, Stewart Peregoy said the most concentrated need is on reservations.