Tribal Affairs

I am proud of Idaho's vibrant history. Part of what makes up Idaho's culture is that it is home to five Native American Tribes: the Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock, and Shoshone-Paiute. They helped shape our state and national history, their perspectives help guide advancements and each Tribe is important to Idaho’s future.

Thousands of Native Americans lived in the territory that would eventually become Idaho. We owe much of our heritage to those who came before us. It is impossible to change the negative events that have occurred in the past, but it is possible to learn from them and to take measures to ensure that they are never repeated. Thankfully, the difficult relationship that once existed between the United States government and Native Americans has improved into one that is amenable and productive. I often have the opportunity to collaborate with Idaho Tribal leaders and members on a variety of federal issues and Bureau of Indian Affairs programs. In Idaho, the partnership and counsel of Tribal officials is vital to a number of resource and economic issues, ranging from salmon to land use to our environment.

Throughout my time in public service I have regularly supported policies that effectively address the government’s unique trust relationship with tribal members. To the north, near the Canadian border, the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative is a long time Kootenai Tribe-community partnership working together to preserve the water, forest and wildlife resources in the Kootenai Valley. I've worked with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe in its successful effort to establish a comprehensive health and wellness center in Plummer and also worked hand-in-hand as they address the problem of domestic violence in local communities. In southeastern Idaho I have been working with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, affected property owners and local government to find agreement on reservation boundary concerns. In southwestern Idaho, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes have been a critical partner in the development of the Owyhee Initiative, a comprehensive land management plan that provided funding to protect Native American cultural sites. More recently, I cosponsored the 2025 Native American Seeds Act which aims to protect Native American seeds and agricultural practices related to these seeds, as well as the Native Women’s History Month resolution. I greatly value my relationships with Idaho’s Native American Tribes and I consistently seek opportunities to protect American Indian culture and way of life, ensure access to essential services, spur economic development on tribal lands, and affirm the sovereignty of our tribal partners.