Salish Kootenai College honors Windy Boy

Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy has received the Distinguished Service Award from Salish Kootenai College on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

The college pointed to the Box Elder Democrat's support for legislation that aids tribal colleges and his authorship of bills that will help preserve native languages.

Former Tribal President Joe McDonald called Windy Boy “somebody who has gone above and beyond to do something for the tribal communities.”

He pointed to Windy Boy’s support for legislation to provide tribal colleges with more support for non-Indian students.

An increasing number of non-Indians are taking courses at tribal colleges, he said.

Salish Kootenai College has a non-Indian enrollment of nearly 50 percent, he said, yet Montana was not providing as much support for non-Native students as Indians.

Several years ago, when he was in the Montana House, the Democrats had 50 members, Republicans 49, and there was one independent, McDonald recalled.

Against the odds, Windy Boy convinced one Republican to join the Democrats, so there were enough votes to support the measure.

“Sometimes he gets in trouble with the Democratic caucus,” McDonald said. “Sometimes he gets in trouble with the Native American caucus,” he added. “But he does the right thing He’s an independent. He votes the way he thinks is best.”

“I was surprised and humbled to receive the award,” Windy Boy said.

His sprawling district extends from Rocky Boy east to Glasgow and includes Fort Peck, Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy reservations.

“I’m glad somebody is paying attention to my work,” he said.