Endless opportunities as tribal liaison with Labor and Industry

As we close out National Native American Heritage Month, I would like to introduce myself and my new role as the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s (DLI) first tribal liaison. My name is Donnie Wetzel Jr. I come from the Blackfeet Nation on my father’s side and Missoula/Bitterroot as a seventh-generation Montanan on my mother’s side, and it is an honor to serve Montana in this role.  

Over the last month, I’ve received an abundance of information about this work and the limitless possibilities it can bring to our youth and workforce. I’ve found respectful curiosities among my new coworkers with an eagerness to learn more from our Tribal Nations as we come together for a better Montana. Many things can happen when you extend a handshake and build relationships and understandings while sharing resources to achieve a goal. Building those relationships is the core of my work as DLI’s Tribal Liaison.  

I would like to shout out our Tribal Nations, and the skills they hold as we work to better connect our tribes and the state. We have eight sovereign nations within Montana and an untapped wealth of traditional knowledge and understanding unique to each of them. There is an uptick in Indian Country of tribal people celebrating their identity through land-based teachings, fashion, music, artistry, entertainment, language, tourism, outfitting and education. Interest is high across the country as tribal culture is revitalized and healing continues. I have seen the positive force when tribal and Western philosophies join to improve our way of life, and our efforts in DLI will move in that direction, as we work in co-existence to build a stronger Montana.  

Within the DLI, there are endless opportunities for everyone as career development comes with a clear purpose and those eager to learn may better understand what their energy and effort can produce. It’s been my honor to work with our youth for the past 20 years, and they’ve often asked me “why.” Why should I learn this? What will it do for me? DLI answers these questions with programs like Jobs for Montana’s Graduates and Montana Registered Apprenticeship, providing pathways to career development, technology, trades, and entrepreneurship. These hands-on experiences allow our youth to cultivate valuable skills, empowering them to pursue their passions and achieve success in a variety of chosen endeavors. The outreach for this is happening and connections are being made, but it is just the beginning. If you are a program in the workforce within the state or the tribes, please reach out, and let’s build bridges together. 

  Montana is our home, where our families participate in the rivalries of sports, farm and ranch, hit the slopes, dance at pow-wows, race horses, and hunt the finest animals in the world. My father once told me that people come to our great state for the mountains, the rivers, and the Indians. The interest in our state is heightening every year and after watching the success of “Yellowstone ™,” my father may have been on to something. Outsiders are curious and want to connect to this beautiful place and understand our tough people who enjoy the two seasons of harsh winter and road construction. It is within us, this land and experience. We all have more in common than we often realize. 

In this role as the Tribal Liaison for DLI and under the guidance of Commissioner Sarah Swanson and this stellar team, we will listen, learn, and work toward a collaborative effort between the Department and the Tribal Nations. State efforts will grow with the addition of more tribal voices in the field of careers, trades, and tech jobs for the future. Montana will strengthen as a beacon of collaboration and progress for all its residents, regardless of their cultural background. Have a great holiday season and let’s hope the Cats and Griz football teams can meet again in the playoffs! To partner in this work, please contact me at 406-444-3830 or [email protected].  

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Donald Wentzel is tribal liaison for Montana Department of Labor and Industry.