HELENA, Mont. — Conservationist and Aaniiih tribal member Misty Kuhl has taken over as the head of Montana’s Department of Indian Affairs under the new administration of Republican Governor Greg Gianforte.
Kuhl previously served as the director for Native American outreach at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., as well as a tribal liaison and field representative for Gianforte during his time in Congress.
She brings “decades of experience working with Native communities” to the table, according to an announcement of Kuhl’s appointment.
Kuhl said she was “excited” to build on the work of outgoing department head Jason Smith, while also addressing the needs created by the spread of COVID-19 in tribal communities.
The pandemic has revealed the strength of Native communities, Kuhl said, but also has exposed areas where the tribes need more assistance.
“This last year has exposed how vulnerable, and yet resilient, our communities truly are. We have experienced devastating losses, including our treasured elders and youth to suicide. And still, our beautiful Native people remain strong,” Kuhl said in an email to Tribal Business News. “In the next few years, one focus of mine will be on partnering with Tribal communities to address mental health, addiction, and wellness, which is an issue very important to Governor Gianforte.”
Gianforte said appointing Kuhl was part of a “promise” made to Indian Country during his campaign.
“Misty shares my commitment to create new partnerships and build stronger bridges with our eight tribal nations,” Governor Gianforte said in a statement. “I campaigned on the promise of bringing new and greater opportunities to Indian country, and I look forward to working with Misty and our tribal leaders to deliver.”
Kuhl said she planned to maintain and review existing grant programs and state assistance to tribes to ensure the help was going where it was needed.
Montana currently has multiple programs giving aid to tribal nations through its Office of Indian Country Economic Development. Those include the Tribal Business Planning Grant, the Native American Business Advisor Grant, the Indian Equity Fund Grant, and Native American Collateral Support programs, for example.
“Governor Gianforte desires to partner with tribes to explore ways of bringing economic development to our tribes if they choose. There are myriad examples of tribes whose communities have been transformed through economic development,” Kuhl said. “Those transformations include drastic improvements in health care, education, employment and a vast reduction in poverty. We will look for opportunities to build bridges between tribes and potential entities interested in investing us.”
Montana is currently home to 12 federally recognized tribes spread over seven reservations across the state. For Montana to be successful economically, the tribal nations must also be successful, Kuhl said.
“Our Native people have a very significant impact on Montana’s success. Montana would not be Montana without our Native people,” Kuhl said. “We contribute greatly to Montana’s tourism revenue, people from all over the world come to see us.
“We shop, work, and play here, which, especially in rural communities, is economically beneficial for our neighbors. I’m looking forward to highlighting success from our Native nations and sharing those good stories with the entire state.”
So far, tribes seem pleased with Gianforte’s decision to appoint Kuhl.
“We feel she will be a great addition to the Governor’s team, especially in the Office of Indian Affairs,” Gerald Gray, chairman of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, said in a statement.
Andy Werk, Jr., president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community, echoed the sentiment.
“[W]e … look forward to continue working to uphold tribal sovereignty,” Werk stated. “Ms. Kuhl understands the critical responsibility of maintaining strong government-to-government relationships between the Tribes and the State.”
