Downing Meets With TEB In Poplar
Congressman Troy Downing visited with members of the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board in Poplar on Thursday, Aug. 13. The Congressman was traveling through eastern Montana as part of his district work period and wanted to meet directly with Fort Peck Tribal leadership to hear about the issues affecting the reservation.
The meeting focused on veterans’ access to health care and housing, industry and economic development and other federal concerns affecting the community.
“I appreciated the opportunity to sit down with Fort Peck Tribal leadership and hear directly about the issues affecting the community,” Downing told this newspaper. Downing is currently serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Montana’s second congressional district.
TEB member George Blount said it’s critical to meet with leaders directly.
“Congressman Downing’s visit was an important opportunity for our Tribal Executive Board to speak directly about the issues affecting our people,” Blount said. “We appreciated the chance to discuss veterans’ access to quality health care and housing, as well as economic development and the federal policies that impact our community. These face-toface conversations matter because they give us an opportunity to make sure the voices and priorities of our people are heard in Washington.”
TEB member Roxanne Gourneau said the meeting was sincere and effective. “Congressman Downing along with his team showed us a side that we as a tribe are rarely given,” Gourneau said. She added the congressman and his team listened to discussion of issues rarely covered during campaign season. “Our topics were many, specific to our tribe and northeast Montana,” she said. “We don’t receive equal access to many opportunities that our tribe, membership and communities are eligible to receive.”
Gourneau said the state’s congressional delegation could do more to create economic development on the reservation. “We requested his assistance in working with us to open corridors to social and economic growth that does not reach our area. The State of Montana is a key player in much of this movement but comparatively distribution is not equitable in our dealings. Our struggle for true consultation to develop long-term sustainable growth is still a challenge. We as a tribe acknowledge that we can and will improve government to government relationships to serve our populations, but in order to do so, we have to be met with equal regard.”
Downing added after the visit, “We had a productive conversation about veterans’ access to care and housing, along with industry and other federal concerns. I look forward to continuing to work with tribal leaders on the priorities that matter to Fort Peck.”
