Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester currently have a historic opportunity to create many green jobs in Native American communities and also fight global warming/pollution by supporting comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation which includes specific equitable tribal provisions. I’m counting on our senators to pass a strong bill which will safeguard Native American country, Native American peoples and our natural resources.

As a member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux Tribes, which suffer from the effects of global warming, I realize the urgency to have legislation swiftly put into place. Equally important, climate legislation could help provide tribes with the support and resources to protect our culture and biological resources needed to adapt in a warmer world.

The good news is that strong climate and energy legislation will open the door to economic recovery, creating opportunities for green energy, green jobs and energy efficiency on our reservations. A clean energy and climate bill will increase American’s (including the first American’s) health, safety and prosperity by cutting pollution before effects get worse, reducing America’s dangerous dependence on foreign oil and helping to create millions of jobs in homegrown, clean technology.

We cannot allow the scare tactics and deep pockets of special interests or false science to keep us from the reality of global warming. President Obama has repeatedly called for comprehensive climate and energy legislation — now all eyes are on the Senate to pass a bill and send it to Obama for his signature. The time for action is now.

Clover Anaquod

Missoula