James (he/him/his) grew up on the Quinault, Coeur D’ Alene and his home Flathead Reservations. He has been a member of the Pride Foundations Montana Leadership Action Team and scholarship review. Also, he served as the staff advisor for the Salish Kootenai College’s GSA – Spirit of Many Colors.
James holds an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Montana. He served on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council from 2004 to 2012 and again in 2017. In January of 2006 he was elected Tribal Council Chairman and was re-elected in 2007 and he served a total of 9 years on the tribal council representing the Arlee and St Ignatius districts. He has served on many nonprofit boards, state, and tribal policy boards. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Montana Budget Policy Center Board and is a board member of Energy Keepers Inc. He is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation. He lives on his family’s ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana.
Favorite Quote: “If The White Man Wants To Live In Peace With The Indian He Can Live In Peace. There Need Be No Trouble. Treat All Men Alike. Give Them All The Same Law. Give Them All An Even Chance To Live And Grow. All Men Were Made By The Same Great Spirit Chief. They Are All Brothers. The Earth Is The Mother Of All People, And All People Should Have Equal Rights Upon It.” – Chief Joseph Nez Perce
Favorite Place in the Northwest: The view of tribally owned Mission Mountains from my living room.