WATCH: Tim Sheehy Protested at Billings Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 23, 2024

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Nearly 50 Montanans called out Tim Sheehy at his event with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
 

Helena, MT – Yesterday, Tim Sheehy was met with nearly 50 protesters at his campaign event in Billings following reporting that he made disparaging comments about Native Americans, claiming that members of the Crow Tribe threw beer cans at his head and were “drunk at 8 A.M.” 

Headlining the event was South Dakota’s Governor Kristi Noem, who “has been banned from entering the lands of all nine tribes in South Dakota.” 

Amanda Peterman, former Sen. Steve Daines staffer, told local press: “I stand here today because I see these young people... these young boys and girls. And I'm holding a baby... That they don't grow up believing that that is what the American politicians think of Native American people and Native American children. We need better and we deserve better.”

See the coverage below: 

NonStop Local: Senate candidate Tim Sheehy holds rally in Billings while protestors gather outside event
By Diane Casanova
September 22, 2024

• On Sunday afternoon, Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy hosted a rally at a private hangar near the airport in Billings. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem attended as a special guest.
   

• Outside the hangar, a group of protestors gathered. They were calling for Sheehy to address comments he allegedly made about Crow people during fundraising events last year.
   

• Recordings shared by a tribal newspaper appeared to capture Sheehy discussing his relationship with Crow people while alluding to negative cultural stereotypes.
   

• Sheehy has not acknowledged the reports or responded to requests for comments.
   

• Protestors Lance Four-Star and Amanda Peterman voiced their concerns. Four-Star emphasized the need for an apology.
   

• "It's very important that Tim Sheehy does bring himself to a point in his life where he asks for forgiveness. And myself in recovery, absolutely would forgive him. I'm a human being, he's a human being, and that's what we do, we make mistakes. We all make mistakes. And if that was a sincere mistake, and he can bring himself down to admit it was a mistake, I would forgive him," Four-Star said.
   

• Peterman highlighted the impact of Sheehy's remarks on younger generations.
   

• "I stand here today because I see these young people... these young boys and girls. And I'm holding a baby... That they don't grow up believing that that is what the American politicians think of Native American people and Native American children. We need better and we deserve better," Peterman said.
   

• Attempts to reach Sheehy's campaign for a comment on the protestor's concerns remain unanswered.

Billings Gazette: Sheehy campaigns with Noem, Tester energizes door-knockers as election nears
By Holly Michels, Chris Jorgensen, Nora Mabie
September 22, 2024

• In Billings, Sheehy’s event was met with a protest from Native Americans and self-described allies voicing frustrations about comments Sheehy made about the Crow Tribe recently.
   

• Late last month, the Char-Koosta News, an outlet run by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, released audio clips from fundraising events in which Sheehy said, “A great way to bond with all the Indians is being out there while they’re drunk at 8 a.m., and you’re roping together.”
   

• During a subsequent fundraiser, Sheehy also said people at a Crow Fair parade threw beer cans at him while he rode on a horse promoting his campaign.
   

• The Crow Reservation prohibits the sale of alcohol. Politicians are frequent guests in Crow Fair parades and often ride horseback along with tribal leaders and members of law enforcement and the military.
   

• Many Native Americans participating at Sunday's protest in Billings said they have attended Crow parades throughout their lives and consider them sacred events.
   

• "That beer can bull is totally made up, a total lie," said Lucy Real Bird, a member of the Crow Tribe and president of the Montana chapter of the American Indian Movement. "I've gone to parades my whole life, 44 winters on this earth, and I've never heard of anything like that ever happening. It's a holy gathering."
   

• Many of the Native protestors in Billings on Sunday wore red armbands and carried signs calling Sheehy a racist, and saying "white supremacy will no longer be tolerated."
   

• Many found Sheehy's pairing with South Dakota's Noem especially provocative and a further insult to Native Americans. Noem has been banned from entering the lands of all nine tribes in South Dakota.
   

• In January, Noem alleged “murders are being committed by cartel members on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City, and a gang called 'Ghost Dancers' are affiliated with those cartels.” She added that cartels have recruited tribal members, according to The Associated Press. Tribal leaders disputed Noem’s claim, and in February, the Oglala Sioux Tribe banned the governor from the Pine Ridge Reservation. Last May, Noem angered many around the world when in her new book she described killing her unruly young hunting dog.

MTN News: Protesters are making sure Tim Sheehy hears their dissatisfaction
September 22, 2024

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