Jennifer Porter

Jennifer Porter
Tribal chair of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
Assumed office
2005
Preceded by Gary Aitken, Sr.
Personal details
Born c. 1974
Navajo Nation, Fort Defiance
Nationality American
Children Three children

Jennifer Porter is the current tribal chair of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.[1] She was born in Navajo Nation in Fort Defiance and is half Navajo and half Kootenai.[2] She replaced her uncle on the Kootenai Tribal Council when she was 23. Porter has promoted educational and cultural programs, including a computer program to teach students words from the Kutenai language.[3] She has three children, two of whom attend the Boundary County School District public school.

Porter has been active in efforts to save the Kootenai River white sturgeon.[4]

The Kootenai River white sturgeon, threatened by dam operations, water quality degradation and loss of habitat, was listed as endangered on September 6, 1994. The adult population has been decreasing at an estimated rate of 9 percent per year. Restoration efforts in recent years have focused on managing Libby Dam to mimic spring flow conditions that are hoped to assist the sturgeon to again successfully reproduce ... Kootenai Tribal Chairperson Jennifer Porter adds that "we're hoping our comprehensive project will lead to a healthy ecosystem and the return of our Kootenai resources."[5]

In 2009, she signed an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection "to develop an enhanced tribal card for the purpose of crossing the border with the U.S. and Canada."[6] In January 2012, the Kootenai Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC) was designated "as a travel document acceptable for entering into the United States through a land or sea port of entry."[7]

The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho is also one of seven bands of the Kootenai Nation, with two in the United States and five in Canada. Under the current agreement, only members of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho can be issued an ETC.

“We are proud of our partnership with CBP that has led to the issuance of the Kootenai ETC,” said Kootenai Tribal Chairperson Jennifer Porter. “The Kootenai ETC allows our tribal citizens to continue to travel within Kootenai Territory on both sides of the United States-Canada boundary to visit family and practice our culture while helping to secure the border for the greater good of all citizens.”[6]

Quote

"In the old days, everyone who was born had a purpose, but that belief had faded away some over the years. Now we are working with our kids to re-instill that mindset. We want our future to remain strong and to continue to move forward ..."[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Kootenai Tribe of Idaho". Retrieved 2006-10-22.
  2. ↑ Cohn, R.J. (December 16, 2008). "Kootenai Tribal Chair Stresses Education for Tribe's Future". Boundary County Digest.
  3. ↑ Golder, Julie (November 23, 2011). "Porter passionate about education, Kootenai culture". Bonners Ferry Herald.
  4. ↑ "Restoring the Kootenai River". The River Journal. 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  5. ↑ "The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, State of Montana, Federal Agencies and Conservation Groups reach historic agreement to save Kootenai River white sturgeon". US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008-09-02. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  6. 1 2 "CBP and Idaho's Kootenai Tribe Sign Memorandum of Agreement to Develop Enhanced Tribal Card". CBP NewsPhotos. 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  7. ↑ "CBP Designates Kootenai Tribe’s Enhanced Tribal Card as Acceptable Travel Document". CBP.gov. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  8. ↑ "Native Village Opportunities" (199). 2009-05-15. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
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