Rynalea Whiteman Pena
Rynalea Whiteman Pena | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 41st district | |
| In office January 4, 2021 – January 2, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Rae Peppers |
| Succeeded by | Paul Green |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Chief Dull Knife College, (AA) |
Rynalea Whiteman Pena is an American politician and tribal leader. She served as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 41st district.[1] Elected in November 2020, she assumed office on January 4, 2021.
Early life and education
Whiteman Pena was raised in Lame Deer, Montana. She earned an associate of arts degree in early childhood education from Chief Dull Knife College.[1]
Career
Prior to entering politics, Whiteman Pena worked as a transportation manager. In a 2019 special election, she was elected as tribal president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, replacing Jace Killsback who resigned from the position in October 2018.[2][3] As president, she managed the reservation response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] She petitioned the Montana Congressional delegation to formally investigate neglect by Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement in response to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis.[5][6]
She was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in November 2020 and assumed office on January 4, 2021, succeeding Rae Peppers, who had vacated her office to run for Montana State Senate.[7] While in the house, Whiteman Pena was on the House Legislative Administration Committee, the Transportation Committee, the Agriculture Committee, and the Business and Labor Committee.[8] She was one of twelve Montana congresspeople on the 2021 Montana American Indian Caucus.[9]
In 2022, she lost re-election to Montana State House District 41 to Paul Green, a Republican, 43.1%-56.9%, with 930 votes to Green's 1,230.[10]
Personal life
Whiteman Pena lost her brother to COVID-19 in 2020.[11] In 2021, her niece, Deanna Limberhand, was found dead in Stillwater River. Though the official cause of death was drowning, Whiteman Pena and her family suspected foul play, as Limberhand was found badly beaten and hogtied.[12][13]
References
- 1 2 "Copper Book: Lawmakers of Montana, Legislative Session of 2021". Montana State Legislature. Montana Legislative Services Division. 2021. p. 62. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ↑ Lutey, Tom (January 11, 2019). "Whiteman Pena wins Northern Cheyenne presidency". Billings Gazette. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Jay, David (January 14, 2019). "New Northern Cheyenne president looks for unity". Q2 News (KTVQ). Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Radio, Yellowstone Public (August 11, 2020). "Northern Cheyenne Under Lockdown Due To Coronavirus Surge". YPR. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Caufield, Clara (August 17, 2020). "Native Sun News Today: Northern Cheyenne request Congressional investigation into BIA law enforcement". Indianz. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Caufield, Clara (July 29, 2020). "Lawlessness and violence at Northern Cheyenne - Native Sun News Today". Native Sun News Today. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ "MT-Dem-StHou-Contested". AP NEWS. June 3, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ↑ "Rep. Rynalea Whiteman Pena, HD 41 | 2021 Montana Capitol Tracker". Montana Free Press. 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ "2021 Montana American Indian Caucus" (PDF). Governor's Office of Indian Affairs. February 26, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Montana State House - District 41 Election Results". Marshfield News-Herald. January 12, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Mayer, Audrey (November 17, 2020). "Northern Cheyenne Nation inaugurates seven women to tribal council". NonStop Local Billings. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Hauter, Alina (January 18, 2022). "Lame Deer family pleads for awareness after one of their own is killed". Q2 News (KTVQ). Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Hauter, Alina (July 21, 2022). "Lame Deer family seeks closure one year after body was found in Stillwater River". Q2 News (KTVQ). Retrieved May 1, 2026.