Sharon Stewart-Peregoy

Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (born June 3, 1953) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives. She was first elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2017, and represents House District 42. From 2009 to 2017, she served in Montana Senate, and represented Senate District 21, which included Crow Agency, Montana.[1] She was a member of the Senate's American Indian Caucus.[2] She received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Montana State University and a Master of Education from City University at Seattle.[2][3] She actively advocates for the revitalization of the Crow language and culture.[4]

Sharon Stewart-Peregoy
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 42nd district
Assumed office
January 2, 2017
Preceded byCarolyn Pease-Lopez
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 21st district
In office
January 5, 2009 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byGerald Pease
Succeeded byJason Small
Personal details
Born (1953-06-03) June 3, 1953 (age 70)
Crow Agency, Montana
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Crow Agency, Montana
Alma materCity University of Seattle

In 2009,[2] Stewart-Peregoy became an adjunct professor at Little Big Horn College as a Crow Studies instructor and advocated for more use of the Crow language as part of the planning committee for a new cultural museum in 2021.[5]

Politics edit

Though the legislature's policy is to speak in English only, Stewart-Peregoy chose to be sworn in in the Crow language. She joined the American Indian Caucus, which at the time totaled nine members including Stewart-Peregoy.[2]

In the legislature, Stewart-Peregoy has focused on topics including the disproportionate disappearance and domestic violence rates of Indigenous peoples in Montana.[6]

Stewart-Peregoy has served on the following legislative committee assignments:[7][8]

Senate:

  • 2009: Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation; Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs; Energy and Telecommunications
  • 2011: Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation (Vice Chair); Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs; Education and Cultural Resources
  • 2013: Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation; Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs; Education and Cultural Resources; Ethics
  • 2015: Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation; Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs; Education and Cultural Resources

House:

  • 2017: Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation; Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs; Education and Cultural Resources
  • 2019: Business and Labor (Vice Chair); Rules; Energy, Telecommunications, and Federal Relations; Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
  • 2021: Appropriations; House Rules; General Government

Early career and personal life edit

Prior to politics, Stewart-Peregoy worked in kindergarten and elementary education before becoming a research and development specialist for the tribe.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Montana Legislature. "SHARON STEWART-PEREGOY (D)". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e Rave, Jodi. "Peregoy has her eye on education". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  3. ^ Project Vote Smart. "Senator Sharon S Stewart-Peregoy (MT)". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  4. ^ CrowNews.net. "Senate District 21 Candidate Profiles". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  5. ^ Nicholson, Cornelia. "Little Big Horn College working to open new cultural center and museum". KULR-8 Local News. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  6. ^ Aadl, Chris (2021-01-22). "'Keep hope alive'". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  7. ^ "Sharon Stewart-Peregoy". Montana State Legislature. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  8. ^ "Sharon Stewart-Peregoy". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
Montana Senate
Preceded by Member of the Montana Senate
from the 21st district

2009-2016
Succeeded by