My name is Stephen Winn Lozar.

I am the Polson district councilman.  I have been on Tribal Council for six weeks and am running again in December.  For years and years, I’ve wanted to be a Tribal Council member.  I have a desire to serve. When the opportunity came up, I took it right away.  Being on Council allows me to get away from everyday life and hang out with other councilmen.

I grew up in St Ignatius, 1949. Dixon was my hometown; I also grew up on different reservations. I went to junior high school in Polson.

I am an artist and screen printer by trade.  I’ve been involved with and taught in tribal education for 10 years and involved in career education in two different districts. I’ve also been a logger.  My Tribal affiliation is Salish, Kootenai and Assinaboine.

For the Tribes, I started the Highway 93 program for Indian flaggers. I directed Indian education, and I served three terms on the Polson school board.  In my spare time, I’ve been writing a book on the brewing history of Montana, and I play senior league hockey.

My fondest memories: the thrill each time one of my six kids was born.  I have good sports memories.  And when I transferred from Indian school to art school in California, once I had four touchdown passes, ran two touchdowns and kicked four other points.  I have fond memories of coming back and visiting with family. 

I’m a Democrat; there is good philosophy in the Green party. I am a fourth generation Democrat.  I am married to the same girl I met in high school and college.  Of my six kids, the oldest passed away in 1992. The other five are grown up; three of them are college graduates and two are in college now. 

I admire three to five Tribal council members: first, Sonny Morigeau for 30 years of service; I also admired Rhonda Swaney, Mickey Pablo, Walter Morigeau and Walter McDonald. There have been some great guys and ladies.

I look to family for advice, and recently I’ve asked elders; I have listened to a couple of good friends since the 1960s; my best friend who was in detention in 1964. 

In 10 to 20 years on the Reservation, I see a lot of change yet it being the same.  Home is a nurturing place that is special to our heart, whether you’re gone from here a day or a year as soon as you see those mountains you’re relieved and happy to know you’re finally back home, and in 10 years my generation will have to step back and let the next generation take control.

Important issues facing the Tribes?  The first one is the health care issue; it is gigantic, and second education. They fall hand in hand.

Outside the Tribes, our biggest ally is the new governor who has hired lots of Native Americans; this seems to be the publics’ opinion rather than just one persons’. 

The biggest issues I have had to deal with as a Tribal Council member have been money and resources, Kerr Dam, benefits, and making the Tribe is self sufficient. 

My biggest personal achievements are my six kids.  I would like people to know that I am a caring person and that I try to make things better for people.  Twenty years from now I would like people to know that I was a fair person.

A future leader should have honesty and be able to see the big picture and have a sense of humor.  I have supported Tribal youth and their education by working in education for 12 years.  I ran Tribal education and Tribal summer recreation programs, and I’ve just been there to listen to them. 

My advice for youth comes from an old hockey saying: “Keep your head up and stick down,” and always be prepared.