The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board denied approval of new technology being used to survey the ground before any kind of construction can happen.

During the December 11, 2023 full board meeting, the council approved of a request from Fort Peck Housing Authority to use Jo’Etta Plumage coming on site with ground penetrating equipment to scan the site for any other artifacts that may be on site at the Bluff Drive construction site to validate whether the site is considered a sacred site or not. If the site is not sacred, then FPHA can continue with their home construction projects.

This same ground penetrating equipment was used by officials in Tulsa after discovering a mass grave in the aftermath of the Tulsa Race Massacre (the so called Tulsa Race Riots). Jewish and Polish educators have also used this equipment in documenting mass graves of murdered Jews from the Holocaust in World War II, particularly at the site of the infamous death camp Treblinka.

Before the vote was taken, Councilwoman Marva Chapman asked about the remains previously discovered and where they were ultimately interned. The Tribes are in the process of making a new grave yard north of Poplar by the airport.

Councilman Bryce Kirk said this was an unconstitutional amendment, because it violates the tenth amendment of the Fort Peck Tribal Constitution.

According to the Tribal Constitution, the Tribal Executive Board has the authority to protect and preserve any cultural or traditional spiritual site on the reservation. This includes stopping any project where human remains have been discovered.

If this resolution passes, it violates the Tribal Constitution, Kirk said.

Councilwoman Roxanne Gourneau said this motion is being made as an extra step to ensure the process of preservation is very thorough.

Councilman Dana Buckles said there was something similar that happened in the 1970’s in Wolf Point when human remains were discovered on the South End and West End. At the time, the remains were gathered and re-interned in another location. Today, it’s a blank land marked with an enclosed fence. No graves or markers are there.

If this is the way things are going to be done, then there would not be all of the homes in Wolf Point’s south and west ends.

Earlier this year Fort Peck Housing Authority was in the process of breaking ground for new house construction when human remains were discovered.

It was later determined these may have been part of a larger find, maybe an old Indian grave yard. An archaeological survey was called for, and the site was closed to any further construction.

Shortly after the find, the Tribal Council at the time approved a measure to protect sacred sites found, and that would include any old Indian burial ground.

At the full board meeting, the vote for the resolution was six for, ans six opposed. The tie was broken by Chairman Justin Gray Hawk, who voted no after telling the council there should have been environmental assessments done. From listening to the discussion, it sounds like this current council is okay with going to a known graveyard and building over them. In the early 70’s, the federal government did not pass the Native American Graves Act, protecting sacred sites from pillaging and destruction.

The motion did not pass.

The following are highlights from the December 11, 2023 meeting.

Faulty Chairs

When Fort Peck Tribal Health took over the dental program from Indian Health Service, one thing that was not shared was the dental chairs were past their warranty but being used anyway.

At the meeting, the council learned the chairs were faulty and they were failing when they were being used to treat dental patients.

In Wolf Point, there are only a few dental chairs to serve the very large American Indian community. To fix this problem it could cost up as much as $46,000.

The program is still experiencing some growing pains.

In Wolf Point, there is one dentist that works five days a week. However there needs to be more done there because there is only one dental hygienist who works part time every week.

A larger facility in Wolf Point is desperately needed.

In a related motion, the council approved the appraisal for 1025 First Avenue in Wolf Point for the purpose of professional housing. A short term lease with James Johnson for the property in the amount of $6,000 for the purpose of housing current dentist Nicholas Meeckfessel. Before the vote was taken Councilwoman Gourneau noted for the record that the Dental Program would be paying the rent.

Dental will be closed for the holidays December 21, through December 25, 2023. The next closure will be January 1 and 2, 2024 for New Years.

Hesitation

Cross deputization requests from various law enforcement agencies come to the council all the time and are usually passed without question.

Except this time.

Of 12 TEB members, only eight voted to approve a cross deputization request from the Wolf Point City Police Department to grant Enrique Morales authority to arrest tribal members.

There were four TEB, Carolyn Brugh, Stacey Summers, Terry Rattling Thunder, and Bryce Kirk, who voted to reject the deputization of Morales. Rattling Thunder said this was in part due to an incident where an officer was accused of forcing a man to crawl at least a half a block in front of the Waterhole Bar.

DES

The Tribes Disaster Emergency Services was given permission to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other entities to pursue funding.

Jail

The council approved hiring Travis Redekopp, Felicia Scott, and Nichole Boyd to permanent positions at the Tribal Adult Jail.

Plates

The Tribal Council approved of supporting the installation and use of Automatic License Plate Recognition devices.

Lance Fourstar, who brought the resolution to the board, said these will be powered for free by MDU and Sheridan Electric.

The resolution stays in place until the TEB makes it an official code.

Destruction Bid

Say goodbye to the aging Wolf Point Head Start Building.

Tribal leaders accepted a bid of $187,910 from W5 Services LLC for the demolition of the Wolf Point Head Start Building.

Planning

Another motion ending in a tie vote was shot down by the council.

The motion was to authorize the preparation of an official letter of intent from the Chairman to the United States Department of Energy office of State and Community Energy Programs which conveys the Tribes intent to apply for an allotted $1.055,448 finances that the Tribes Intent to apply individually, that RJS and Associates is authorized to assist in developing the application for federal assistance including the proposed projects scope of work, budget, etc.

The final vote was six for, six opposed. Chairman Gray Hawk voted no, breaking the tie.

Bonus

The council voted to authorize a $2,000 bonus to be paid for two employees at the Tribal Employment Rights Office.

Audit

Tribal leaders authorized the selection of REDW, LLC to perform the audit of the Tribal gaming operations for the fiscal year that ended in September 21, 2023, with the option to perform the audit for four additional fiscal years and the TEB authorized the continuation of one additional year and the Chairman to sign all documents relating to performance and the audit.

Creation

A Broadband Compliance Manager, Broadband Program Manager, IT Specialist, two tower technicians, and two customer services reps were created for the Tribes growing Information Technology Committee.

With passing this, the council also authorizes the Chairman to sign any documents that are required in the creation and classification of these jobs in order to continue efforts for the 2.5 Ghz Initiative submitted by the IT and Economic Development Committee.

Boards

No more emergency meetings just for the incentives.

The council approved to stopping any and all boards chartered under the Tribes from receiving bonuses and incentives unless authorized by a Tribal Council resolution.

In the past, there was a resolution that allowed incentives and mileage to be paid for all board members when there was an emergency need. This was abused and many times emergency meetings were called when they weren’t needed.

Cultural Advocate

Another position created by the council was the Cultural Advocate.

The new job is with the Language and Culture Department and the new cultural advocate will be hired at Grade 6, Step 1, at $13.94 an hour.

Reclassified

Effective immediately, the council voted to approve the financial managers request reclassification.

The reclassification is in the budget already.

Retention

There is a need for more drivers for Fort Peck Public Transportation.

To help attract more drivers, the council approves a request to a retention bonus for all transit employees. With all of them, the total is $18,000.

Land

Kelly S. Toavs and Brandon Reddig were approved for non enrolled member leases..

Applicants for non-enrolled member lease renewals were approved. These include leases for Stan Lodahl, Gary Holman, and Glen Bummer.

The council voted to declare interest in requesting an appraisal for land from Heather Kooken.

A land exchange with J.D. Anderson was approved for land west of Froid, north of the reservation.

Enrolled member lease renewals were approved for Renee Fettig and Richard Smith.

Enrolled member new leases were approved for Doug Grandchamp Sr. and Audrey Kirn.

Non enrolled member renewals were approved for Kenneth, Jodi and Tate Benson.

One of the topics covered by the land and minerals committee is the inclusion of motion recommendations from BIA Realty. In this category, applicant Gwendolyn Pettus was approved for a land sale of 60 acres to the Tribes with the basis of $610 an acre and a value of $36,6000, which is the purchase amount for the land.

Applicant Terri Warrior was approved for a land sale for $50,000, another land sale totalling $3,000 and another for $6,000, with a total purchase price of $59,000.

Fee property from Coel Stutheit was sold to the Tribes for the appraisal price of $40,000, with the payment coming from the Land Buy Back account.

Boon Capital Group L.P. sold the Tribes fee property at the appraisal price of $101,000, contingent on clear title. Funds are to come from the Land Buy Back account.

Spotted Bull

Tribal Council members approved the incentive criteria checklist and a $2,000 staff bonus for those staff who meed the established incentive criteria with funds to come from the SBRRC budgets.

In a related motion, SBRCC was approved to accept a bid proposal for $156,360 from Kirn Construction LLC.

Foster Care

The Foster Licensing Administrative Assistance were approved to receive an incentive award for meeting criteria.

Police Money

The council approved of the fiscal year 2023 carryover funds for the Law Enforcement Department account in the amount of $2,970,539.04.

Range Unit

The council approved to include T5407 under the grazing permit for Rang Unit 83 for the 2023 through 2032 permit period.

T5406 was approved to be included under the grazing permit for RU 33 for the 2023 through 2032 permit period.

T6236 was included under the grazing permit for RU 70 for the 2023 through 2032 permit period.

Water Bonuses

Water Resources Office employees were approved for bonuses up to $2,000 per employee.

Housekeeping

A contract for Deb Hopkins housekeeping with Tribal Health was approved effective November 27, 2023, and ending on September 30, 2024.

Tribal Construction

The council approved an incentive for Tribal Construction for those who meet the criteria.

IRR

The Roads Fund Administration award for the Fort Peck Tribes Indian Reservation Roads Program in the amount of $1,367,738.52 was approved for acceptance by the TEB.

HPDP

A contract with Mary Dalton for professional administrative consultation services were approved effective Monday, December 11, 2023 to December 31, 2028 for the Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program.

Another HPDP related motion approved the leasing of property at 701 Third Avenue West to HPDP for the use of provider housing.

Sioux Council

The Fort Peck Tribal Sioux Council approached the TEB for recognition of their new officers. It includes Buddy Adams as Chairman, Wayne Two Bulls as Vice Chairman, Earlene Ackerman as Sgt.-At-Arms and Secretary Anthony Shields.

The Sioux Council is one of the organizations that require official recognition from the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board.

Clerk of Court

Tamra Ricker was appointed as an assistant Clerk of Court.

Carry-Over

The Tribal Court was allowed to Carry Over $450.534.72 added to the FY2024 budget.

Police Bonuses

The Fort Peck Tribal Police were approved to pay incentives of $2,000 out of the American Rescue Plan Act to Tribal Law and Justice Department employees. This includes police officers, criminal investigators, and law enforcement staff.

Enterprise

Tribal Enterprise was approved to pay their employees bonuses for $1,000, in the total amount of $9,000 out of the budget.

FKCO

The Fort Kipp Community Organization elected new officers at the December 7, 2023 meeting, which were approved by the TEB.

Derrick Long Hair was elected Chairman, Darwin Longtree as Vice Chair, Ashten Youpee as Treasurer and Racquel Bets His Medicine as Secretary.