Tribal program directors have a short time to get their bills paid by the November 30 deadline.

According to tribal committee minutes, all programs have until November 30, 2023, to submit invoices for payment.

Invoices submitted after the deadline will require a resolution from the Tribal Council for payment.

The following are highlights from the November 27, 2023 meeting.

 

New Administrator

The council voted to approve a new Tribal Court Administrator.

Twila Syzmanski was selected to fill the job, which has been vacant for awhile (see separate story).

 

Language

A new position was approved for the Tribes Language and Culture Program.

A Cultural Advocate position will be added to the Language and Culture Program.

Program Director Ramey Growing Thunder said the position is needed. She is currently looking for funding to fix the roof of their offices.

In addition to the new job, the Human Resources offices is required to work with Language and Culture to get this position classified.

 

Head Start

The TEB approved the urgency of the December 31, 2026 American Rescue Plan Act deadline and due to change in scope based on current enrollment data. The Fort Kipp site will be re-evaluated at a later date and oversight of the Head Start facilities project will be under the education committee with project management transferred to Tom Weeks, Tribal Construction Manager in partnership with Head Start director Hilary Gourneau.

 

477 Program

The 477 Program was authorized to apply for the Youth Build Grant.

 

Dental Purchases

Tribal leaders approved an offer for residential property in Wolf Point from Maria Vega.

The house is located at 316 Johnson Street. It is being appraised as a possible for a house in Wolf Point for the dentist. Originally appraised for $125,000, the owner is asking $150,000 for the home.

In a related motion, the council voted to purchase $46,228.60 worth dental equipment from Henry Schein Dental.

 

Wastewater

Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschak visited with the Tribal Council about a letter of support for Wastewater Improvements and needs a resolution proving this.

The motion passed states the Wolf Point application “of Native American Set aside grant funds for financial assistance to improve the wastewater collection system for Wolf Point.

 

SBRRC

Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center employee Laurel Cheek was approved to apply for an apprenticeship with the Montana Office of Rural Health.

 

Disbanded

The council voted to disband the Tribal Development Committee.

 

Waiver

A wage waiver was approved for seven Tribal Credit program workers.

 

Buffalo

The Tribal Buffalo herd will be donating animals for homeless shelters in Wolf Point and Poplar.

Both animals will be slaughtered and processed per request of a worker from the Poplar shelter.

In a related motion, the council approved of a request for five buffalo to the Tribes Community Service Program and Montana State University Extension Roosevelt County.

 

ARPA

The American Rescue Plan Act Emergency Assistance period of help from December 1, 2023 to March 28, 2024. Future payments of $400 will be made of allocated ARPA funds.

 

FPHA

Tribal leaders approved the transfer of ownership of four vehicles of the 15 currently in possession and ownership of FPHA.