Tribal Executive Board Discusses Future COVID Vaccination Efforts

During the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board’s full board meeting Monday, Dec. 14, in the tribal chambers in Poplar, the board heard Indian Health Services director Dennis Four Bear’s report regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. He said IHS chose to receive Moderna’s version of the vaccine and is awaiting shipments.

The board discussed efforts to vaccinate the Fort Peck Reservation community. Board member Justin Grey Hawk told Four Bear that many people just can’t make the trip to Billings, which sparked another discussion regarding professional training through the college and clinics in Wolf Point and Poplar.

“We’re all in this together,” Four Bear told the board. “Just let us know what you need and we’ll work to address it.”

“We spend thousands of dollars to send our people to Billings”, board member Patt Runs Through told Four Bear, “Why can’t we have an Assiniboine or Sioux heart doctor?”.

Board member committee assignments were made: Carolyn Brugh will sit on the constitutional reform/ resolution/legislative committee; Thomas Escarcega Sr., education, veterans/elders/youth/media; Kaci Wallette, economic development; Melvin Rattlingthunder Sr., finance; Leonard Crowbelt, land and minerals; Jestin Dupree, law and justice and Dana Buckles, health and human services.