Board Passes Economic Relief Payments

Senate Candidate Visits TEB

The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board held its regular full board meeting Aug. 12 in Poplar. Tim Sheehy, a candidate for U.S. Senate, was in attendance. He is challenging incumbent Senator Jon Tester, Sheehy spoke to the board about his background and took questions and comments from board members about accessibility of care for Tribal veterans and other issues.

The board voted to authorize hiring Damon Sadler as a certified police officer at Grade 9, Step 4, pending a favorable background investigation. They also voted approve to continue the buffalo transfer program with the Yellowstone National Park.

The Education Department and Foster Home Licensing Programs had a request approved for educational leave for Darrian Four Bear to complete her social work practicum.

The donation of a star quilt and $500 retirement donation were approved to Priscilla Carpentier for her many years of service The board vote to obligate $1,422,235.46 for an FY24 Family Economic Relief payment to assist enrolled member ranging from 3 years of age to 18 years of age for the upcoming school year and funding for the Tribal Security Program to continue until the end of the year. The deadline for submission will be set aside on Friday Nov. 15. Distribution date will be on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Tom Weeks was authorized to hire Interstate Engineering for $12,000 for inspection services for the Head Start buildings.

The board approved the branch of corrections to hire case manager Felicia Scott from temporary appointment to permanent appointment effective immediately.

The board approved the recommended following priorities be placed on the following non-funded projects list as follows: Brockton, New Sewage Lagoon; Brockton, Sewer Main Improvements; Frazer, Sewer Main Improvements and Poplar, Sewer Pipe Replacement Phase 2.

The board approved the outside contract between Water Tech Inc. and Tribal Security Program.

During Health and Human Services, a motion was approved stating that IHS Billings area will invoice the Tribe for the agreed upon funds to cover the costs associated with this buy-back agreement. They approved contract modification with the Virginia Limpy-Goings, 6610 Browning Dr. in Colstrip, for services under the Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center in the amount of $11,000 effective immediately and end on Sept. 30.

Travel costs were approved for Dr. David Nguyen’s site visit be held on Aug. 26-30 for the purpose of provider professional recruitment for the Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental Department. A contract modification with the Norther Engineering and consultation, Inc. was approved for services under the Spotted Bull Recover Resource Center in the amount of $25,000, effective immediately and end on Aug. 31.

A donation of $500 and a star quilt was approved for Isabell ‘Izzie’ Youngman for her years of service. The board approved to donate $3,000 to the Wahcina Wakpa Bronc Bash one-day rodeo.

A Memorandum of Understanding was approved between Area I Agency on Aging Senior Companion Program and Fort Peck Tribal Elderly Program.

The Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental Department annual uniform allowance of $400 for Fort Peck Reservation employees that require special uniform to preform job duties and have successfully completed their 90 day probationary period was approved.

The board passed a motion to send medically compromised individuals that require advanced emergency dentistry services to either Yellowstone Dental or Winterholler Dentistry in Billings. Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental will be responsible for setting up payment arrangements and begin the Coordinated Care Contracting Process. Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental Department was also approved to cover costs associated with the Dental Assistant Training Program through the Great Falls College Montana State University.

The board authorized the option for IPA for the current IHS employees in the departments of audiology and optometry and approved them to offer to purchase property 1025 First Ave. N. in Wolf Point for the total amount of $332,000 for the purpose of professional housing, as well as a property at 5817 BG 1 Dr. in Poplar for the purchase price of $286,000.

A bid from CECO Building Systems was approved for the development of a Tribal Health Motor Pool facility and the board approved the request to use one of the HPDP vans to transport some of the youth for the annual youth conference in Billings.

Jazmyn Carrywater was approved to be granted educational leave with all documents to be signed and authorized by the chairman/ vice-chairman on behalf of the HPDP Program.

During the constitutional reform committee, the board authorized the approval of $5,171.68 Tiwahe funds to be used for the first annual ICWA Day Camp.

The board authorized the hiring of Paul Doney as a Police Officer at a Grade 9 & Step 4 per resolution #32750-2024-07 and he will not be on patrol status until his background investigation is complete and he has received a favorable adjudication.

A contract for Alyssa Firemoon in the amount of $18,357.75, for the Daycare House in Poplar was approved, as was a motion to purchase skates from Riedell in the amount of $25,124.59.

Enrollment committee recommendations were approved including 24 full memberships, two relinquishments, 13 blood increases, 19 name changes, 19 associate membership and one reinstatement.

The board approved the contract with Michael Uphues, M.D., for Chief Medical Officer through Aug. 31, 2029, for the HPDP program.

The next full board meeting is set for Aug. 27 in Poplar.