Cheyenne Country

Rez Relief Effort Rescues Strays

CheyenneNation.com | March 2013 | VOICE OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE |

CHEYENNE COUNTRY

NUTRITION

NATURE’S VITAMINSProvides Wealth of Health

A FLAG RAISINGIN HONORPAGE 2

John A. Youngbear/Cheyenne Country

Local children play a game of hoops at the center of Birney Village on a warm February afternoon.

By Lenny SmithOf Cheyenne Country

The Economic Development Agency (EDA) has reported that a grant-based community center for the Birney District is in the works. EDA Director Steve Small stated that the center will include a kitchen and a gym. They will use the property for public meetings, disaster relief, coal development meetings, and for diabetes awareness efforts. The building will also provide much-needed jobs for the area where rampant unemployment and impoverishment are a real problem. According to the proposal presented to the council, public services and facilities on the

reservation are grossly inadequate. “We need to have a center for

people to congregate and trade ideas,” says Small.

Birney District Representative, Llevando Fisher, says he would like to see a store and gas station included in the plans since the town is very isolated. Birney residents

have to drive to nearby towns in order to get gas and food. Moreover, there is opportunity for an arbor and additional housing to be built.

“We would like to take advantage of the traffic filtering through,” says Fisher adding that it would open up more jobs for the community. He warns that it is a drawn out process that could take years but will benefit the district in a big way.

The EDA estimates the total cost of the community center to be around $150,000. They are working to address the needs of the building expenses, which include hiring an architect and an engineer.

Please see Birney, Page 7

Otter Creek Spells DevelopmentBirney Village on the Edge of Neighboring Coal Boom

“We need to have a center for people to congregate and trade ideas.”

—Steve SmallEconomic Development Agency

Rez Dog Relief


Tribal member Brooke Gondara spends countless hours rescuing stray and malnourished dogs to feed and nurse back to health. Gondara also seeks out puppies to put up for adoption with Rez Dog Rescue of Hardin and Billings Animal Rescue Kare, B.A.R.K., to caring and loving homes.

Steadfast and unbroken by the unkind world that the North-ern Cheyenne Reservation has

become for local canines, Brooke Gondara is doing everything she can to ensure the sick and starving stray dogs in Lame Deer and the surrounding communities are getting what they need to survive.

“People probably think I am crazy,” she laughs as she drives through a di-lapidated area of town armed with bags of food donated by friends and family. She sees a starving mother dog by the road and pulls over with a genuine con-cern for the stray’s well-being.

“Come here mama,” she calls to the pitiful animal and dogs appear from

everywhere as she pours food onto the ground for them to eat. “Sometimes they come out of the woodwork. You think you’re going to feed three and you feed ten.”

The five districts of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation include Bus-by, Birney, Muddy, Lame Deer, and Ashland. Gondara says that Muddy is presently the highest stray populated area due to a nearby dump site. Howev-er, recent volunteer work by community members to clean up the area has low-ered the dog population significantly.

Gondara is the chair of Lame Deer’s “Critter Committee”, a group formed by concerned animal lovers who volunteer to address the presence of stray animals

such as dogs, horses and cattle. This group works closely with the Billings Animal Rescue Kare, B.A.R.K.., and, Rez Dog Rescue of Hardin to guarantee that dogs get the shots that they need and also to tackle the issue of overpop-ulation by sponsoring spay and neuter clinics. They offer vaccinations to dogs for rabies, Parvovirus, distemper, and canine herpes. They have also taken bags of dog food to pet owners who can’t always afford it but are trying to be responsible to their dogs. She has even gone as far as to take pets to Hardin to get shots and bring them back to their owners.

“I try not to be judgmental. It’s about the dogs. It’s the greater common good

of the cause. It’s about the animals. They shouldn’t have to suffer.”

In addition to promoting responsi-ble pet ownership and feeding strays, Gondara spends much of her time chas-ing down dogs without owners, nursing them back to health, and finding them homes with the help of B.A.R.K. and Rez Dog Rescue. She focuses on moth-er dogs as it is easier to find people to adopt puppies. She visits those that she can’t take with her every other day to feed them and has even gone as far as to name them. She also keeps a record for each animal she works with com-plete with pictures.

Please see Relief, Page 8

Story by Lenny Smith

CHEYENNE COUNTRY | VOICE OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE

Vets’ Honored PosthumouslyVice-President Russell’s Flag Raising a Priority

On a cold winter day the Northern Cheyenne Tribe posthumously honored two Cheyenne veterans at a flag ceremony at the Little Wolf

Capitol, Monday February 4, 2013. Mrs. Rhoda Glenmore accepted her son’s flag, Marine Corps veteran Vydell Yellowrobe, after being flown over the Capitol for the month of January. Mrs. Joetta Bearcomesout presented her late father’s flag, Korean War veteran Joe Bearcomesout as the next honoree to be raised for the month of February.

Photography by John A. Youngbear

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our Northern Cheyenne people and friends to the first edition of Cheyenne Country, a newspaper dedicated to presenting a true and accurate accounting of governmental affairs and features of interest to the community. I especially want to thank John Youngbear and Lenny Smith for their talent, dedication, and commitment to helping my Administration fulfill its promise of governmental transparency to the people. I also want to thank the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council, Vice President Russell, Program Directors, staff, and community members for their encouragement and support. It has been one hundred days since I took office as President of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The past one hundred days have been a time of transition, characterized by both challenges and rewarding achievements.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Completed initial program assessments and evaluations.

• Reaffirmed critical relationships at the local, state, and national levels.

• Met with Senators Tester and Baucus in Washington D.C. regarding Tribal priorities.

• Met with Governor Schweitzer and newly elected Governor Bullock regarding Tribal priorities and the state surplus.

• Met with the State Land Board to present the Otter Creek Plan of Operations, approved by the Spang Administration and Tribal Council.

• Brought on a team of highly skilled staff members to enhance Tribal communications, administrative efficiency, and policy development.

• For the first time, Presidential Board, Committee, and Commission appointments were openly advertised to all Tribal members and selection was based upon commitment to the district, qualifications and experience, and alignment with Administrative values.

• Hosted a board training and swearing in ceremony for seventy newly appointed Board, Committee, and Commission members.

• Established the Tribe’s first Presidential Youth Commission that will assist my Administration in addressing the needs of our youth through the creation of legislation, programs, and opportunities.

• Embraced a new focus on efficiency and effectiveness of Tribal policy through the establishment of a Policy Review Committee.

• Introduced Morning Coffee with Tribal Leaders, in partnership with the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority, twice a month as an informal opportunity for the Administration, Tribal Council, Tribal Programs, local businesses, and visiting dignitaries to network.

• Reinstated Program Directors’ meetings on a bimonthly basis.

• Cut six Tribal Holidays from holiday leave to holiday observance.

• Appropriated $50,000 to the Elderly Feeding Program, expanding service to all Reservation Districts.

• Appropriated $20,000 towards youth activities.

• Confirmed listening sessions the second week of March in each Reservation District and in Billings to gather feedback on Otter Creek, Tongue River Railroad, on-Reservation coal development, and coal-mining alternatives.

• Negotiated the no-cost provision of two new coffee systems (a $5,000 value) for the Tribal Council, Administration, and guests.

• Commenced live streaming of all Tribal Council Meetings and Administrative meetings online via the Tribal website www.cheyennenation.com.

A significant challenge during this transition period has been balancing direct communication with tribal members, while also undertaking time consuming activities such as program evaluation, policy assessment, and resolving pre-existing issues. Much of my time has also been dedicated to establishing a good working relationship with the Tribal Council and seeking common ground solutions to problems. My current priority is to work with the Tribal Council to develop a budget that will address the inherited budget deficit and potential Federal sequestration. My Administration is also commencing a review and revision of all Tribal Policy Manuals, implementing random drug testing, creating a Tribal wage scale, developing strategies for economic growth, and expanding opportunities for community input. Below are my first year Administrative Priorities and I will continue to provide progress updates to the Northern Cheyenne People through the monthly publication of Cheyenne Country.

FIRST YEAR ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITIES

• Develop a planning team and strategy for short term, medium term, and long term planning.

• Develop a communications team and strategy for maximizing transparency to the people.

• Revise existing and draft new policy manuals.

• Grant acquisition.

• Increase efficiency and effectiveness of programs to maximize direct services to the people.

• Develop strategies for economic growth.

Embracing New HorizonFirst 100 Day’s: Challenges and Rewards

PRESIDENT JOHN J. ROBINSON

Editorial Headquarters:Communications Department, 600 Cheyenne Avenue, Lame Deer, MT 59043, Telephone (406) 477-4862

Tribal Headquarters:Northern Cheyenne Tribe, 600 Cheyenne Avenue, Lame Deer, MT 59043, Telephone (406) 477-6284

Where to Write:Northern Cheyenne TribeCommunicationsP.O. Box 128Lame Deer, MT 59043Email: [email protected]

Cheyenne Country welcomes letters from its readers. For verification purposes include home address and phone number (day and evening). The more concise and reasoned a letter, the more likely it will be chosen and the less likely it will need to be condensed.

Cheyenne Country is published monthly with news, calendar items, and articles promoting and disseminating tribal program updates, policies, and human interest topics and primarily for the tribal readership. Subject areas within the newspaper are evolving and changing monthly while editorial schedules are implemented some articles in the opinion are strictly in the view of the writer and do not reflect the opinion or view of this publication. Any correspondence, letters or articles published here are strictly for the convenience and use of this publication editorial, administration or advisors. Cheyenne Country is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited art work (including but not limited to drawings, photographs, and transparencies), or any other unsolicited materials. Those submitting manuscripts, photographs, art work, or other materials for consideration should not send originals, unless specifically requested to do so by Cheyenne Country in writing. Manuscripts, photographs, and other materials submitted must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped return envelope, postage prepaid.

CHEYENNE COUNTRY

CHEYENNE COUNTRY | VOICE OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE March 2013 | PAGE 3

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Stephanie Fisher (Brady) and I am enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. On January

7th, 2013 I started working for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe as the TERO Director. I am married to Roy Fisher Sr., and we have three boys, Roy Jr., Bernadine & Bryan. We also take care of our grandson Marley Fisher. My parents are Steve and Linda Brady, they raised my five siblings and I here in Lame Deer.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Native American Studies from MSU-Bill-ings. I am pursuing my Masters in Public Administration also from MSU-Billings. I worked for the Bureau of Indi-an Affairs for ten years. I was the Staff Support Assistant for the Northern Cheyenne Agency Fire & Aviation and a Realty Specialist (Acquisition & Disposal).

I was able to attend the Board orientation at the Casino and got to meet the TERO Board Members. They are Ron Big Back, Sr. (Busby), President, Larry Bartlett (Ashland), Vice-President, Dorothy Jackman (Birney), Secretary-Treasurer, Jerome Whitehawk (Muddy), Mem-ber, Emma Harris (Lame Deer), Member. We had our first TERO Board meeting on February 6, 2013; we elected officers and went over the budget. I am looking forward to working with this TERO board.

Transportation Planning has set up a Flaggers Training for the month of February. There are also applications available for Flagger trainings that will be held in Billings and Miles City. We are also looking into having Heavy Equipment Training and CDL Training. I am looking for-ward to collaborating with other departments and entities to provide training opportunities.

I would like to thank the departments that have been making sure their contractors comply with TERO require-ments. I am still trying to get out to all of the departments and touch base with the directors and their staff. The TERO certification and application is fairly simple. Our staff is always willing to help. Tony Bearcomesout is the Compliance Officer and Renee Littlewolf is helping us in the front office.

I appreciate all the support and assistance I have received from President Robinson and his staff, the front office, procurement and everyone else who has helped me. I look forward to working for the tribe and the var-ious departments. I appreciate the words of advice and talking to former TERO employees. Please feel free to call me or come to my office.

Just a few reminders:• I would like to encourage individuals looking for

work to come and put in an application at TERO and start signing in

• TERO fee’s cannot be waived• Please make sure the contractors you work with are

complying with TERO Requirements• Contact TERO when a contract has been awarded

EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OFFICE

TERO names DirectorA new course for employment rights

MONTANA HOUSE DISTRICT 41

Greetings Constituents of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

Here is a quick report regarding Buffalo Issues, a constant question I am asked is, “Are they livestock or wild game and how do they economically benefit the people?” What republicans mean is that they have no real value and should be shot on sight.

TWO BILLS ARE HB 249 AND HB 396:

The Legislative House advanced HB 249 with a 62-38 vote. This would allow landowners to haze or shoot wild bison that came on to their property. My thought on this is that this will allow open season on any buffalo aka bison that wonders on to private property. People are going to shoot and ask questions later, so if the Northern Cheyenne Tribe loses buffalo this may be due to them moving off the reservation, or one might be taken out of season and the landowner will claim that it wondered on to his land.

HB 396 is slated to hit the legislative floor in next week, this bill was heard in the Agriculture Committee which will allow County Commissioners the power to make decisions on the release, transportation or reloca-tion of wild Buffalo or Bison. Personally in my opinion this is a bad bill, the counties have rarely worked with the Tribes on any issues unless it benefits them somehow.

Also one last bill that did not pass because the repub-licans have the majority vote is same day voting, the republican’s reasoning behind this bill, is that it was too cumbersome and puts an undue burden on the election staff. In reality the republicans saw it as a democratic strong point and were determine to oust it, what they don’t realize is that many of the counties that used same day voting were strong republican areas. Was voted 60 to 38 to disallow it.

People it is an upward fight and I ask for your prayers and comments, sent to [email protected].

Bills Pique Interest Bison Legislation to Hit Floor

The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Historic Preserva-tion Office was established in 2003 and funded by the National Park Service to identify, inventory,

and archive historic and traditional tribal properties on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Later, through an amendment of the National Historic Preservation Act it extended into ancestral lands of the Northern Cheyenne that covers at least eight states.

There are 139 Historic Preservation offices around the country and the list keeps growing. We are similar to the State Historic Preservation Office in that any project that has the potential to yield cultural resources such as artifacts, remains and others things needs the approval of the Historic Preservation Office.

Historic Preservation works with many federal and state agencies in preserving and managing Tribal Cultur-al Properties. Federal laws mandate federal agencies to work with tribes on protection of different sites such as: cultural landscapes; burial sites, rock art; stone circles, and others.

In off reservation projects, when a federal undertaking is on federal lands or if there is federal dollars attached to a project where there is a potential to yield cultural sites then Historic Preservation is notified and we have an option to become an interested party to the project which means we would go and see if there are sites that are cultural in nature and might be a Cheyenne site—it is federal law. Some of the more pressing issues that we are faced with today are: Tongue River railroad; Otter Creek Coal; Air Force flyover on the reservation; new coal mine permits in the Decker area and others.

Our office also works with local agencies such as the Indian Health Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs Forestry; Housing; Natural Resource Conservation Service, and others.

Again, much of it has to do with preservation and pro-tecting our cultural heritage of the Northern Cheyenne.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 406-477-4839 or stop by my office. I am located in the Little Wolf Capitol Building. Hahoo

HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Preserving Our PastProtecting history for future generations

‘Historic Preservation works with many federal and state agencies in preserving and managing Tribal Cultural Properties. Federal laws mandate federal agencies to work with tribes on protection of different sites such as: cultural landscapes; burial sites, rock art; stone circles, and others.’

CHEYENNE COUNTRY | VOICE OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBEPAGE 4 | March 2013

LIVINGCHEYENNE COUNTRY | VOICE OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE

By John MarianFor Cheyenne Country

This February, Chief Dull Knife College and Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority are teaming up to offer the community a new applied learning course called “Introduction to Home Renovation and Repair.” For almost a

year, Red Feather Development Group and CDKC have been discussing a joint construction curriculum. However, this course began to come together late last summer when an instructor working for Red Feather approached the Tribal Housing looking for guidance on what the community needed and wanted regarding a construction course. On one busy afternoon the Tribal Housing leadership staff shared the important skills and training they felt people lacked most when applying for a job in the construction field with the Tribal Housing Authority. According to the Executive Director, Lafe Haugen, “Having this class with our input, gives our construction and maintenance staff hope that the members of our tribe who attend these classes will have vital skills and knowledge necessary to jump right into the fields of home repair and new construction. Having input into your curriculum and giving us an opportunity to assist in any way we can gives back to the community and empowers our people with the confidence to take on home repair projects on their own or start a career in construction”.

Tribal Housing’s willingness to work with our tribal college stemmed from a desire to grow the tribe’s local workforce by teaching the ‘ins-and-outs’ of home repair to community members. This started at the top; with Lafe and others expressing their dream that today’s Northern Cheyenne youth learn their skills here – like they did. Many of the leadership staff at Tribal Housing recalls acquiring their building skills at the college years ago when it offered a building trades program. Lafe, Michael Speelman, William Rowland, and others all want to revitalize a construction degree program so today’s youth can be proud that their education came from right here on the reservation. In addition to skills they can use repairing their own residence, graduates of the class will be well prepared to seek seasonal work with Housing. The hope is that this class will significantly reduce the amount of on-the-job training neces-sary for new hires and put them into higher paying jobs.

Each entity has pledged to support this initiative in different ways. The college contributed their educational oversight, facilities, and instructor. Housing is providing transportation, a lab environment, and additional supervision of student work during the labs. The hands on component will take place in a tribally owned, vacant residence. Red Feather Development Group has pledged to provide books and tools for the class. In addition, Red Feather’s Northern Cheyenne Program Coordinator, Lloydine Runsabove, will serve as teaching assistant for the course.

SOME CLASS DETAILS

During the first three weeks of the course students will be oriented to basic construction math and measuring; will learn how to be safe around tools, ladders and each other; and, how to assess a project. Then after spring break, students will get their hands dirty. This lecture and ser-vice-learning based course emphasizes important terminology, concepts, theories, technologies, and hands on practice appropriate to starting a ca-reer in the home renovation industry; or, simply for homeowners to have the confidence and know-how to perform basic home repairs – without hiring someone from off the reservation.

This class is unique and fills a niche not only on the reservation, but also in other construction curriculum around the country. Most courses at other schools are geared towards new building construction and not renovation and repair. If this class proves popular and is successful at attracting interested students, then Chief Dull and Tribal Housing Authority will expand their partnership to create and offer an applied degree program in construction technology during future semesters.

Class starts February 13 from 3 to 6 p.m. in room 121.

Do It YourselfCollaboration to Teach Home

Repair—Underway

DID YOU KNOW?

If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a light bulb that’s CFL, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.A CFL qualified light bulb:

• Saves money about $6 a year in electricity costs and can save more than $40 over its lifetime.

• Meets strict performance requirements that are tested and certified by a third party.

• Uses about 75-percent less energy than a tradi-tional incandescent bulb and lasts at least 6 times longer.

• Produces about 75-percent less heat, so it’s safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.


NUTRITIONCHEYENNE COUNTRY | VOICE OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE

By Marcia Roper, RD, CDEFor Cheyenne Country

Nature gives us what we need in every season and the winter veg-etables in this recipe, kale and butternut squash, are just amazing for our health. The recipe you see on this page . . . is A BOWL OF

VITAMIN A, one of the most important vitamins and one of the most over-looked vitamins. Did you know that vitamin A is necessary for your DNA to do its job? And did you know that vitamin A allows certain hormones to do their work in the body? For example, not enough of this vitamin could cause a thyroid hormone problem. So let’s look at how much Vitamin A is in about 1 cup of this vegetable broth soup:

¼ Cup kale (the dark green leaves) 2,400 units

¼ Cup carrots 9,500 units

¼ Cup butternut squash 3,500 units (plus lots of folate and potassium) Equals: 15,400 units of Vitamin A (heat and light destroys some of this)

That is a good dose of vitamin A and I don’t know about you, but I will have two bowls of this soup! Kale has actually been proven in a study to

prevent cancer. Wow, that is quite a benefit.The requirements for vitamin A, which is the minimum, are anywhere

from 2,500 to 10,000 units per day according to the textbook “Food Val-ues.” This minimum depends on the age and condition of a person. If you don’t have enough of this vitamin there is a risk of increased infections, enlargement of hair follicles and different skin problems. Your eyes need this vitamin also. And did you know that vitamin A is needed for your bones to continue to re-build correctly?

According to the nutrition textbook “Understanding Nutrition,” more than 75,000 units of A is too much. Over 75,000 units of A daily can actually contribute to bone fractures and bone abnormalities as well as hair loss, tiredness, joint pain, insomnia, brittle nails, certain eye and vision problems and skin rashes. Pregnant women should be careful not to get too much since high levels may cause harm to their baby.

Vitamin A must have fat from the diet to be absorbed into the body so vitamin A pills may not get into the blood stream as well as food sources. It can be stored in the liver for future use UNLESS a person drinks alcohol. Alcohol can actually destroy the liver’s ability to store this wonderful vita-min, making it even more important to get your daily dose if you do drink alcohol, in any form.

Other sources of this vitamin are apricots, cantelope and mangos. These are our summer sources. Sweet potatoes can be found year round and is another good source of Vitamin A. Your skin, your eyes and so much more need this vitamin from food, so please, enjoy this wonderful recipe adapted from “Fine Cooking.”

Nature’s Vitamin DeliversBenefits of Winter Vegetables Provides Wealth of Health

INGREDIENTS:

2 packages large carrots7 large yellow onions 10 medium garlic cloves2-4 pinches red pepper flakes2 large butternut squash7 quarts vegetable broth4 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes10 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried8 cups lightly packed chopped kale6 cans drained chickpeas8 packages Open Nature Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic chicken sausages, other fully cooked chicken sausage, or light kielbasa INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Peel and slice carrots and put in soup pot or roaster2. Add chopped or minced garlic3. Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes and thyme4. Add red pepper and simmer ingredients until carrots are slightly tender5. Peel and cut onions into bite size pieces, not too small, and add to soup pot6. To chop butternut squash using sharp knife:Cut off ends of each squash, then cut squash in half (not length-wise)Put flat cut edge of squash on cutting board and peel downward with sharp knifeWhen skin is removed cut in half and remove seeds and stringsThen chop into bite size pieces and add to broth7. To chop kale: Rinse kale bunch by swishing in large bowl of waterCut off stem completely and cut out center rib of each leafChop into bite size pieces and add to broth8. Simmer all until vegetables are just done, adding a bit of iodized salt or kelp 9. Chop pre-cooked chicken sausage into bite sizes, add to pot 10 minutes before serving

GROCERY LIST FOR MEAL

2 PACKAGES OF LARGE CARROTS7 LARGE YELLOW ONIONS2 WHOLE GARLIC BULBS2 WHOLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH7 QUARTS VEGETABLE BROTH5 14 OZ CANS DICED TOMATOES6 BUNCHES KALE6 CANS CHICKPEAS8 PACKAGES Open Nature Roasted Red Pepper and garlic chicken sausages

LARGE BOWLSNAPKINSSTEVIA PACKETSSMALL PLATES FOR BISCUITSLEMONS

BEVERAGES

Vitamin Water Zero – acai/blueberry/pomegranateVitamin Water Zero – rise / orangeVitamin Water Zero - Mega C grape/raspberryFUZE Slenderize – tropical punchFUZE Slenderize – another flavorCrystal Lite PureDecaf Green teaArrowhead Sparkling spring water with orangeV8 V Fusion Light grape/raspberry AND strawberry/bananaOranges

VEGETABLE & SAUSAGE SOUP


TRIBAL COURTThere have been some administrative

changes here at the Court over the last couple of months. Newly elected and appointed Chief Judge Roni Rae Brady has taken over as Director. Chief Judge Brady is making every effort to strive for excellence when it comes to providing an ethical, working justice system for the people of the Northern Cheyenne Nation. Please bear with us as we continue to better our Court and work toward our goal of being the best Judicial Branch and Court in Indian Country. Along with other changes in staff, newly elected Judge Donna Gonzales, newly appointed Clerk of Court Clyde J. Brady III, Deputy Clerks of Court Deborah Strange Owl, Roni Spang and Marita Haugen have taken their places at their respective posts and are ready to serve the People. Please contact the Clerk of Court at 406-477-8340 ext. 106 for any questions or concerns that need to be addressed.

CENTRAL FINANCEThe Tribal Central Finance Department

has been working diligently to prepare for the FY2012 Audit that will begin in March. The audit encompasses all of the Federal and Tribal programs operated the Northern Cheyenne Tribe (excluding Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools, Charging Horse Casino, Cheyenne Depot, and other business entities such as NC Utilities and NC Housing Authority which are covered by their own separate audits.) Audits provide the Tribe and its grantor’s an opinion of the Tribes ability to manage in accordance with Federal, State, and Tribal policies, regulations, and ordinances. Although usually perceived as primarily a finance objective, audits are equally dependent on the responsiveness and performance of Tribal Programs, Council, and Administration. It is a priority of the Tribe to have the audit completed and submitted in June.

The FY2013 Indirect Cost Proposal was completed and submitted to the National Business Center on February 7, 2013.

Treasurer, Ben Lone Bear, has prepared the Permanent Fund Annual Report. The report, which is at the Tribal Office and online, summarizes the Funds current investments and includes explanation on the performance from FY2001 through FY2012.

There are currently several Tribal Program Contracts out or preparing for bid, including bids for fencing in the areas damaged by fire, and the Northern Cheyenne Tribal School Audit.

The finance currently has several positions open and in actively looking for positive qualified individuals. Please inquire on these positions at the Tribal Human Resource Office or Online at Cheyennenation.com/employment.

ENROLLMENTOur office met with the Northern Cheyenne

Enrollment Committee on February 7, 2013 and approved new enrollments and changes to the membership roll. The new enrollments and changes were then presented and approved by the Tribal Council on February 21, 2013. Approved – resolution automatic enrollment of six (6) individuals. Approved – Ordinance adopting one hundred fifty-six (156) individuals. Approved – ordinance re-enrolling seven (7) individuals. Approved – ordinance relinquishing nine (9) individuals. Approved – resolution granting name changes for eighty-five (85) members. Approved – resolution granting date of birth changes for two (2) tribal members. Approved – ordinance granting blood quantum changes for six (6) tribal members.

LEASE COMPLIANCEThe Lease Compliance office is currently

working on scopes of work for contract services on the reservation. One particular contract involves the fence lines that need to be repaired or totally replaced because of the devastation caused by the Ash Creek fire located around the northeast corner of the reservation. The other contract involves the controlling of invasive weeds and farming and reseeding of perennial grasses at the Tribe’s Lower Teepee ranch, which is located along the Tongue River between Ashland and Birney. We are also dealing with horses on the roadways just about on a daily basis, which does not include our obligations to the NC Land Authority where we primarily deal with land issues that affect our Tribal lands.

FORESTRY PROGRAMThe Tribal Forestry has just completed its

FY’13 first pre-commercial thinning season. From October 2012 through January 2013, 119 acres were completed through tribal thinning contractors. Presently, the Tribal Forestry is starting to work on planning the 2013 spring tree planting for the Black Springs Fire Complex and may also include the Ash Creek Fire Complex.

NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENTThe Acting Director has submitted four (4)

additional grant funding proposals to the BIA and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), with determinations expected in the near future. Proposals include two proposals for Black

Footed Ferret reintroduction, with a proposal submitted to USFWS and BIA, respectively. A proposal has been submitted to the BIA for a noxious weed project and a proposal has been submitted to the BIA for continued funding of our current Water Resources Program activities-negotiation and litigation- associated with the adjudication of filed water rights claims in the Tongue River Watershed currently in the MT Water Court, the honorable Judge Kathryn Lambert presiding.

The Water Resources Program is actively involved in the adjudication of filed water rights claims by individuals, government agencies and corporations in the Tongue River Basin described as areas 42B, area above Hanging Woman Creek, and 42C, area below Hanging Woman Creek. The Tribe has filed Notice of Intent to Appear or objections to filed claims which are being adjudicated. Adjudication entails the review of aerial maps, GIS/GPS information, archival documents, field visits, etc. Our Tribe’s focus is on claims filed on the main stem of the Tongue River. Over 600,000 were filed in the basin.

The Wildlife & Parks Administrator is in the process of completing a final draft of a Tribal Fish, Hunting and Recreation Code and Regulations (code). The Administrator and Acting Director have continued to meet with U.S. Fish & Wildlife and BIA wildlife experts to address technical issues with the current draft code and regulations. It is projected that the document will undergo a legal review by a tribal attorney(s) following final editing which will conclude on March 7, 2013. The draft code and regulations will then be disseminated to the Tribal Council, Tribal judges, Tribal Prosecution and to the general public. This has been a six (6) year process and review and approval of the draft code will assist the Tribe in the management and regulation of fishing and hunting on the Reservation.

The acting director has been tracking House Bill (HB37) no. 37, introduced by Representative Bill McChesney, in the Montana Legislature. This legislation, if signed into law, would allow farmers/ranchers with agriculture (irrigation) water rights in the Yellowstone drainage to temporarily change their agriculture use water rights to industrial use. It is apparent that oil production companies requiring additional water for “fracking” operations in the Bakken Oil Field. The director has established communications with Rep. McChesney in an effort to establish an opportunity to open active negotiations with oil companies in the market for water. The Tribe has 30,000 acre feet of water in the Big Horn Reservoir and 20,000 acre feet in the Tongue River Reservoir. In addition, preliminary interest in available tribal water has been expressed by Aqua Tech Consultants, headquartered in Sheridan, Wyoming.

The Water Resources Technician is preparing for the field season and will be conducting a stock water inventory for the Reservation. In addition, the Water Tech will be accepting and issuing tribal water permits, participating in surface and groundwater well monitoring activities with the U.S. Geological Survey, and will assist with the development of the Tongue River Streambank Stabilization Project, IRMP and ARMP.

The director has begun implementation of the Tribal Agriculture Planning Grant and has recently requested all natural resources type electronic databases from the BIA. The information will provide the primary technical information for development of an Agriculture Resources Management Plan and assist in the completion of an Integrated Resources Management Plan. These types of management plans will assist the Tribal Council in the decision-making process focused on planning, management and preservation/conservation of tribal natural resources trust assets. The public will have an opportunity to provide input into the development of the management plans.

BAER Project: the Natural Resources Department has assumed management of the noxious weed project for the Black Springs Fire Complex. This season monitoring activities are scheduled to verify whether the aerial spraying of 500+ acres infested with Spotted Knap Weed has achieved some level of success. The department is being considered to assume the noxious weed, fencing and stock water components associated with the Ash Creek Fire Complex.

For more information on Natural Resources Programs and Projects contact [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONDevelopment of a new tribal department

is underway for all Transportation related programs. The new Department of Transportation currently consists of four (4) contracts/grants which are; Transportation Planning (a BIA 638 contract), Safe on All Roads, Community Transportation Enhancement Project (MDT grants), and Transit (an FTA grant.)

· Preparing for the FY2013 construction season. Projects will include completing the Cheyenne Avenue project and a bike/walk path from Lame Deer to the LDS turn off. A public meeting is being planned for March 2013 for the bike/walk path.

· Montana Department of Transportation is providing funding for the CTEP bike/walk path and for a small grant that will offer traffic/pedestrian safety education. Watch for the SOAR booth at community events.

· The Rez Runner Transit buses are currently going through maintenance. In approximately another month, we will be able to provide full service again.

· In partnership with TERO, Planning sponsored a Flagger Training on 2/20/13 here in Lame Deer. Northern Plains Tribal Technical Assistance Program provided the training for the sixteen (16) participants who all received their certification.

· MDT has a safety project on the NC Reservation this summer which will consist of rumble strips, etc. for the Jimtown curve on 39N.

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The LIHEAP Program begins October 1st of each year and ends on September 30th of each year.

Applications are given out in September of each year and are processed for eligibility, when funds are available award letters are sent to the clients informing them of the amount they are eligible for.

The office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 477-8459. We are located across from the Tribal Office on the west side of the building in a blue house.

We are waiting for the United States of Congress to approve a budget so that we may receive more funding. If we do receive additional funding we can assist clients in crises situations. Notices will be posted in each district in the event we do receive additional funds.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMWe deliver to handicap and elderly in

Ashland, Busby, Lame Deer, and Birney. There are also employees available to help shop for food if someone who is elderly or handicapped comes into the building and requests assistance. Applications are available and should be filled out completely or we cannot accept them. We also need up-to-date income verification. If you come in to receive commodities please sign in and wait or you will lose your place in line. Our distribution hours are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

HEAD START PROGRAMNorthern Cheyenne Head Start Program is

a federally funded program for comprehensive child development services. Our core services include early childhood education, health and nutrition, and family services as well mental health and disabilities service and transportation. Head Start is also supported by children and adult food program. The Head Start program has completed a school readiness plan pending approval by the tribal council. The plan we is to enhance our professional development through the establishment of a plan to improve quality by establishing school readiness goals, improve our teacher’s classroom skills to engage our parents and families.

Northern Cheyenne Elderly ProgramThe Elderly Program, located at the

Shoulderblade Complex in Lame Deer, Montana, strives to meet the needs of the local seniors. Each day the program supplies meals to approximately 140 elders on-site and through home delivery at 11:30-12:30 and serves roughly 30 elders in Ashland, MT. They also offer bingo on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12-12:30, arts and crafts the first Wednesday of each month, transportation when needed, and caregiver support. In addition to these services they also deliver food boxes, surplus commodities, and healthy living kits filled with cleaning products or personal hygiene supplies making sure to alternate districts weekly. The elders will be having a St. Patrick’s Day party at the Shoulderblade Complex on Friday, March 15, 2013. Any donations for prizes and decorations would be appreciated.

NATIVE EMPLOYMENT WORKS/WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT

The Child Care Program will be accepting Parent applications for the 2nd Quarter (April 1 – September 30). Applications can be picked up @ the Child Care Office. All parents need to re-apply. Also, provider Health and Safety Inspections will be conducted on March 4-7, 2013, in the Busby, Kirby, Muddy, Birney, Lame Deer and Colstrip areas. If you any questions regarding Child Care or Health and Safety inspections, please call 477-8341. NEW (Native Employment Works) Program is currently in need of job sites for clients, if you are interested in a TANF worker for your office, call 477-6765. WIA (Workforce Investment Act) Program will assist clients with Flagger Training Costs, if you meet income guidelines. Flagger trainings will be March 16, 2013 in Billings, MT and April 6, 2013 in Miles City, MT. If you have any questions call 477-6221.

TRIBAL EDUCATIONNorthern Cheyenne Tribal Education would

like to announce two scholarship deadlines coming up in March. PPL Montana, Colstrip SES and Northern Cheyenne Tribal Education have extended the deadline for a scholarship available to two students who are enrolled Northern Cheyenne students seeking their first Bachelor’s Degree and with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. The deadline will now be March 15, 2013.

The other scholarship is offered by Western Energy and Tribal Education and is available to any Northern Cheyenne tribal member seeking a degree applicable to mining such as business, accounting, engineering, human resources, forestry, range/wildlife biology, etc. The student must have a 2.5 GPA and must be accepted into or enrolled in a Montana university system, tribal or community college, or Powell Northwest College. The deadline for this scholarship is March 29, 2013.

For any information on these scholarships please contact the Tribal Education Program at (406) 477-6567.

OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHIn January, OEH has welcomed aboard

Patricia Ramos as the new Tribal Sanitarian. She will be working in collaboration with other departments to address any community and environmental health needs. Also, there will be a food handlers training sponsored by OEH and the MSU Extensions Office set for March 7, 2013 for anyone interested in the food service industry. Please contact Patricia at (406) 477-4409 for more information.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMSMeth & Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI)

and Honor Your Life would like to invite you to a community awareness gathering. Come listen to presentations from various programs about the services they offer. There will be food, activities, door prizes, and short presentations. Each presentation will take place in the evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m.Busby: Tuesday, March 5, 2013Ashland: Tuesday, March 12, 2013Lame Deer: Tuesday, March 19, 2013Muddy: Tuesday, March 26, 2013Birney: Wednesday, March 27, 2013

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSESIn January the Public Health Nurses held a

prenatal class on 1/28/13. This month is heart health, and they are inviting the community to come in for cholesterol screening. They also regularly provide Immunizations, TB Testing, Vitals, Diabetic Testing, STI aka STD Testing, and Rapid HIV Testing to the community. Phone#: (406) 477-4509Hours: Monday-Wednesday & Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.Closed on ThursdaysLocation: Indian Health Service, South WingFor prenatal classes contact: Casaja- (406) 477-4465

VETERAN’S AFFAIRS OFFICEVeterans Coordinator Charles Bearcomesout

would like to welcome all veterans to seek their V.A. Benefits. His office is located in the south wing of the Indian Health Services inside the WIC office. He is available to assist any veterans with making their medical appointments, transportation, and filing claims. There is also a Mobile Veterans Van that will be in Lame Deer at the IHS on March 13, 2013. On February 13, 2013, there was a Veteran’s meeting at the Casino which addressed important issues such as education, housing, jobs, medical, transportation, and treatment. The main topic of the meeting was Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Veteran’s Affairs Office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and you can reach him by phone at (406) 477-4548.

MEDICAL RESOURCESWe are able to make home visits for the

clients that have a hard time making it in to the office. We work with surrounding agencies when they think they have identified an individual that may qualify for one of the before mentioned programs. We receive referrals from The Tribal Health Department, Indian Health Service Contract Care, Self-referrals, Other local programs/agencies, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living centers. Our program is located in the Northern Cheyenne Indian Health Service behind Patient Registration. You can reach us by calling 406-477-4466, 477-4539 or 477-4523.

Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am- 3:00 pm, from 3-5pm our office is closed for paperwork.

The Billings Social Security Administration number is 1-866-895-1795 and their hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm on Wednesday their hours are 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

We have the Video Service Delivery system every Thursday in our office from 12:00 pm-3:00 pm. This is where you can sit and speak with a Billings Social Security Representative over the Video Service Delivery system in our office. You can apply for Social Security or SSI Benefits, change your address, and report changes, request replacement Social Security Cards, ask questions and much more.

PROGRAMSCHEYENNE COUNTRY | VOICE OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE

This is a partial listing of the tribal programs including an up-to-date summary of news and information. We strive to keep the community educated by providing the most up-to-date

information for your convenience.


Birney is less than ten miles from the future construction site for Otter Creek, LLC, the largest coal mine in the Powder River Basin. This may make more resources available to provide funding towards the building since a center in proximity to the mine could be used to disseminate health literature, hold public meetings, and conduct other events related to the mine.

The Tribal Council is currently planning to meet some of the expenses for the building by using an existing coal-bed methane shaft as a fuel source to heat the community center curtailing some of the expenses. Coal-bed methane provides a much cleaner and efficient energy source that is currently being used to replace expensive fossil fuels in this region.

In the 1960’s the US Geological Service dug a 780-foot deep well to test for coal bed methane. The test was successful and the well was tapped. The EDA now expects to use this source to heat not only the community center but the entire neighborhood allowing more of the Low Income Heat Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to be available to the other communities on the reservation.

BirneyContinued from Page 1

“What do you think of enforcing the Animal Ordinance?”

Sound Off A directive was issued recently allowing the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority the authorization to enforce the ordinance, which was

created in 2008 by then Tribal President Geri Small. The ordinance allows displaced animals to be collected and penned. Dogs deemed “vicious” can be put down immediately in a humane manner. Community members weigh in on the subject.

“I think they should go around and just ask people instead of just taking dogs.”

—Phylliss Firecrow, Lame Deer

“It’s a good thing for Lame Deer. I think it’s overdue. I mean animals and pets are family and everything but safety should come first. We have had problems at the club walking kids home and they’re afraid of the dogs.”

—Lane Spotted Elk, Lame Deer

“I agree and disagree. I agree that there is a reason for it but I disagree about how it’s being done. They tried to rope my dog. Then I heard they were loading up dogs down at the Depot and beating them in front of all sorts of people and dogs are sacred to the Cheyenne.

—Lloydine Runsabove, Lame Deer

“I think there are too darn many dogs on the rez. Probably more dogs than people.”

—Maurice Little, Lame Deer


The Birney Community Center in the background services the Birney village. Naturally occurring methane wells like the one above comes to the surface as the pressure within the coal seam declines.


According to Gondara, the dog population has diminished greatly through December and January of this year due to an outbreak of Parvovirus and distemper,

two very contagious diseases that are fatal to dogs when left untreated. When combined with mange, malnourishment, and the cold Montana winter weather the dogs perish. Over the course of the past few months she has lost over 20 rescued dogs to the illnesses and stray populations are down all over the reservation.

Based on Gondara’s experiences and the feedback she gets from her rescued dog adoptees, animals that have been saved can be very kind and loving. “In Portland we learned more about rescue animals as opposed to store bought or pure-bread,” she says remembering the first rescued dog she owned. The dog was a breeder at a puppy mill and despite owning other dogs at the time she made the dog a part of her family. “She rescued us in a lot of ways.”

The Cheyenne People believe that dogs are sacred animals and should be respected. “It’s about getting back to something in our culture, to how we valued and treated them,” Gondara states. “We need to change a mindset, an unhealthy one, in the community.”

Gondara remains unyielding even when she feels like giving up motivated by the belief that even if the dog doesn’t survive, at least they experienced something better than the unforgiving streets of the reservation. Between that and a tight-knit support group she continues to change the way people think about and treat animals. “I had to get a thicker skin. The dogs still need us.”

ReliefContinued from Page 1

“I try not to be judgmental. It’s about

the dogs. It’s the greater common good of the cause. It’s about the

animals. They shouldn’t have to suffer.”

Rez Dog Relief

In her efforts to make certain each dog gets something to eat Gondara can go through up to 60lbs of food in a single day. She travels to each community twice a week with bags of food donated by friends and relatives.

Rez Dogs are afflicted with diseases such as Parvovirus, Distemper, mange, and various infections bringing their lifespan to just two years. With immune systems already compromised from illness the winter weather is often fatal.

Cheyenne Country

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