News

Council Dispatch #162     May 2, 2023

Tribal Council

• Chairman McDonald announced there will be no afternoon council session on May 23 because the council members will be meeting with the Missoula County Commissioners.

• Council took action to waive the personnel policy and extend Wain Lefthand’s leave share until he has completed his disability insurance or returns to work.

• Bing Matt made a motion to pay out the Salazar money to the membership. Greg Spahr, Financial Management, clarified that the dividends received from the tribal corporations are already earmarked and allocated to specific budgets in the current fiscal year. The interest earnings budget funds Nkwusm, Kootenai Language Program, Salish Adult Language, Communications, contingency for emergency, Pow Wows and Celebrations, donations, Salish Language Conference, Kootenai Language Conference, Two Eagle River School supplement, Get Out The Vote, and Bison shipping/processing, for a total of $2,743,350.00. If the funding was taken away from these programs, other program budgets would need to be cut. The motion failed by a vote of 4 for and 6 opposed.

• Martin Charlo reminded council the Salish Pend d’Oreille Culture Committee Elders meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.

• Jennifer Finley gave a trip report on the Tourism Conference she attended in Helena last Monday and Tuesday. They talked about reconstituting the Flathead Reservation Tourism Committee to promote our own tourism.

• Ellie Bundy informed council that Salish Kootenai College is hosting a 5K Run/Walk this Saturday, May 6, to support MMIP. Funds raised will help fund the MMIP victim assistance fund. Everyone is encouraged to wear red in solidarity. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the SKC Gym parking lot, and the closing ceremony will be at 12:30 p.m. 

• Carole Lankford gave a report on the spay and neuter clinic that took place last Saturday. There were a few issues but there was a good turnout. The organization is fundraising and has raised $6,000 but still needs $7,500. Carole would like the Tribes to donate $1,000. She reached out to several entities for donations.

Financial Management

• Council approved a resolution authorizing the establishment of a new checking account for Third Party Collections at Glacier Bank. The CSKT will deposit $5 million into the account and the funds will be FDIC covered and earn a competitive interest rate.

• Len TwoTeeth requested a status report on dump fees. He asked if a solution was found and if there are dumpsters in the homesites with a dumping schedule. Greg Spahr advised he is working with Tom Johnson to get a list of the elders. Greg needs to follow up with Jody about the homesite dumpsters. Len wants there to be dumpsters in Elmo. Carole Lankford explained that SKHA having dumpsters in the homesites is something they do each spring and are not there for long-term use.

Natural Resources Department

• Council approved a request from Flathead Lakers for a collection permit to collect water quality samples at 9 beaches on the reservation for e. Coli bacteria for the Swim Guide online website.

Personnel Department

• Aligned at Work gave a presentation on the plan to review the human resources functions and gave an overview of the discovery process and timelines. The consultants will review personnel policies, including Ordinance 69D and the Grievance Policy.

Legal Department

• Council reached consensus to approve the two letters as presented.

Department of Public Health &  Human Services

• DPHHS Representatives met with council as part of the spring tribal tour. A packet of information was provided, including a copy of the updated organizational chart. THIP reporting requirements were placed on hold during the health emergency, so that will now go back into place. The pharmacy flexibility was put into place to not have to get prior authorization for certain medications, the ability to refill prescriptions early, and get a 90-day supply for certain medications. Prior authorization will be required again. Those changes will go into effect on May 12, 2023. Medical services via telephone have had a great impact and will remain in effect. The THIP reports will be required starting July 1. The changes to the kids in congregate care will go into effect July 1. DPHHS had been absorbing the cost because they had a grant; the grant is done now, so they cannot pay for that anymore. The packet of information included the agenda for the SNAP Tribal Consultation scheduled for June 7 in Helena. DPHHS will cover the costs for 4 tribal representatives to attend the consultation.

NOTE:  The official Council Minutes will contain more complete details about lengthy discussions and should be considered the official record of Council. Dispatches are written from notes taken live and may occasionally contain partial information, over-simplified characterizations or an occasional error. Council reviews and corrects the draft minutes before approving as the official record.  Comments (both affirmations and concerns) are part of change and are expected and encouraged. Along with any specific comments, please also share what you would like to hear more about in upcoming communications. The email address for comments is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Council Dispatch #160     April 25, 2023

Department of Human Resources Development

• Council clarified they want to generate information and respond within sixty days, and have all tribal departments participate in the security assessment for their buildings to be part of the planning document to be developed and took action to have all tribal departments participate in the security threat assessment and have it completed within sixty days.

Financial Management

• Council approved by resolution modification 11 to the fiscal year 2023 Total Budget Allocations.

Indian Preference Office

• Council approved a project specific agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation for the WS 3 - Johnson Wetland Mitigation, STPX 24(55), UPN 8583000 project. The project will be let in late 2023 and completed in 2024.

Food Sovereignty Program

• Council approved a resolution supporting the 2023 application to USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Agreement for Food Sovereignty Program funding in the amount of $400,000. The program is a partner with Mission West Co-Op.

Enrollment Office

• Council discussed a request to approve a resolution to go back to the old resolution to distribute any remaining burial funds to the beneficiaries. The Burial and Cremation Benefits Policy had been changed, but a resolution is required. The staff will compile a report on how many families would be affected. It was the consensus of council to place the request on the five-day rule.

• Council approved a resolution establishing the approval of the DNA results for #203-UO09678 to increase the blood quantum using the biological father’s blood quantum. The request was reviewed by the Enrollment Committee. 

• Council approved a resolution approving the relinquishment of Keya Marie Birdsbill (203-UO10121) from the CSKT rolls. The request was reviewed by the Enrollment Committee.

S&K Technologies

• Council had a meet and greet with the DCMA contractors and staff who are visiting the S&K Technologies headquarters this week.

NOTE:  The official Council Minutes will contain more complete details about lengthy discussions and should be considered the official record of Council. Dispatches are written from notes taken live and may occasionally contain partial information, over-simplified characterizations or an occasional error. Council reviews and corrects the draft minutes before approving as the official record.  Comments (both affirmations and concerns) are part of change and are expected and encouraged. Along with any specific comments, please also share what you would like to hear more about in upcoming communications. The email address for comments is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Council Dispatch #161     April 27, 2023

Tribal Council

• Chairman McDonald reminded council that the sign dedication ceremony at Grant Creek is next Monday in Missoula, at 2:30 p.m., with the County Commissioner and the Mayor. The Ronan Clinic dedication is next Thursday afternoon.

Tribal Executive Office

• Michael Hsu, Barry Wides, and Ammar Askari, Comptroller of Currency Office, met with council as part of their Montana Indian Country Tour. The Comptroller of Currency Office supervises banks and ensures that national banks and federal savings associations operate in a safe and sound manner, provide fair access to financial services, treat customers fairly, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Topics discussed included financing, credit, fair access to financing, financial literacy, financial inclusion, affordable housing, and small business development. The Native American Finance Officers Association and the Native Community Development Financial Institutions Network provide training and advocate for good economic policies, capital, and resources for native communities.

Early Childhood Services

• Council approved a resolution to request funding from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start for Head Start and Early Head Start and expansion funding.

• Council approved a resolution to request funding from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start for the annual cost-of-living adjustment and quality improvement funds.

Mission Valley Power Utility Board

• Council took action to approve a letter to John Hairston, Bonneville Power Administration, requesting to permanently remove the Hell Roaring Resource from Mission Valley Power’s total retail load.

• Council took action to approve a letter to John Hairston, Bonneville Power Administration, requesting to temporarily remove Boulder Hydro from Mission Valley Power’s total retail load.

• Council took action to approve comments to Bonneville Power Administration on the regional policy to expand the definition of those utilities that can qualify and benefit from Tier 1 rates.

Natural Resources Department

• Council took action to go with the recommendations of the staff and approve the low bids for the Jocko Irrigation Canal to Pipe Project K-Canal System Materials Bid for phases 1 – 4. The bids closed on April 17, 2023. 

Tribal Lands Department

• Council approved the advertisement of the 2023 Fireworks bid packet.

• Council considered a request from Agricultural Lessee # 4039 for a five-year extension through December 31, 2031 at the current lease rate. The lessee was awarded a five-year lease in May 2021 for $2,000, and that lease expires December 31, 2026. The lessee plans to disk up 30 acres and replant with pasture mix, and plant oats, peas, and barley as a nurse crop.  The lease contains 60 acres and the Tribes own 97% of the property.  Council took action to deny the request.

• Council took action to hold off on making a decision on the 2023 Spring Bids until additional information is obtained.

• Council approved a sole source contract with Manuel Marquez through September 30, 2024. A contract is required in order to pay him for services already rendered to deal with a water issue at the Black Bear Ranch.

• Council approved a sole source contract with Nicholas Hogan to provide appraisals on an as-needed basis.

• Council took action to approve a five-year temporary closure of the Elmo burned area for recovery of resources.

• There was discussion regarding the Moiese Road easement. The original easement on record with the county is where Crow Creek enters the river. The easement needs to be modified to reflect the current route. Council approved the modification to the easement.

NOTE:  The official Council Minutes will contain more complete details about lengthy discussions and should be considered the official record of Council. Dispatches are written from notes taken live and may occasionally contain partial information, over-simplified characterizations or an occasional error. Council reviews and corrects the draft minutes before approving as the official record.  Comments (both affirmations and concerns) are part of change and are expected and encouraged. Along with any specific comments, please also share what you would like to hear more about in upcoming communications. The email address for comments is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..