By Josh Margolis
FORT BELKNAP, Mont. (NMB) – The Montana Legislature’s Interim State-Tribal Relations Committee visited Fort Belknap on Wednesday in order to gain insight on the issues impacting the Reservation.
After touring Island Mountain Development Group and the Buffalo Pasture, the Committee spent the afternoon at Aaniiih Nakoda College, where they spoke with members of the Tribal Council and other area politicians, including the entire Blaine County Commission.
One issue brought up by Tribal Councilor Warren Morin was the need for a new community center on the southern end of the Reservation. Morin says a portion of the John Capture Center is condemned, and there is a major mental health problem among youth in the area.
“The kids need recreation. There’s absolutely nothing for them to do, especially in winter months. We have a high suicide rate, we’re hurting. Families are hurting, there’s a lot of trauma in the communities and the wellness center also has a clinical wing on it which deals with behavioral health, chemical dependency, and diabetes. The front end of your health rather than the back end.”
Morin says they hope to break ground this spring but may have to wait until next year.
According to Morin, the new building would cost about $20 million. Fort Belknap has already allocated $11 million through COVID relief funding and can secure another $4 million through a new market tax credit.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included ensuring voting access, the proposed water compact, jurisdictional issues, fee-to-trust land status, and the ongoing drought.
