TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD INDIAN NATION, MONTANA Volume 18 Number 90 Held: Council Chambers, Pablo, MT Approved: September 13, 2018 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ronald Trahan, Chairman; Leonard Gray, Vice- Chairman; Dennis Clairmont; Carole Lankford; Leonard TwoTeeth; Charmel Gillin; and Myrna DuMontier. MEMBERS ABSENT: Shelly Fyant, Secretary (Montana Tribal Food Sovereignty Summit sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Billings, Montana); Anita Matt, Treasurer (Personal Time Off Ill); and James Steele, Jr. (Personal Time Off Health Appointment and Testing). OTHERS PRESENT: Jennifer Trahan, Council Office Manager; James Steele, Sr., Sergeant at Arms; and Abby Dupuis, Recording Secretary. The meeting was called to order at 9:13 a.m. Quorum established. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Carole Lankford. The for August 21, 2018 were presented for approval. MOTION by Charmel Gillin to approve the Tribal Council Meeting Minutes for August 21, 2018, with corrections. Seconded by Len TwoTeeth. Carried, 6 for; 1 abstention (Dennis Clairmont). The agenda was presented for approval. No conflicts of interest were identified. Additions were made to the agenda. Myrna DuMontier asked that the Tribes direct the tribal flags to fly at half-staff until Monday due to the passing of Senator John McCain. Mr. McCain was a great supporter of our need to exist and she is saddened by his passing and prayers for comfort for his family and ask help for them at this time. Chairman Trahan advised that the flags would be lowered. MOTION by Charmel Gillin to approve the agenda, with changes. Seconded by Carole Lankford. Carried, unanimous (7 present).
C.T. Camel, Tribal Forestry, gave a report. The Garden Creek Fire is out and the roads are open. There are currently no fires on the reservation. Restrictions will be lifted at midnight tomorrow. Sanders County off the reservation will remain in stage I for now. All lands on the reservation will be opened. Alberta Bertsch, Tribal Member, informed council of her mother s healthcare and need to have a caregiver. Alberta went through all the steps, and her son worked two weeks, but then was told an assessment was not done, so she called Tribal Health. The nurse said Alberta s mother was not eligible for elder care because she is on Medicaid. Nobody will take responsibility for this matter. They were told that the worker would be paid for the two weeks he worked, and then they would go through the State for future caregiver services. Alberta was then told they changed their mind and decided not pay her son because the staff did not want to get in trouble. Alberta is asking that her son get paid for those two weeks that he worked. Kelly Parker, Department of Human Resources Development, commented that Alberta s son does have a contract in place. An assessment was not done identifying the hours of care needed. DHRD does not know the hours he worked since there is no assessment identifying the hours of care needed. Alberta s mother is Medicaid eligible, so she would not have been eligible to be a DHRD client. Individuals on Medicaid are directed to self-pay. Council will follow up. Danielle Lefthand, Department of Human Resources Development, joined the meeting. The discussion continued in executive session. Clayton Matt, Tribal Services, joined the discussion. Council reconvened into regular session. Native American Financial Institutions and the Federal Reserve Bank Representatives met with council for a meet and greet. Jarred Brown requested to meet with council in executive session to discuss an enrollment matter. Laurence Kenmille, Enrollment Office; Cecille Brown, Rose McCrea, Chuck Tellier and Joanne Tellier were present for discussion. Charmel Gillin left the room for balance of the discussion. Council reconvened into regular session. ******** Break ******** Teresa Wall McDonald, Anna Whiting Sorrell and Brenda Bodnar, Tribal Health Department, requested approval to submit the Diabetes continuation grant. Page 2 of 8
MOTION by Dennis Clairmont to approve by resolution submission of the Diabetes continuation grant. Seconded by Leonard Gray. Carried, 7 for; 0 opposed; 0 not voting. RESOLUTION 18-191 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES THAT: WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes consider the health of tribal people to be one of the most important responsibilities of tribal government; and WHEREAS, in meeting this responsibility, the Tribes have established a Tribal Health Department (THD) to provide and manage health care in the Flathead service area; and WHEREAS, one of the most serious health problems facing the Tribes and Indian people in general is the disease of diabetes mellitus ("diabetes") and its complications; and WHEREAS, the Tribes qualify for these special diabetes programs for Indians funds and wish to use them to support a Flathead Diabetes Services with THD which will mount a comprehensive effort at diabetes prevention, intervention and treatment on the Flathead Reservation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Tribal Council authorizes that Tribal Council Chairman and his designated representative to negotiate and execute the grant award from Indian Health Service for the Tribal Health Department and the CSKT and any amendments thereto. Teresa Wall McDonald reminded council of the TAPO meetings. Yesterday the meetings were at Hot Springs and Arlee. One person provided comment in Hot Springs; two people commented in Arlee. Today s meetings are in Mission and Dixon. Kelly Parker, Danielle Lefthand and Mike Pierre, Department of Human Resources Development, requested approval for Jeannie Wabaunsee to be a personal home caregiver. MOTION by Carole Lankford to approve the hire of Jeannie Wabaunsee to be a personal home caregiver and follow the process. Seconded by Dennis Clairmont. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Page 3 of 8
Kelly Parker and Mike Pierre, Department of Human Resources Development, requested approval to submit an application for the Commodities program. MOTION by Carole Lankford to approve the resolution for the Commodities program. Seconded by Leonard Gray. Carried, 7 for; 0 opposed; 0 not voting. RESOLUTION 18-192 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SUBMITTAL OF THE FY 2019 APPLICATION FOR THE FOOD DISRIBUTION PROGRAM ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS (COMMODITY) PROGRAM BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES THAT: WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have prepared a budget request for funds to continue to operate the Tribes Commodity Program and, WHEREAS, the Tribal Council has created the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) to ensure that families receive the support necessary to achieve self sufficiency including nutritional supports and the Commodity Program provides such supports, and WHEREAS, the Department of Human Resources Development is the lead agency for continued operation of the Commodity Program and respectfully requests that the State of Montana, DPHHS, FDPIR, provide funds for continued operation of the program, as requested. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tribal Council Chairman and his designated representative are authorized to negotiate and execute the grant and or contact documents and any amendments thereto. Karissa Trahan, Tribal Education Department, requested contract modifications for Anna Baldwin and Elaine Meeks to add three more days to their facilitator contracts for the STEP program. MOTION by Len TwoTeeth to approve the contract modifications for Anna Baldwin and Elaine Meeks to add three more days to their facilitator contracts for the STEP program. Seconded by Carole Lankford. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Jeanne Christopher and Melanie Piedalue, Early Childhood Services, requested approval of hires on a three-year contract. All qualified tribal member applicants were hired. Page 4 of 8
MOTION by Carole Lankford to approve the hire of Michelle Williamson on a three-year contract. Seconded by Dennis Clairmont. Carried, 6 for; 1 opposed (Myrna DuMontier). MOTION by Dennis Clairmont to approve the hire of Kathleen Hopkins on a three-year contract. Seconded by Carole Lankford. Carried, 6 for; 1 opposed (Myrna DuMontier). MOTION by Carole Lankford to approve the hire of Angela Wallace as the Health Services Coordinator on a three-year contract. Seconded by Leonard Gray. Carried, 6 for; 1 abstention (Myrna DuMontier). Myrna DuMontier, for the record, I just am not in favor of a threeyear contract for tribal positons that could be filled with tribal members. I know it s a hassle to come back every year and refills those, but that s the positon I am taking. Janet Camel, Economic Development, requested approval to apply for the Northwest Area Foundation grant to help recirculate tribal dollars in the economy. The maximum grant amount is $80,000 for a two-year period; if successful, we can apply again. Public meetings will be held. The grant does not allow IDC but it will offset the $12,300 by applying a portion of the EDO salary to the grant funds. MOTION by Dennis Clairmont to approve by resolution submission of the Northwest Area Foundation Grant. Seconded by Leonard Gray. Carried, 6 for; 1 opposed (Charmel Gillin); 0 not voting. RESOLUTION 18-193 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NORTHWEST AREA FOUNDATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE FY19-20 VIBRANT TRIBAL ECONOMIES INITIATIVE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES THAT: WHEREAS, the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is the duly recognized governing body of the Flathead Reservation; and WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are committed to the sound planning and management of Flathead Reservation resources; and Page 5 of 8
WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) have directed the Office of Economic Development to fill the important need of diversification of revenues and protection of resources as the Tribes strive for self-sufficiency and planned economic development opportunities; and WHEREAS, on January 5, 2016, the Tribal Council adopted a five-year Sustainable, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy/Plan that includes a goal to develop a system that maximizes the flow of money in the local, Tribal economy and reduces economic leakage; and WHEREAS, the Tribal Council expressed interest in, and the Northwest Area Foundation has approved the CSKT s pre-application for, participation in the Foundation s Vibrant Tribal Economies (VTE) initiative that aims to help tribal communities explore the make-up of the Tribal economy, its major participants and how purchasing decisions can build additional economic opportunities for local Tribal citizens; and WHEREAS, the Northwest Area Foundation has invited CSKT to submit a full application for the VTE initiative, and the Foundation will provide consultant expertise to assist the Tribal Economic Development Office with holding meetings in 6-7 Tribal communities to assess needs, conduct studies, share data and create a plan to recirculate Tribal resources within and between these communities; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation approves the application for a $160,000 two-year Vibrant Tribal Economies grant from the Northwest Area Foundation, to be managed by the Tribal Economic Development Office, as outlined in the grant proposal. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Tribal Council Chairman and designated representative are hereby authorized to negotiate and execute the contract and any modification thereof. Council discussed a personnel matter. They will have a meeting on Monday to discuss further. ******** Lunch ******** Council recessed the regular meeting at 1:41 p.m. to conduct an Energy Keepers, Inc. shareholder representative meeting. Council reconvened into the regular meeting at 1:59 p.m. Page 6 of 8
Dan Lozar, Natural Resources Department, requested approval of an extension to contractor agreement 14-016 with Geum Environmental until December 31, 2019 and increase the not-to-exceed amount by $25,704.25. MOTION by Carole Lankford to approve an extension to contractor agreement 14-016 with Geum Environmental until December 31, 2019 and increase the not-to-exceed amount by $25,704.25. Seconded by Dennis Clairmont. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Dan Lozar, Natural Resources Department, requested approval to enter into a contractor agreement with DOWL to conduct the 2018 Reservoir Measurements and Evaporation Study Project in the amount of $35,114.00. MOTION by Charmel Gillin to approve entering into a contractor agreement with DOWL to conduct the 2018 Reservoir Measurements and Evaporation Study Project in the amount of $35,114.00. Seconded by Myrna DuMontier. Carried, unanimous (7 present). Carole Lankford was contacted by Daryl Ardis. He has a crew working on the South Crow Project and he feels his employees are not being treated properly. Daryl called the Indian Preference Office about wages and the Davis Bacon Law. Carole wants that looked into. The Personnel Director is unfamiliar with this issue and the IPO Coordinator position is currently vacant. Dan Lozar has been working with the Department of Labor about the wages on the midnight shift. Due to fire restrictions, they had to stop working at 1:00 p.m., so the work hours were changed. The question was whether there was a wage differential due to the changed work shift. Dan Lozar will continue to follow up. John Harrison, Tom McDonald, Pablo Chib Espinoza, and Stephanie Gillin, Bison Team, gave an update on the upcoming Bison Hunt. They need action from the tribal council to have a Yellowstone Bison Hunt season this year. They recommend orientation be required. Beatie Gulch management remains an issue. Council needs to take action if they want to continue the transfer program this year. 694 bison were taken through the transfer program, and 45 were hunted. Approximately 1,200 bison were removed from Yellowstone Park. About 500 animals need to be removed this year, based on this year s population. The CSKT bull hunt season was extended for two weeks; no additional bison were harvested during that time. The Blackfeet Tribe will hunt year-round and set no limit on tags. The CSKT hunters had no infractions during the hunt. The female hunt season could be extended for depredation reasons. MOTION by Leonard Gray to approve the 2018-2019 hunt season and require orientation. Seconded by Len TwoTeeth. Carried, unanimous (6 present Charmel Gillin out of the room). Page 7 of 8
John Harrison gave an overview of the Beatie Gulch memorandum of agreement. The Shoban Tribe and State of Montana did not sign on to that agreement. John requested consensus of council to authorize the Tribal Game Gardens to participate in the conference call with the Blackfeet Tribe tomorrow. It was the consensus of council to authorize the request. There is also a call with the Fish, Wildlife & Parks on Friday about the management of Beatie Gulch and come up with a solution to the concerns. Council met in executive session. ******** Break ******** Council reconvened into regular session. MOTION by Carole Lankford to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Myrna DuMontier. Carried, unanimous (4 present Dennis Clairmont, Len TwoTeeth and Leonard Gray out of the room). Council adjourned, and is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, August 30, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES /sgnd/ Shelly R. Fyant Tribal Secretary Page 8 of 8