who can’t make Thursdays and ….
who can’t make Thursdays and Fridays. Councilman Terry Rattling Thunder was concerned that although people are being vaccinated in Wolf Point and Poplar, they shouldn’t forget other communities like Brockton or Fort Kipp. Fourbear assured the board that there are plans in place for these other communities, but IHS is too short on staff to implement the plans just yet.
Councilwoman Carolyn Brugh told Fourbear that a family had been trying to get their girl into IHS for COVID testing, but neither clinic in Wolf Point and Poplar would administer the test. Instead, the family went to Listrude’s Clinic, where the test was administered.
“They called, but they got the run around” Brugh said, “The girl now has to go to Listrude’s where they’ll have to spend money out of pocket. [...] Both clinics were neither compassionate nor helpful.” Fourbear said that he told the managers at both clinics to test patients who show symptoms. Councilman Leonard Crowbelt spoke up then about his experience with IHS: “Either they don’t answer or they put you on hold”, he told Fourbear, “To me, that’s a problem.” The director then suggested that a 24hour COVID hotline be implemented. He then thanked the council for bringing these issues to him and ended his report.
The Finance Committee got a yes vote on their motion to approve a star quilt and a gift of $500 to Carol Bemer for her retirement from the Fort Peck Tribes Community Service Program.
Discussions got heated after Councilman Dana Buckles brought forth a motion to approve a onetime contract in the amount of $5,000 to the Lice Angels of Wolf Point, utilizing the Fort Peck Tribes third party billing service. Gourneau, Chairman Floyd Azure and Councilwoman Kaci Wallette chimed in regarding the third party service.
Gourneau argued that each tribal program should be receiving money directly from the Tribes. Azure told the board that if it wanted these direct payments, they should’ve created a centralized billing service. Brugh then reminded the Chairman that she had attempted centralization in the previous board term, but the directors of each tribal program protested against the act. The motion passed.
