Debate Sparked Over Gaming Machines At Tribal Board Meeting
The Fort Peck Tribes executive board gathered for their bimonthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 8. One of the first actions of the new board was to approve a resolution directing the Fort Peck Reservation to return to Phase 1 COVID restrictions for a two week period. The board ordered the new restrictions on Nov 2 during a committee hearing with a seven signature resolution. The resolution passed on Monday codified it in a full board resolution.
During this time, essential workers will continue to work and schools will be recommended to shut down. Non-essential workers will not receive hazard pay or accrue any leave. The restrictions are in effect until Nov 16.
The board then voted to remove the BIA burn ban on the reservation, an action recommended by BIA superintendent Anna Eder.
Though chairman Floyd Azure has expressed his hopes to area media that the new board move forward together, debate sparked between new members of the board and members of the previous board over the tribal gaming machines at TJ’s Quick Stop.
Councilwoman Stacy Summers and councilman Bryce Kirk both agreed that the decision to store the machines away was bad for business. Councilman Terry Rattling Thunder went further saying that the tribal gaming director is a professional who should be allowed to do their duty for the tribe and that the previous board had gotten in the way.
Towards the end of the discussion, councilman Wayne Martell stated that since the lease to the building was transferred to Bill Prichard that the gaming license would transfer as well.
Councilwoman Carolyne Brugh argued that the decision was made due to the current legal situation with BP Construction and Bill Prichard who owns TJ’s Quick Stop.
Councilwoman Patt Iron Cloud Runs Through spoke to the board about why a gaming license shouldn’t be granted to TJ’s.
“You cannot buy your way out of a crime. [BP Construction] committed a crime when they took our money and refused to complete the contract,” Runs Through stated.
Azure reminded the board that a resolution was passed in 2018 to accept a bid from BP Construction and mediation hadn’t decided yet whether BP owes any money to the tribes.
