TEB Extends Invite To Biden, Harris
Mask Order Discussed
The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board heard from Indian Health Service director Dennis Fourbear regarding the COVID-19 vaccination clinics. The clinics are now done by appointment and utilizing the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.
“We’re starting to see a decline in the vaccination clinics, but we’re still moving forward with all three vaccines,” Fourbear said to the board.
After the chairman’s report, the board moved on to committee recommendations. The Fort Peck Tribes Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program sent a $1 million order to American Scientific LLC for masks and protective equipment. The motion, brought forward by councilwoman Patt Runs Through, was to accept the first half of the shipment of KN95 masks.
This prompted a comment by chairman Floyd Azure, “I’ve been visiting with HPDP. These masks aren’t what they require for their first responders. I think HPDP should have been a bigger part of this.”
From the law and justice committee, headed by councilman Jestin Dupree, a motion was passed to recognize the enhanced efforts by President Joe Biden to increase the awareness of missing and murdered indigenous persons. The board then voted to send a letter of invitation to President Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
Councilman Alex Smith was the only board member to vote against sending the invitation. The Northern Plains Independent reached out to Smith about his vote.
“It certainly wasn’t vindictive,” he said. “I was actually leaning towards not voting on the motion. The motion did pass, so if they accept I’ll welcome them with open arms.”
The board ended with a series of resolutions aimed at creating work positions at the new wellness center in Poplar. Positions were created include a fitness manager, life guard, and security once the construction is complete.
