MusEco Media Education Project at Lame Deer High School
By Francesca Pine

You may have seen KTVQ’s “Green Man” series at some point, but two weeks ago, the Green Man (aka Scott Prinzing) came to Lame Deer to talk to  students during an assembly.  The Green Man is known for emphasizing or has already emphasized communicating information and resources about sustainable living and sustainable business to the public.  From his academic background in American Indian Studies, combined with his lifelong study of music and his particular interest in the music of Montana Indians, Scott has developed a specialty area in contemporary musical expression of American Indian people.  Scott delivered Indian Music: More Than Drums and Flutes, a presentation about the variety of musical genres explored by American Indian musicians, past and present.  (Source: www.museco.org)

FEDERAL SEQUESTOR HOW WILL IT AFFECT NORTHERN CHEYENNE?

(Reprinted from the Fort Peck Journal)

Federal budget cuts could harm Chief Dull Knife College and other tribal colleges. According to a report by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium AIHEC, a six percent cut in operating funds is expected across the board. On top of that, research funding will drop from all federal sources. Programs such as TRIO are expected to e cut by $66 million and federal work study programs will be cut by more than $50 million.

“Sequestration undermines the trust, treaty, and statutory obligations to American Indian tribal governments. It is a travesty to democracy and could be cataclysmic for American Indian higher education, which impacts every aspect of life in our nation’s tribal communities and reservations, “ said AIHEC President Carrie Billy. A report in the Community College Times, a publication of the American Association of Community Colleges, states that many community colleges, including the tribal colleges, will be affected negatively by the automatic federal funding cuts. Last week many associations, special interest groups including AIHEC outlined the potential effects of the sequestration. The effects of sequestration can be especially devastating for tribal colleges, according to AIHEC, which represents 37 tribally controlled higher education institutions that includes CDKC. According to AIHEC, federal cuts to tribal colleges, all of which are already operating shoe-string budgets, would result in campus reductions to student financial aide, support services like day care and tutoring.

These cuts could trigger a devastating domino effect, according to AIHEC officials, since American Indians have higher drop out rates and higher mortality rates from accidents, disease and homicide.

Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS is expected to take the worst hit of all. Because of the way the sequester is structured, the immediate impact on direct federal programs is likely to be greater. This would be felt on colleges funded directly by the B.I.A,.

Haskell is looking at an immediate budget cut of as much as 29 percent. This would put further stain on Haskell’s faculty and staff. Right now, they are already furloughed (put on leave without pay) for 12 weeks. If it continues, the university could be at risk at being closed. While the budget cuts also affect other federally funded programs serving Tribes, it in not known at this time the specifics for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe But, we do know that the Tribe recently approved a budget increase.

FIRES LAST SUMMER. POSSIBLE FLASH FLOODS THIS YEAR?

A good crowd of folks from Ashland, the Northern Cheyenne Res-ervation, Otter Creek and Custer County areas gathered at the St. Labre Auditorium on Wednesday, March 6th to hear from the National Weather Ser-vice (NWS), Forest Service and Disas-ter Emergency Service (DES) person-nel.

The topic: we better prepare for the possibility of flash flooding this spring and summer as a result of the fires that ravaged the area last year. ―The threat of flooding has heightened—double what it is in nor-mal years,‖ warned Tom Frieders, NWS Warning Coordinator and Mete-orologist, Billings office. In normal conditions he said, the water soaks into the ground and for-est litter and the trees store water, but as a result of the fires, the soil has formed a ―concrete‖ surface. Water then runs down carrying much debris and sediment. Steepness of the terrain is also a factor. ―The impacts of flooding are greater in the first year after the fires. Even one-third inch of rain in fifteen minutes can cause spring flooding, he said. Andy Efta, Forest Service

Hydrologist reported that the Forest Service conducted an assessment of local burns to identify areas most at risk. The Forest Service applied for and received Wildlands Fire Suppres-sion funds to make improvements where flooding might occur. Im-provements will be made this spring and summer, including culvert en-hancement where roads could be flooded. ―If you are in a potential flood area, be aware of the threat of quick rainfall and be ―ready to go‖, Frieders advised. He urged local residents to plan in advance by: contacting local officials when conditions warrant; having an evacuation plan/escape route; preparing emergency supply kits (see ready.gov for ideas) and staying informed.

Frieders also talked about the importance of ―not driving in any area of moving water, especially roadways. ―It takes less than one foot of water to wash a vehicle off the road. This causes many flood-related fatalities,‖ he warned.

Rosebud County Commis-sioner Ed Joiner, also the former

A good number of folks from the Ashland area turned out to hear a National Weather Service report about the danger of flash floods as a result of the heavy fires that ravaged the area last summer.

Tribal DES Coordinator com-mented ―This is not good news. It sounds like the poten-tial for flash flooding is very high.‖ Ron Spang, acting tribal DES coordinator and Pat Dennis, Deputy DES Coordi-nator for Rosebud County who planned the event shared Joiner‘s concerns. ―We need to prepare for this possibility,‖ Dennis urged. ―People in high risk areas can let us know in advance, so we can be better prepared.‖ Contact telephone num-bers for area DES agencies are: Carole Raymond, Rosebud County Coordinator 346-7968; Pat Dennis, Rosebud County Deputy DES Coordinator: 740-0252; Tribal DES office: 477-6914.

NORTHERN CHEYENNE ELDERLY PROGRAM PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO RESERVATION RESIDENTS AGED SIXTY AND OVER

The Northern Cheyenne Elderly Program has been providing services to elders (age 60 and over) for “longer” than Roberta Bigback, three year Director can remember.
“It has been a long-term program, funded by both the Federal and State governments to provide essential services to elders who reside on the Reservation,” she explained.
The program is funded by two sources: Title XI, the Administration on Aging, Federal funding and Title III, State of Montana.
A mainstay of the program is the hot nutritious meals served Monday through Friday at the Shoulderblaade
Blade Center in Lame Deer; the Ashland Center and take-out meals to about 20 “home-bound” clients.
In FY 2012, the Program provided 22,831 meals to eligible seniors.  But, younger folks can also enjoy the meals for a ‘donation’ of $3.00.
Under the government funded programs, a variety of services are provided:
· Supportive Services such as transportation for meals; medical appointments; shopping and other needs on the Reservation
· Home chores such as light housekeeping, light yard work and cookingInformation and assistance such as coordinating with other agencies for assistance;
· Health, cooking and other educational classes; Senior recreational and social activities such as Bingo; and telephone reassurance. The Title III program Bigback said primarily funds the meals for the Ashland meal site. Meals are served from Monday—Friday including the delivery to about 20 home-bound elders. The daily rate ranges from about 80 meals per day to 130. “At the end of the month, we have more clients when people run short of funds,” Bigback said. Roberta is also concerned about funding for the program.  “Food costs are rising, while our budgets have remained the same,” she explained.  “We are also worried about the possibility of Federal

The Northern Cheyenne Elderly
Program has been providing
services to elders (age 60 and over)
for “longer” than Roberta Bigback,
three year Director can remember.
“It has been a long-term program,
funded by both the Federal and
State governments to provide essential
services to elders who reside on
the Reservation,” she explained.
The program is funded by two
sources: Title XI, the Administration
on Aging, Federal funding and Title
III, State of Montana.
A mainstay of the program is
the hot nutritious meals served Monday
through Friday at the Shoulder-
Colstrip Colt wrestler Seth Currier looks to pin a Broadus Hawk last Thursday
Tommy Robinson Photo
Blade Center in Lame Deer; the Ashland
Center and take-out meals to about 20
“home-bound” clients.
In FY 2012, the Program provided
22,831 meals to eligible seniors.
But, younger folks can also enjoy the
meals for a ‘donation’ of $3.00.
Under the government funded
programs, a variety of services are provided:
 Supportive Services such as transportation
for meals; medical appointments;
shopping and other needs on
the Reservation
 Home chores such as light housekeeping,
light yard work and cook-
NORTHERN CHEYENNE ELDERLY PROGRAM
PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO
RESERVATION RESIDENTS AGED SIXTY AND OVER
Insert First State Bank Logo—color
Along with other info Remember that
Wendy?
ing;
 Information and assistance
such as coordinating with
other agencies for assistance;
 Health, cooking and other
educational classes;
 Senior recreational and social
activities such as Bingo;
 and telephone reassurance.
The Title III program
Bigback said primarily funds
the meals for the Ashland meal
site.
Meals are served from
Monday—Friday including the
delivery to about 20 homebound
elders. The daily rate
ranges from about 80 meals per
day to 130. “At the end of the
month, we have more clients
when people run short of
funds,” Bigback said.
Roberta is also concerned
about funding for the
program. “Food costs are rising,
while our budgets have remained
the same,” she explained.
“We are also worried
about possible budget cuts. That
would be devastating to our program.
And to our elders who depend
upon the meals.”
The Elderly Program is
located at the Shoulderblade Center
in Lame Deer where they have
offices, a kitchen and dining area.
The rest of the complex, dedicated
to resident services (lowincome
apartments) cont. pg 11

Tribal Budget Troubles

As reported earlier, the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council recently approved a tribal budget increase of $459,000 for FY 2013, which included a number of new hires, abolished other tribal positions and provided for the establishment of a Tribal Media effort, including a tribal newspaper. That action was decided by a tie vote 5-5, broken by the Tribal President who has the constitutional authority to vote in case of ties.

That budget increase proved very controversial in the community indicated  by community demonstrators at the Council meeting on February 21, 2013.  “The Cheyenne People are awake and active now,” said Kristina Red Bird, Lame Deer District Chairperson. The budget increase in question was earlier sent back to the Tribe  by the Bureau of Indian Affairs which also has constitutional authority to approve or disapprove all Tribal Council actions. As reported to A Cheyenne Voice by Tribal Council member Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher on Thursday, February 21st, the budget was “overrode” by the Tribal Council with a vote of 8-2.  According to Fisher, only two Council members, L. Jace Killsback, Busby  and Donna Fisher, Ashland supported the budget increase.

Fisher then went on to move for a “freeze” on all new hires and pay increases.  “That motion died to lack of a second,” he said. “Now,” Fisher went on to explain, “we are operating on the budget approved in October, 2012″

US Highway 212 Road Safety Audit

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in cooperation with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Highway Administration, initiated a Road Safety Audit (RSA) on US 212 on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in response to a letter from the Tribe expressing safety concerns.  The RSA is being completed by Robert Peccia and Associates, a consulting engineering firm located in Helena.

An RSA is a formal safety performance review of a corridor by a multi-disciplinary team.  The RSA is conducted to evaluate the corridor and generate recommendations and countermeasures for roadway segments or intersections which demonstrate a history of crashes, or an identifiable pattern of crash types.  An RSA involves data collection, field review, and the development of short-, mid-, and long-term improvement options to address identified issues.  Implementation responsibilities fall to the appropriate jurisdiction and because the RSA process considers local needs and conditions, recommendations can be implemented incrementally as time and resources permit.

The RSA process revolves around a single event known as the “audit workshop”.  For the US Highway 212 RSA, the audit workshop spanned two days in October, 2012.  The purpose of the workshop was to gather input from Tribal, local, state, and federal officials and to conduct an on-site field review of the corridor. A multi-disciplinary approach to transportation safety was taken for the audit workshop.  An audit team was assembled with representatives from the “Four E’s” of transportation safety: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency Services.

“This is the end of an Era for the Cheyenne People And All the other People in this area that Father Emmett loved” -Jamie Olsen, Heritage Living Center Director

With tears in his eyes, Jamie Olsen, Heritage Living Center Director and very long time friend of Father Emmett Hoffmann noted “This is the end of an era. Father Emmett had a love and devotion in his heart for the people of this area that will not soon be matched.”

Olsen was tired when he spoke with A Cheyenne Voice, having spent the past few days and nights tending a vigil fire behind the Heritage Living Center that burned continuously from the time of Father Emmett’s passing last week until his burial on Tuesday, February 5th.   “It was a simple thing that we could do,” Olsen  said .“Thank you to the Heritage Living staff, the community members and others who helped with this memorial effort.” Olsen said.

“Father Emmett”, as he was lovingly called by the Cheyenne People was buried behind the Heritage Living Center in a peaceful spot that he had personally selected.As an adopted Northern Cheyenne Chief, he received the full tribal honors associated with that.

His beloved companion of fourteen years, “Fergie” a Scottish Terrier, whom Father called a “spoiled mutt” was laid to rest with him.

See full obituary on Page  8

NORTHERN CHEYENNE ELDERLY PROGRAM PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO RESERVATION RESIDENTS AGED SIXTY AND OVER

The Northern Cheyenne Elderly Program has been providing services to elders (age 60 and over) for “longer” than Roberta Bigback, three year Director can remember.

“It has been a long-term program, funded by both the Federal and State governments to provide essential services to elders who reside on the Reservation,” she explained.

The program is funded by two sources: Title XI, the Administration on Aging, Federal funding and Title III, State of Montana.

A mainstay of the program is the hot nutritious meals served Monday through Friday at the Shoulderblade

Blade Center in Lame Deer; the Ashland Center and take-out meals to about 20 “home-bound” clients.

In FY 2012, the Program provided 22,831 meals to eligible seniors.  But, younger folks can also enjoy the meals for a ‘donation’ of $3.00.

Under the government funded programs, a variety of services are provided:

• Supportive Services such as transportation for meals; medical appointments; shopping and other needs on the Reservation
• Home chores such as light housekeeping, light yard work and cooking;
• Information and assistance such as coordinating with other agencies for assistance;
• Health, cooking and other educational classes;
• Senior recreational and social activities such as Bingo;
• and telephone reassurance.

The Title III program Bigback said primarily funds the meals for the Ashland meal site. Meals are served from Monday—Friday including the delivery to about 20 home-bound elders. The daily rate ranges from about 80 meals per day to 130. “At the end of the month, we have more clients when people run short of funds,” Bigback said. Roberta is also concerned about funding for the program.  “Food costs are rising, while our budgets have remained the same,” she explained.  “We are also worried about the possibility of Federal budget cuts. That would be devastating to our program. And to our elders who depend upon the meals.”  The Elderly Program is located at the Shoulderblade Center in Lame Deer where they have offices, a kitchen and dining area. The rest of the complex, dedicated to resident services (low-income apartments)  cont. pg 11

THESE BOYS ARE ―PRETTY PROUD‖ OF THEIR ROADS—Justin Schindler, Busby DOT Supervisor

The four man crew at the Busby DOT station are ready for winter: snow plowing season for the 356 miles of highway they maintain (Big Horn County—Rosebud County line including the Kirby Route to the MT/WY State line).
And they are „tickled‟ that the new DOT Maintenance Building, financed by the State at the tune of $575,000 is nearly fin-ished. “The heating and cooling system alone probably cost $100,000” Schindler said. “That‟s to help reduce the problem of mold when frozen machines thaw out.”
The Busby crew relies upon four snow plows, including a brand new machine-a freight liner- purchased this year. On an average winter, they put in about 120 hours of overtime to clear the roads for us.
So far, this has been a light snow year, but as Schindler pointed out, the area typically gets the most snow in February and March. Still, they are prepared for “around the clock” coverage at any time. The snow plow drivers had several tips for drivers (see column.) Veteran driver, Kevin Lonebear urged motor-ists to “stay back” from
Continued on page 13

―We are going to re-do the Face of Lame Deer by working together‖ – Tribal President John Robinson As Tribal Board, Committee, Commission Members Are Sworn Into Office and received training on January 16, 2012

For the first time in tribal history, all of the newly appointed members of tribal Boards, Committees and Commissions were formally sworn into office by President John Robinson and then received training about their roles and responsibilities as tribal officials.
Linwood Tallbull representing the Busby District on the Natural Resources Board. said ― It was the first time, we’ve ever done this. President Robinson wants to get all the Boards together from time-to-time to discuss common issues and our progress. Bob Gouchie really knew how to provide the Board training. It was excellent. I really enjoyed it and look forward to working with this tribal administration and our Cheyenne People.‖
President Robinson made uplifting and visionary remarks. ―We have educational challenges, employment and job training challenges; housing challenges; land use challenges, environmental concerns and many other challenges,‖ he reminded the packed house at the Charging Horse Casino. ―Our job over the next four years is to work through these challenges together. We will get out of the rut we are in.
But, he said confidently, we have resources: educated people, traditions, historians and people with vision. That is why we are going to re-do the face of Lame Deer,
A huge project that requires cooperation and coordination from everyone.
We are going to take on the GIANT environ-mentalists so that Otter Creek can get going. We are going to get cell phone service, currently a gigantic void. We will establish a transportation program etc…