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NEWS AND EVENTS

LITTLE SHELL NEWS

Little Shell Tribal Council: Statement of Mnaadendimowin - Respect

The Elders Society has requested that we share with our Little Shell tribal members the Seven Grandfather Teachings principle of “Mnaadendimowin – Respect.” This traditional teaching tells us to live honorably in your actions towards all things. To honor all creation is to have respect. The Little Shell Tribal Council has instilled this principle by creating an inclusive and welcoming community.

Recently, we have seen Little Shell tribal members not abide by this important and traditional teaching. Instead, we have seen acts of bullying, belittling, and disrespect. We have seen tribal members hurt others by their inaccurate claims. This is not how our ancestors taught us to live honorably.

Article V, Section II of the Little Shell Constitution states that “[a]ny Indian of Pembina ancestry and one-quarter (1/4) degree Indian blood” is entitled to Little Shell tribal enrollment. This Constitutional clause requires two separate criteria for membership (1) lineage to a Pembina ancestor that can be found on the Roe Cloud Roll, McCumber Roll and/or the McLaughlin Report; and (2) at least one-quarter blood quantum from any federally or state recognized tribe. The Little Shell Tribal Enrollment Department has worked tirelessly to abide by our tribal laws and codes.

The Tribal Council will not tolerate attempts to tear us apart and divide us based on blood quantum and defining who is more “Indian.” All Little Shell tribal members belong. We must all follow the Seven Grandfather teachings of Mnaadendimowin – Respect. With Mnaadendimowin – Respect, we will remain a strong tribal community and we will continue to build a truly great tribal nation.

LITTLE SHELL SEPTEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

The Little Shell Tribe (“LST”) was recently awarded its first Tribal Transportation Program 638 contract from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (“BIA”) to begin initial transportation planning efforts. As a result, LST is seeking qualified consultants to provide planning services, lead planning and evaluation activities, and coordinate stakeholder and partner engagement to develop the LST Long Range Transportation Plan (“LRTP”). In addition to the LRTP development, consultants will be asked to include development of the initial four-year Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (“TTIP”) that would result from the LRTP and support updates to the National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory (“NTTFI”). Proposals must be submitted on or before Friday, October 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time. All questions should be directed tocontracting@lstribe.org. Additional information is available regarding the RFP here.

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS FOR PEOPLE 5 YEARS OLD AND UP

There are four approved or authorized vaccines in the United States.

 

 

  • Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine and can be given in some situations.

 

If you or anyone you know is wanting to get vaccinated, or have their children vaccinated, please contact our Care Coordinator at (406) 315-2400 ext 132 and speak with Travis. He will be glad to assist you in any way he can!

LITTLE SHELL FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROGRAM

The Little Shell Tribal Council is pleased to announce the creation of the Little Shell Food Sovereignty Program. The Tribe created this program to confront food shortages that our tribal community has faced during the pandemic. However, it will also help sustain the Tribe well into the future.

 

The Tribe chose to center this program in and around one of our historic communities at Hill 57. To accomplish this the Tribe has purchased acreage around and on Hill 57 that will support crops and cattle. This is a major development for our people that will provide for our sustenance while reclaiming our history.

Never again can anyone call the Tribe the “Landless Indians.”

The Tribal Council expects cattle delivery in the next few months and will release further details about the program’s operation at that time.

GUIDANCE FOR COVID-19 PREVENTION IN K-12 SCHOOLS

Key Takeaways

 

Students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to in-person instruction in the fall 2021 is a priority.

 

Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic.  Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports.

 

Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated. Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

 

CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing by people who are not fully vaccinated, to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking.

 

Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

 

Students, teachers, and staff should stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care.

LITTLE SHELL EVENTS

FREE MEALS

The Montana Food Bank Network has a food service program, to provide lunch for kids and teens 18 and under. No application, no registration. Text “food” to 877-877 or visit www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks to find a location near you.

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Stay informed and receive updates via your smart phone regarding Little Shell events and happenings. Text 574 to 85100