Press Release – Mask Mandate Update

PRESS RELEASE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

Browning, MT – On Friday, February 12, 2021, Governor Greg Gianforte has stated he will lift the statewide mask mandate.
While the Blackfeet Reservation is located in northwest Montana, the following is a statement from the tribe regarding masks:

“The Blackfeet Reservation is a sovereign nation and will continue to adhere to a mandatory mask mandate which was authorized by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council under Ordinance 121 at the beginning of this pandemic in March of 2020. The Blackfeet Tribe will continue every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, social distancing, practicing hand hygiene (washing hands and/or use of hand sanitizer) and following recommended CDC guidelines.”

The Blackfeet Reservation is home to around 10,000 residents. Since the pandemic outbreak late last winter, there have been 1,359 cases and 46 deaths of enrolled tribal members due to COVID-19.

Blackfeet Reservation will continue mandatory mask mandate

PRESS RELEASE 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

Browning, MT – On Friday, February 12, 2021, Governor Greg Gianforte has stated he will lift the statewide mask mandate.

While the Blackfeet Reservation is located in northwest Montana, the following is a statement from the tribe regarding masks:

“The Blackfeet Reservation is a sovereign nation and will continue to adhere to a mandatory mask mandate which was authorized by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council under Ordinance 121 at the beginning of this pandemic in March of 2020.  The Blackfeet Tribe will continue every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, social distancing, practicing hand hygiene (washing hands and/or use of hand sanitizer) and following recommended CDC guidelines.”

The Blackfeet Reservation is home to around 10,000 residents.  Since the pandemic outbreak late last winter, there have been 1,359 cases and 46 deaths of enrolled tribal members due to COVID-19.

PUBLIC NOTICE – FEBRUARY 10, 2021

The Incident Command is now under the Emergency Winter Plan effective February 10, 2021.
If you need emergency wood (completely out and it’s your only source of heat) you will be priority and if you need food, please contact Emergency Dispatch at 338-2946 or 338-2231.
If you need shelter, contact Crystal Creek at 338-6330.
All other emergencies, please call 911.
Please stay safe & stay warm!

Phase and Vaccine Plan Updates

Read more

Public Notice – Blackfeet Nation Moves to COVID-19 Phase 2

Read more

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE 1/5/2021

Following the CDC ACIP interim recommendation for groups to be vaccinated in Phase 1b, Blackfeet Community Hospital will offer the COVID-19 vaccine to persons age 75 years and older. Please watch for future vaccine phase updates.

Vaccination will take place at Blackfeet Community Hospital on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, from 8:00AM-4:30PM.

You will be contacted by Blackfeet Community Hospital with your appointment time and place. If you have not been contacted, please call 338-6305 or 338-6304.

Please enter at the South/Administration doors. Stop at the screening table. You will then be escorted to the clinic. Please wear a mask at all times.

Call the South Clinic at 338-6305 or the COVID line at 338-6304 if you have any questions.

Allocations of COVID-19 vaccine are made weekly to the Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS). As vaccines are received, IHS is distributing and administering vaccine consistent with guidance provided by the CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices:

  • Phase 1a: health care personnel and long term care facility residents
  • Phase 1b: persons 75 years and older and frontline essential workers (first responders, teachers, food and agriculture, manufacturing, correction workers, U.S. Postal Service, public transit, and grocery store workers)
  • Phase 1c: people aged 65 to 74 years old and people 16 to 64 years old who have high-risk medical conditions, and other essential workers
  • Phase 2: all other persons aged ≥16 years not already recommended for vaccination in Phases 1a, 1b, or 1c
It will take time to deliver and administer the vaccine. Until then, we must continue to diligently prevent the spread of COVID-19 by consistently practicing the 3 Ws: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, Wash your hands.

Ordinance 121 and Stay at Home Orders Extended

The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, on December 29, 2020, by resolution, has extended Tribal Ordinance 121 until September 30, 2021. The Blackfeet Incident Command has extended the Stay At Home Order until January 14, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

 

EXPLAINING THE EXTENSION:

  • There seems to be confusion on the extension of Tribal Ordinance 121. This extension is to allow the Incident Command Team to continue, as well as other items under the CARES Act. Also, it requires face masks, social distancing, and other CDC regulations.
  • The Stay At Home Order is a phased plan that allows for the reservation to open up gradually as cases continue to decline or remain closed as they increase. This is decided on in 2 week increments by the Incident Command.
  • The reservation businesses are governed under a Tribal Business Order which is changed on an as needed basis.
  • The closure to the east side of Glacier National Park is a separate issue that will be worked on by the Tribe and Glacier Park in the near future. No plans for a 2021 closure have been decided on.
  • With the vaccine now available, the Tribe will continue to revisit the ordinance and resolution based on the safety of the residents of the Blackfeet Reservation. Dates are only used as a planning mechanism and may be changed as needed.

Remember, we are still in a world wide pandemic and we need to continue to work together to be safe.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

  • Following the CDC ACIP interim recommendation for groups to be vaccinated, Blackfeet Community Hospital will offer the COVID-19 vaccine to those persons 75 years and older (phase 1b).
  • Vaccination will take place at Blackfeet Community Hospital on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, from 8:00AM-4:30PM.
  • You will be contacted by Blackfeet Community Hospital with your appointment time and place.
  • Please enter at the South/Administration doors. Stop at the screening table. You will then be escorted to the clinic. Please wear a mask at all times.
  • Call the South Clinic at 338-6305 if you have any questions.