FCC Applications

On November 2, 2021, The Blackfeet Tribe, applicant for a new noncommercial educational FM station on 89.7 MHz at Browning, Montana, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new construction permit.  Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/nceDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917c557bd8017c5bfed1ef0e12&id=25076f917c557bd8017c5bfed1ef0e12&goBack=N

On November 2, 2021, The Blackfeet Tribe, applicant for a new noncommercial educational FM station on 88.1 MHz at St. Mary, Montana, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new construction permit.  Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/nceDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917c557bd8017c623b5443152d&id=25076f917c557bd8017c623b5443152d&goBack=N

On November 2, 2021, The Blackfeet Tribe, applicant for a new noncommercial educational FM station on 90.7 MHz at East Glacier Park Village, Montana, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new construction permit.  Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/nceDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917c557bd8017c624c1c9c1556&id=25076f917c557bd8017c624c1c9c1556&goBack=N

On November 2, 2021, The Blackfeet Tribe, applicant for a new noncommercial educational FM station on 90.3 MHz at Heart Butte, Montana, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new construction permit.  Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/nceDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917c557bd8017c6259e98f15e3&id=25076f917c557bd8017c6259e98f15e3&goBack=N

Official Arrangements for Chief Earl Old Person

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 2:00pm – Chief Earl Old Person will be arriving home to the Blackfeet Nation. He will be brought to the Blackfeet Tribal Conference Room Chambers where a walk through viewing will take place.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 4:00pm – Chief Earl Old Person will be escorted to the Browning High School Gymnasium where he will lay in state until Friday.

Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 7:00pm – Special Church Service

Friday, October 22, 2021 at 11:00am – Funeral Service

We will update as more information becomes available.

Longtime Chief & Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribe passes away at 92

PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER 13, 2021

Longtime Chief & Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribe passes away at 92

Browning, MT – Earl Old Person, the longest serving elected tribal official in the U.S., passed away today at Blackfeet Community Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

Earl was elected to the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council in 1952 and served for over 60 years while serving as Chairman for over 50 years.  During this time, Earl met many dignitaries including every U.S. President since Dwight Eisenhower, the British Royal Family, the Shah of Iran, and other world leaders.

In 1978, the family of the late Jim White Calf, bestowed the hereditary chieftainship, to Earl.

Earl was an orator and leader for the Blackfeet People, the Blackfoot Confederacy, and Indian People across the United States and Canada.

“The Blackfeet People have suffered a huge loss today with the passing of Chief Old Person.  A chapter in our history has come to a close.  The Blackfeet Tribe offers prayers and support to the family of Earl at this time.”

Services are pending.

###

Contact:  
James McNeely
Public Information Officer
Blackfeet Tribe
(406) 338-3515
jmcneely@blackfeetnation.com

Latest CDC Guidelines for Quarantine and Isolation

Here are the latest CDC guidelines for Quarantine and Isolation.

You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus.

You isolate when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.

For Unvaccinated People:

  • Quarantine:  
    • Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
  • What To Do:
    • Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
    • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
    • If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
  • After Quarantine: 
    • Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.
    • If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.
  • You may be able to shorten your quarantine.
    • Your local public health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantine should last, based on local conditions and needs. Follow the recommendations of your local public health department if you need to quarantine. 
    • Options they will consider include stopping quarantine
      • After day 10 without testing
      • After day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)

Fully Vaccinated people: 

  • Recommendations for Isolation, Quarantine and Testing
    • The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings. Guidance for residents and staff of healthcare settings can be found in the Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination.
  • Fully vaccinated people with COVID-19 symptoms
    • Although the risk that fully vaccinated people could become infected with COVID-19 is low, any fully vaccinated person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, and tested for SARS-CoV-2 if indicated. The symptomatic fully vaccinated person should inform their healthcare provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation to care.
  • Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
    • Fully vaccinated people who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result. They should be isolated if they test positive. Fully vaccinated people who live in a household with someone who is immunosuppressed, at increased risk of severe disease, or unvaccinated (including children <12 years of age) could also consider masking at home for 14 days following a known exposure or until they receive a negative test result. Most fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine or be restricted from work following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, if they follow the testing and masking recommendation above.
    • Fully vaccinated people should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure.
  • Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-19-like symptoms and no known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
    • It is recommended that fully vaccinated people with no COVID-19-like symptoms and no known exposure should be exempted from routine screening testing programs, if feasible.

Blackfeet reissues COVID-19 mandates as cases rise on Reservation

UPDATED EMERGENCY PUBLIC NOTICE – MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021 – 3:15 P.M.

The Blackfeet Reservation is currently experiencing an increased number of COVID-19 cases at this time.

The following orders are issued by the Blackfeet Incident Command Team:

1. A mandatory mask mandate for the Blackfeet Reservation effective immediately. All businesses and individuals shall be notified.

2. All Blackfeet Tribal Offices shall be closed to the public until further notice. Tribal Employees will report to work on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Business may be handled via phone, email, fax, or appointment.

The Blackfeet Reservation is not on lockdown.

Anyone traveling out of town is encouraged to wear a mask and follow CDC recommendations.

These orders are effective immediately and shall remain in effect until further notice and are put in place in the best interest of the Blackfeet Reservation.

Search for Leo Wagner will be scaled back, Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife will continue search

PRESS RELEASE – SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 – 1:30 P.M.

Browning, MT – The search & recovery efforts for 26 year old Leo Wagner will begin to be scaled back on Monday, May 10, 2021, according to Incident Commander KWebb Galbreath.

Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife will continue to search the area.

Leo has been missing since April 27, 2021 and had been last seen near the St. Mary/Babb area on the Blackfeet Reservation.

Search & Rescue teams along with law enforcement agencies have been assisting with the recovery.

FOR THE MEDIA CONTACT:
James McNeely, Public Information Officer
(406) 338-3513
jmcneely@blackfeetnation.com

Blackfeet Clean-Up Week – May 10-17

PUBLIC NOTICE – MAY 6, 2021

BLACKFEET RESERVATION CLEAN-UP WEEK 2021 – MAY 10-17, 2021

Blackfeet Solid Waste Free Dumping Hours

  • Monday to Friday – 8:30 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday – 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Outlying Communities

  • Monday: Babb 2 Cans
  • Tuesday: Seville 2 Cans
  • Wednesday: HB 2 Cans
  • Thursday: East Glacier & Blackfoot 2 Cans
  • Friday: Starr School 2 Cans

For questions call (406) 338-5702

PRESS RELEASE – SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021 – 3:45 P.M.

Browning, MT – The search & rescue for 3 year old Arden Pepion has now become a search & recovery, according to the Blackfeet Joint Incident Command.

Based on the elements and duration of time that has passed since she was last seen we have come to realize that it now a recovery.

Search & Rescue teams along with law enforcement agencies from across the state are continuing to assist in this recovery effort.

FOR THE MEDIA CONTACT:
James McNeely, Public Information Officer
(406) 338-3513
jmcneely@blackfeetnation.com

NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON BLACKFEET WATER CODE BY APRIL 10, 2021

The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council has taken action to amend the Blackfeet Water Code (Resolution 211-2021) as a part of the Tribe’s obligation to implement the provisions of the Blackfeet Water Rights Compact and Settlement Act. The amendment repeals and replaces Ordinance 62 adopted on May 15, 1980 and re-adopted on July 12, 1988.

The public has 30 days starting March 11, 2021 to provide comments to the Blackfeet Water Code.  All comments must be received by the Blackfeet Legal Department on or before April 10, 2021.

View or download the Blackfeet Water Code and authorizing Tribal Resolution No. 211-2021. A hard copy of the Blackfeet Water Code is available at the Blackfeet Tribal Offices (front reception desk).

Please submit all comments by April 10, 2021 (30 days from March 11, 2021) to:

  • Blackfeet Legal Department
    P.O. Box 849
    Browning, MT 59417

Comments also may be submitted by email on or before April 10, 2021 to blackfeetwatercode@gmail.com.

The amended Blackfeet Water Code is summarized below:

The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council adopted the Water Code under the authority of the Blackfeet Constitution and By-Laws and its sovereign authority, which is to control, manage and protect the waters of the Blackfeet Reservation in perpetuity for the permanent Blackfeet homeland.

Pursuant to the Treaty of October 17, 1855, the Blackfeet Tribe reserved all waters of the Blackfeet Reservation necessary to provide a permanent homeland (Winters Doctrine right); and are essential to the existence of the Blackfeet Tribe culturally, historically and economically and to the continuing viability of the Blackfeet.

The purposes of this Water Code is to protect the health and welfare of Reservation residents, the political integrity of the Tribe, and the economic security of the Reservation through effective administration, regulation and management of the Reservation water resources in order to protect the quantity, quality and integrity of the water resource.

The Tribe possesses the sole jurisdiction and authority to administer Tribal waters on the Reservation for the benefit of the Tribe and its members and to authorize use of the Tribal Water Right by any person.

The administration, regulation and management of the waters of the Reservation through under this Water Code shall comply with due process requirements, all Tribal law, regulations and procedures and any applicable federal law. 

The protection and preservation of the Tribe’s water resources, and the economic stability and well-being of the Blackfeet Tribe now and for generations to come, are dependent on the efficient and effective management, control and development of the Tribe’s water resources which this Water Code is intended to provide.

The Water Code applies to every person who seeks to use or is using Blackfeet Tribal Water.  This includes Tribal members, allottees and non-members. No person shall use Tribal Water without a permit issued pursuant to this Water Code.  The Water Code sets out the process for obtaining a Tribal water permit and also addresses the circumstances in which a permit may be transferred to another tribal member, a family member or to third parties.

The Water Code also provides for the establishment of the Blackfeet Water Department and the structure and authority of the Department.

On and after April 15, 2009 (the date of State ratification of the Blackfeet Compact), all basins on the Blackfeet Reservation are closed to issuance of State of Montana certificates of water rights and water permits and the Blackfeet Tribe shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction to authorize use of water within the Blackfeet Reservation.

The Blackfeet Tribe entered into a Compact with the State of Montana and the United States quantifying the Winters Doctrine rights of the Tribe. (ratified by the State of Montana, MCA 85-20-1501, and by the United States in the Blackfeet Water Right Settlement Act, Public Law 114-322, 130 Stat. 1628, Title III, Subtitle G).  The Compact and Settlement Act were approved by the Blackfeet tribal membership in a referendum vote held on April 20, 2017 and certified by the Secretary of the Interior’s delegate on May 30, 2017.