The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana signed an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to receive disaster recovery funds.

The tribe will receive the money directly from FEMA, a first in Montana. Heavy storms and flooding caused more than $20 million in damage on the Rocky Boy's Reservation.

"It's a big move for tribal governments all across the country," Chairman Raymond Parker Jr. said at the signing ceremony, The Great Falls Tribune reported.

Typically, FEMA money goes to state governments, or FEMA only pays a portion of the recovery costs. In this case, the FEMA will pay for 100 percent.

"Sovereignty is a government-to-government relationship," Parker said, the Tribune reported. "This kind of goes a long way in proving that statement."

Get the Story:
Rocky Boy's, FEMA set aid in motion (The Great Falls Tribune 8/18)
FEMA and Chippewa Cree Sign Historic Agreement (KFBB-TV 8/17)

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Editorial: Chippewa Cree Tribe deserves funds for recovery effort (8/17)
FEMA opens office to support Chippewa Cree Tribe with recovery (7/21)
Obama signs a disaster declaration for Rocky Boy's Reservation (7/12)
Chippewa Cree Tribe frustrated by wait for disaster declaration (7/7)
Chippewa Cree Tribe waits on disaster declaration after floods (7/6)
FEMA finds at least $6M in damage on Rocky Boy's Reservation (6/29)
Chippewa Cree Tribe waits for FEMA flood damage assessment (6/25)
Chippewa Cree Tribe assesses damage after flooding disaster (6/24)
Chippewa Cree Tribe declares disaster due to major flooding (6/23)
Chippewa Cree Tribe evacuates homes over flood emergency (6/21)