In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Blackfeet Nation of Montana created its own Homeland Security department. Six years later, the department has just two employees. Robert DesRosier and another tribal member are solely responsible for protecting the reservation's border with Canada. DesRosier gets some help here and there from local and federal authorities. But for the most part, he's on his own when it comes to stopping drug traffickers and smugglers. One reason is the lack of federal support. When Congress created the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it did not recognize tribes as separate governments eligible for direct funds. "We've always maintained that we need to have a funding path in place directly to the federal government," DesRosier told The Helena Independent Record. "Not to say that we're going to be competing with the states. But the federal government must recognize Indian Country’s needs when it comes to Homeland Security. We don’t think they adequately address that now." With adequate funding, DesRosier said the tribe could hire 10 to 12 people to patrol the reservation full-time. Get the Story:
Security on the Blackfeet Reservation goes largely unsupported by federal government (The Helena Independent Record 9/25) $rl Blackfeet Nation - http://www.blackfeetnation.com
