Left to right; Northern Cheyenne Tribe President Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher, Senator John Walsh and Senator Jon Tester.
U.S. Senators make ‘listening tour’ of Northern Cheyenne Country
By Clara Caufield LAME DEER, Mont. — Montana Senators Jon Tester and John Walsh were on a state-wide “listening tour” meeting with each of the rribes, including Northern Cheyenne. “Come up with your vision and we’ll support you,” Tester urged. Tester, a good friend to the Montana Tribes and Native people reported that he is now the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, a key position for all Tribes. All legislation related to tribal and Native issues must first pass through this Committee. Tester is the first Montana Senator to chair this Committee since 1988 when former Senator John Melcher held this important post. The Senators and their staff members were welcomed in traditional Cheyenne fashion including a prayer by Otto Braided Hair, Sr. and two honor songs, one specifically for a Veteran, to recognize Senator Walsh, a military officer. President Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher and Vice-President Winfield Russell provided opening remarks. Fisher noted several key concerns: legislation needed by the Tribe to authorize an exchange of land and minerals between the Tribe and Great Northern Properties; the high crime rate and unsolved murders on the Reservation; highway safety on Highway 212; unemployment etc. “We need your help to succeed,” President Fisher reminded the Senators. Tester told the Council members in attendance (Small-Lafranier, Snow, Sioux, Robinson and Red Neck) and the small audience of community members that he will continue efforts to assist the Tribe. “We’ve got some opportunities. But it’s never been easy and it will not be easy.” He also encouraged tribal members to sign up for Obamacare which supports the I.H.S. and provides better health care. Walsh, newly appointed to fill the vacancy created with Senator Baucus became Ambassador to China, announced that he will sponsor the Tribe’s land and minerals exchange legislation as one of his first bills. “I will work very hard to get that passed,” he promised. The Senators and staff also toured the Lame Deer I.H.S. Clinic where they were briefed by I.H.S. Billings Area Director, Anna Whiting Sorrell, Salish Kootenai tribal member and Debbi Bends, Northern Cheyenne tribal members and Lame Deer Service Unit Director on a number of I.H.S. and health care issues. Sorrell spoke about the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital. “We need to improve the quality of care there,” she emphasized. “That is one of my main goals and we struggle in making the Northern Cheyenne welcome at Crow, but that facility was built for both Tribes.” Sorrell also noted that the Northern Cheyenne Tribe has contracted to deliver many of the tribal health services (ambulance, alcoholism, CHR’s, diabetes, meth and suicide prevention etc.). The Lame Deer Service Unit, she said provides direct care and purchased referred care (formerly known as Contract Health Care). The clinic, designated as an “isolated hardship area” often faces budget and staffing problems. The Clinic relies upon the Public Health Commission Corps to fill many of the professional positions such as the Director of Pharmacy and Director of Nursing. Both Senators were interested in how tribal members are participating in the Affordable Health Care Act. (Obamacare). “It’s a slow process,” Sorrell and Bends replied. “It will take time to educate people about the benefits. And we have to convince them to use the Clinic. I.H.S. will not survive if we don’t figure out to generate more revenue through 3rd party insurance collections.” Sorrell also spoke about the very high cost of reservation health care due to the tragedies faced every day—car accidents, trauma, suicides, obesity and diabetes. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)
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