Both the Chippewa Cree Tribe in northern Montana and Sioux on the Yankton Reservation in South Dakota were hit hard by floods late last month. Apparently the state of Montana won’t be able to provide help to the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, so now they’re hoping for a federal disaster declaration. Here are stories from the Associated Press on the situation at both reservations, as well as word of help to Rocky Boy’s from the from the Indian Health Service:

HELENA (AP) – Chippewa Cree tribal leaders were awaiting word on whether last month’s flooding on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation would be declared a disaster by President Barack Obama.

A disaster declaration would give the tribe access to millions of dollars in federal assistance to repair damage to roads, public buildings and other infrastructure.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer asked Obama for the declaration earlier this week.

On Friday, state emergency officials said there wasn’t enough home damage to qualify for federal individual assistance.

A damage assessment concluded that out of the 94 privately owned homes in the area, two received major damage and nine had minor damage.

The flooding forced the evacuation of dozens of homes and left others without drinking water

Meanwhile, the Indian Health Service announced today that it’s providing more than $1 million in help to the Chippewa Cree Tribe. The IHS news release follows:

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Tags: Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, buffalo post, Chippewa Cree Tribe, disaster declaration, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Gwen Florio, Indian Health Service, Native American news, President Barack Obama, Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera, Yankton Sioux Reservation

Floodwaters are slowly going down on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation in northern Montana, and Tribal Chairman Jake Parker says the Chippewa Cree Tribe is now “out of crisis mode.”

Still, many families were evacuated and hundreds were left without drinking water after water mains burst. However, a dam that was beginning to overflow is being drained, reports Matt Volz of the Associated Press, here:

Parker led Gov. Brian Schweitzer on a tour of the damage on Wednesday morning. Parker says he is counting on Schweitzer to sign a disaster declaration that will allow them to receive federal assistance.

A team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was expected to arrive on Wednesday to conduct an assessment.

Keep watching here for updates.

Gwen Florio

Tags: buffalo post, Chippewa Cree, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Gwen Florio, Jake Parker, Native American news, Rocky Boy's Reservation

The state of Montana is putting Blackfeet singer-songwriter Jack Gladstone’s musical career on hold.

No, really.

Hundreds of times a day, when someone calls the state and gets put on hold – and, friends, you often get put on hold – the music people hear is the Montana singer-songwriter’s, writes Jennifer McKee, here in today’s Missoulian.

She reports that when Gov. Schweitzer took office in 2005, he hated the elevator-style music on the state “hold” system, so requested a change to Montana musicians. And Gladstone, a Blackfeet tribal member who’s gained fame as a balladeer, storyteller and guitar-picker, is a personal favorite of the governor’s.

Now he’s among five musicians in the hold rotation, although his music comes up most often. Gladstone tells McKee he’s proud his music offers a bit of Montana to the hundreds of people who wait on state phone lines each day.

“It’s a pleasant alternative,” he says. “I admire a lot of the things the governor has done and he admires my music.”

Gwen Florio

Tags: Blackfeet, buffalo post, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Jack Gladstone, Native American news, Wolf Trap

Joe Medicine Crow – teacher, historian and a veteran who wore war paint into battle during World War II – today received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Here’s the White House statement: “As a warrior and living legend, history flows through Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow High Bird. Born on a reservation and raised by traditional grandparents, he became the first member of his tribe to earn a master’s degree. For his valiant service in World War II, he was awarded the status of Crow War Chief, and his renowned studies of the First Americans and contributions to cultural and historical preservation have been critical to our understanding of America’s history. Joe Medicine Crow is a symbol of strength and survival, and the United States honors him for his dedication to this country and to all Native Americans.”

Montana Sen. Jon Tester, who joined Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson in nominating Medicine Crow for the honor, is among the many offering congratulations.

“Joe’s incredible life is chock-full of historic occasions. Today is no different,” Tester says. “Montanans will be talking about Joe and the stories of his heroism for generations. He earned the Medal of Freedom a long time ago as an American warrior, as a teacher, as a lifelong student of history and culture, and as a role model for his tribe.Today Joe is honored as a role model for all of America.”

From Gov. Brian Scwheitzer: “Joe is an inspiration and deserving of this prestigious honor for he is an example of a hero, scholar, historian and mentor for the Crow people, all Montanans and all Americans.”

Medicine Crow, 95, became a Crow war chief, the only one remaining, after performing four “war deeds” fighting Nazis in World War II. He earned a Bronze Star and the prestigious French Legion of Honor.

We’ll post updates about the ceremony itself as soon as that information becomes available.

Gwen Florio

Tags: buffalo post, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Joe Medicine Crow, Native American news, Native veterans, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Sen. Jon Tester