kAm$@ H96? 2 C64CF:E6C 7C@> E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 }@CE9 s2<@E2βD x?5:2?D :?E@ |65:4:?6 AC@8C2> 42>6 E@ E@H?[ s6D#@D:6C 8@E :?G@=G65] uC@> E96C6 D96 H6?E E@ w2CG2C5 &?:G6CD:EJ[ E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 (2D9:?8E@? 2?5 >65:42= D49@@= π vC2?5 u@C
kAm(9:=6 96C DA64:2=EJ H2D 72>:=J >65:4:?6[ E96 D9@CE DE277:?8 2?5 E:89E 3F586E 4@?DEC2:?ED E92E A6CG256 E96 xw$ DJDE6> >62?E E92E s6D#@D:6C 5:5 6G6CJE9:?8 7C@> 56=:G6C:?8 323:6D E@ H@C<:?8 π E96 6>6C86?4J C@@> E@ D66:?8 A2E:6?ED 7@C >:?@C :==?6DD6D β @7E6? 2== 2E E96 D2>6 E:>6]k^Am
kAmβ(6 H@F=5 36 @? 42== 7@C ac 9@FCD[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] β$@ H6 H@F=5 5@ 2 `a\9@FC D9:7E π E96 t#[ 3FE 2E E96 D2>6 E:>6[ H6 H@F=5 36 @? 42== 7@C 2?JE9:?8 E92E H2D 92AA6?:?8 @? E96 H2C5 @C 2?J ~q E92E 42>6 :?] p?5 D@ E96C6 H@F=5 36 E:>6D H96C6 J@F 92G6 D@>63@5J π E96 t# E92EVD 92G:?8 2 962CE 2EE24< 2?5 J@FVC6 CF??:?8 324< 2?5 7@CE9 E@ 56=:G6C 2 323J @C E2<6 42C6 @7 D@>63@5J @? E96 H2C5 E92E >:89E ?665 2 EC2?D76C E@ vC62E u2==D] $@ E9@D6 52JD H6C6 23D@=FE6=J 4C2KJ 2?5 :?D2?6]βk^Am
kAmpD s6D#@D:6C 2=D@ C2:D65 ?:?6 49:=5C6?[ 96C 9@>6 =:76 H2D 23@FE 2D 7F== 2D 96C AC@76DD:@?2= =:76]k^Am
kAmu@C 564256D[ D96 ;F88=65 H@C< 2?5 72>:=J =:76[ H9:=6 36:?8 4@?E:?F2==J E9CFDE :?E@ E96 >:55=6 @7 E96 >@DE 5:77:4F=E >@>6?ED @7 E96 =:G6D @7 96C 7C:6?5D[ 72>:=J 2?5 4@>>F?:EJ[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5] $96 H@F=5 D66[ 7@C 6I2>A=6[ 2 72>:=J 7C:6?5 π E96 t# 2?5 β?@E 92G6 9:> DFCG:G6β @C 92G6 βE@ E6== >J 4=2DD>2E6 E92E 96C D@? 5:5?VE DFCG:G6 E96 42C 4C2D9]βk^Am
kAmβ%9@D6 D@CED @7 E9:?8D H6C6 C62==J[ C62==J 5:77:4F=E[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] βqFE 36:?8 23=6 E@ 56=:G6C 2 >@>VD 323J H96? E96C6 H2D 2 3:8 4CF?49 2?5 H6 =@DE E96 323JVD 962CE C2E6[ 2?5 E96 323J 42>6 @FE[ 2?5 H6 H6C6 23=6 E@ C6DFD4:E2E6 E96 323J[ 2?5 2==βD H6== E92E 6?5D H6== β¦ p?5 E96C6 H6C6 2 =@E @7 E:>6D E92E H6 5:5 96=A A6@A=6] ~? 2 52:=J 32D:D[ H6 492?865 A6@A=6VD =:G6D 7@C E96 A@D:E:G6[ ?@E @?=J π t# 3FE 2=D@ π 4=:?:4] x ;FDE =@G6 E9:D A2E:6?E :?E6C24E:@?] x ;FDE =:G65 7@C :E[ ;FDE E@ E2=< E@ 2?@E96C 9F>2? 36:?8 23@FE H92EVD 8@:?8 @? π E96:C =:76[ A9JD:42==J[ 6>@E:@?2==J[ >6?E2==J] x ;FDE =@G6 >65:4:?6]βk^Am
k9amβ|65:42= @G6CD:89Eβk^9am
kAms6D#@D:6CβD =@G6 7@C 96C ;@3 3682? E@ 7256 7C@> E96 AC6DDFC6D 2?5 6I92FDE:@? @7 E96 r@G:5 A2?56>:4] $@ H96? D96 EFC?65 ed[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5[ βx ;FDE 76=E =:<6 x H2D C625J E@ 8@]βk^Am
kAm$96 C6E:C65 7C@> xw$ @? }@G] `g[ a_aa] qFE H:E9:? 2 76H 52JD[ s6D#@D:6C H2D AF==65 324< :?E@ AC24E:4:?8 >65:4:?6 7@C 96C EC:36]k^Am
kAm%96 AF== 42>6 7C@> v2C=2?5 $E:772C>[ 2 =@?8E:>6 25>:?:DEC2E@C 7@C xw$ H9@ s6D#@D:6C 4C65:ED H:E9 5C2>2E:42==J :>AC@G:?8 E96 7:?2?46D 2?5 @A6C2E:@?D @7 E96 qC@H?:?8 9@DA:E2=] pC@F?5 E96 E:>6 s6D#@D:6C H2D ECJ:?8 E@ C6E:C6[ $E:772C> 925 E2<6? 2 A@D:E:@? 2D 49:67 6I64FE:G6 @77:46C @7 E96 q=24<766E %C:32= w62=E9 $JDE6>] w6 H2?E65 s6D#@D:6C E@ ;@:? 9:>[ D96 D2:5]k^Am
kAm$E:772C> 5:5 ?@E C6DA@?5 E@ C6BF6DED 7@C 4@>>6?E D6?E 3J 6>2:= 2?5 E9C@F89 9:D 7@C>6C 4@==628F6D]k^Am
kAmx? a_aa[ $E:772C> C64CF:E65 96C E@ C6EFC? 2D >65:42= 5:C64E@C @7 E96 q=24<766E r2C6 r6?E6C[ 2 D<:==65 ?FCD:?8 9@>6 H96C6 D96 925 =@?8 6?;@J65 2EE6?5:?8 uC:52J |2DD 2?5 AC@G:5:?8 42C6 E@ E96 EC:32= 6=56CD H9@ C6D:565 E96C6]k^Am
kAmqFE 3J pAC:= a_ac[ $E:772C> H2D 324< H:E9 2 ?6H C6BF6DEi w6 H2?E65 s6D#@D:6C E@ E2<6 @G6C 2D >65:42= 5:C64E@C @7 E96 6?E:C6[ DAC2H=:?8 EC:32= 962=E9 DJDE6>[ H9:49 :?4=F565 2? :?A2E:6?E EC62E>6?E 46?E6C[ 2? @FEA2E:6?E EC62E>6?E AC@8C2>[ 2 3692G:@C2= 962=E9 4=:?:4[ 2 AF3=:4 962=E9 56A2CE>6?E[ 2?5 @E96C AC@8C2>D 2?5 4=:?:4D[ :?4=F5:?8 E96 $@FE96C? !:682? w62=E9 r6?E6C]k^Am
kAmβ%96J 2== 562= H:E9 A2E:6?ED[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] β|@DE @7 E96> 2C6 CF? 3J ?FCD6D] qFE v2C=2?5 H2?E65 D@>6 >65:42= @G6CD:89E 7@C E96 >65:42= AC@G:56CD E92E H@C<65 7@C EC:32= 962=E9]βk^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C C6=F4E2?E=J 28C665] qFE 367@C6 D96β5 6G6? 4@>A=6E65 96C @C:6?E2E:@? 7@C 96C ?6H A@D:E:@? π pAC:= a_ac[ s6D#@D:6C 3682? E@ DFDA64E D@>6E9:?8 H2D G6CJ HC@?8 H:E9 9@H $@FE96C? !:682? w62=E9 r6?E6C H2D EC62E:?8 A2E:6?ED 2E :ED 4=:?:4D π qC@H?:?8 2?5 π E96 D>2== E@H? @7 $6G:==6]k^Am
Dr. Mary DesRosier, a longtime Blackfeet physician, said she reported her concerns about Southern Piegan Health Center’s practices to federal and tribal officials.Β
TED McDERMOTT,
k9amβu6== @77 >J 492:Cβk^9am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5 96C @C:6?E2E:@? 2E $!wr[ H9:49 @776CD 2 EC:32==J 4@?EC@==65 >:I @7 AC:>2CJ 42C6[ D49@@=\32D65 42C6 2?5 @E96C 962=E9 42C6 D6CG:46D @? E96 q=24<766E C6D6CG2E:@?[ 3682? H:E9 !2EC:4:2 p=56CD@?[ 2 ?FCD6 AC24E:E:@?6C[ D9@H:?8 96C 9@H E@ ?2G:82E6 E96 962=E9 46?E6CβD 6=64EC@?:4 962=E9 C64@C5D DJDE6>]k^Am
kAmβp?5 x ;FDE ?@E:465 E92E E96C6 H2D 2 =@E @7 @A:2E6D[β s6D#@D:6C C642==65] βp?5 x D2:5[ βw@H >2?J @7 J@FC A2E:6?ED 2C6 @? E96D6nβ p?5 x EFC?65 :E E@ @A:2E6 WAC6D4C:AE:@?DX[ 2?5 D96 D2:5[ Vp== @7 E96>[V 2?5 x ;FDE 23@FE 76== @77 >J 492:C]βk^Am
kAmt77@CED E@ C6249 p=56CD@? 3J 6>2:=[ A9@?6 2?5 E9C@F89 2 =2HJ6C H9@ C6AC6D6?E65 96C π 2? F?C6=2E65 42D6 H6C6 F?DF446DD7F=]k^Am
kAmqFE s6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 H2?E65 E@ D66 7@C 96CD6=7 H9J ?62C=J 2== @7 $!wrβD A2E:6?ED H6C6 AC6D4C:365 @A:@:5D[ D@ D96 28C665 E@ 7:== π 2E $!wrβD D2E6==:E6 4=:?:4 π $6G:==6 7@C 2 4@FA=6 @7 52JD] s6D#@D:6C D2H 96C 7:CDE 7@FC A2E:6?ED @? pAC:= “[ a_ac[ D96 D2:5[ 2?5 C6>2:?65 β23D@=FE6=J D9@4<65β 3J H92E D96 5:D4@G6C65]k^Am
kAmβ%96J H6C6 2== 49C@?:4 A2:? A2E:6?ED[ 2?5 E96J H6C6 2== 86EE:?8 `a_ @7 @IJ4@5@?6 @C 9J5C@4@5@?6 2?5 `a_ @7 8232A6?E:?[β D96 D2:5[ C676CC:?8 E@ 2 4=2DD @7 D6:KFC6 2?5 ?6CG6\A2:? >65:42E:@? E92E H2D 566>65 2 4@?EC@==65 DF3DE2?46 π |@?E2?2 π ~4E@36C a_ad] βp?5 D@>6 @7 E96> H6C6 86EE:?8 G2=:F> 2?5 pE2G:? 2?5 E9:?8D =:<6 E92E]βk^Am
kAmxE H2D?βE ;FDE E96 2>@F?E[ E96 4@>3:?2E:@? 2?5 E96 7C6BF6?4J H:E9 H9:49 E96 4=:?:4βD AC@G:56CD 925 366? AC6D4C:3:?8 E96D6 5CF8D E92E 2=2C>65 s6D#@D:6C[ D96 D2:5] xE H2D 2=D@ H92E AC@G:56CD 925?βE 5@?6]k^Am
kAm$E] v@552C5 24@H=65865 E92E $!wr DECF88=65 2E E:>6D E@ AC@G:56 E96 36DE A@DD:3=6 A2:?\>2?286>6?E AC@8C2>[ 3FE D96 5676?565 E96 42C6 E96 $@FE96C? !:682? 6>A=@J66D @776C65]k^Am
kAmβx 766= =:<6 2D 2 E62>[ H6VG6 5@?6 2?5 366? 23=6 E@ β π E96 >:5DE @7 2== @7 E9:D 492@D 2?5 DEF77 E92EVD 8@:?8 @? β H6VG6 5@?6 2 C62==J 8@@5 ;@3 2E DE:== AFD9:?8 7@CH2C5 @FC 962=E9 46?E6C[β $E] v@552C5 D2:5]k^Am
k9amβw:89 5@D6D @7 @A:2E6 ?2C4@E:4Dβk^9am
kAmpD D96 E2=<65 E@ A2E:6?ED 2?5 C6G:6H65 E96:C 492CED[ s6D#@D:6C D2H E92E 2=>@DE ?@?6 @7 E96> 925 C646:G65 E96 DE2?52C5 @7 42C6 7@C 49C@?:4\A2:? A2E:6?ED]k^Am
kAmβ*@F 92G6 E@ 2DD6DD H92E E96:C A2:? :D[ H96? :E DE2CE65[ 9@H :E DE2CE65[ H92E EC62E>6?ED 92G6 366? EC:65 2?5 ?@E 2?5 72:=65[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] β(92E DA64:2=:DED 92G6 E96J D66?n xEVD 2== A2CE @7 E92E] p?5 2=>@DE 2== @7 E96> 92G6 ?6G6C 366? C676CC65 E@ A9JD:42= E96C2AJ] p?5 A9JD:42= E96C2AJ π 23D@=FE6=J 2? 2>2K:?8 EC62E>6?E 7@C =@ED @7 49C@?:4 A2:?] xE H@CA=6E6=J C64@G6C 7C@> 2== D@CED @7 E9:?8D H:E9 A9JD:42= E96C2AJ]βk^Am
kAm’6CJ 76H[ D96 D2:5[ 925 D66? @CE9@A65:4 DFC86@?D[ 925 |#xD @C C646:G65 @E96C <:?5D @7 42C6]k^Am
kAmβ%96J 925?VE 925 AC@A6C 4@?DF=E2E:@?D[β D96 D2:5] β%96J H6C6 ;FDE >@?E9 27E6C >@?E9 27E6C >@?E9 27E6C >@?E9 β H96? J@F =@@< 324< β 86EE:?8 E96D6 9:89 5@D6D @7 @A:2E6 ?2C4@E:4D]βk^Am
kAmp7E6C 5@:?8 2 βH9@=6 H@C[ β%96D6 >65:4:?6D E92E J@FVG6 366? E2<:?8 7@C J@FC 49C@?:4 A2:? 2C6 ?@E 5@:?8 2?JE9:?8 7@C J@FC A2:?] %96JVC6 ;FDE =:<6 2 32?5\2:5 7@C 2 A6CD@? E92EVD 96>@CC928:?8[ 2?5 E92E :D?VE 8@:?8 E@ 96=A J@FC D:EF2E:@?]βk^Am
kAm$@ D96 H@F=5 8:G6 E96> C676CC2=D E@ A9JD:42= E96C2A:DED[ ?6FC@DFC86@?D[ ?6FC@=@8:DED 2?5 @E96C DA64:2=:DED H9@ 4@F=5 EC62E E96:C DJ>AE@>D] (9:=6 2 92?57F= H6C6 @A6? E@ 2 492?86 @7 42C6[ >@DE H6C6 ?@E[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5]k^Am
kAmβ%96J ;FDE H2?E65 E@ 4@>6 π 2?5 86E E96:C A2:? >65:4:?6 2?5 8@ @FE E96 5@@C[β D96 D2:5] βp?5 E92EVD <:?5 @7 H92E E96J H6C6 FD65 E@]βk^Am
kAmp7E6C D96 H@F=5 E6== A2E:6?ED 96C A=2?D 7@C >@G:?8 E96> @77 @A:2E6 ?2C4@E:4D 2?5 :?E@ @E96C 7@C>D @7 EC62E>6?E[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 H@F=5 @7E6? β86E 2 ?@E6 ?@E:7:42E:@? @? E96 492CE E96 ?6IE 52J E92E E9:D A2E:6?E ?@ =@?86C H2?E65 E@ D66 >6[ E92E E96J H6C6 DH:E49:?8 AC@G:56CD E@ p=56CD@?]βk^Am
Concerns about the prescribing practices at the Southern Piegan Health Center, a tribally operated clinic, have roiledΒ the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwest Montana.
TED McDERMOTT,
k9amβp 3:8[ 3:8 AC@3=6>βk^9am
kAms6D#@D:6C C6A@CE65 96C 4@?46C?D E@ $E:772C> 2?5 @E96CD π E96 EC:32= 962=E9 DJDE6> =2E6C π pAC:= a_ac[ D96 D2:5[ 2?5 E96J H6C6 DFAA@CE:G6 @7 96C 9@A6 E@ 86E 2 92?5=6 @? E96 D42=6 @7 E96 AC@3=6> D96 H2D 724:?8]k^Am
kAm$@ E96 =@?8E:>6 A9JD:4:2? 3682? 2 DE2?52C5 AC24E:46i C6G:6H:?8 A2E:6?E 492CED E@ D66 9@H E96J 925 366? EC62E65 2?5 H92E E96J 925 366? AC6D4C:365]k^Am
kAmβx A:4<65 @?6 52J[ 2?5 ;FDE =@@<65 2E 2== E96 A2E:6?ED E92E 92AA6?65 E@ 36 D4965F=65 E92E 52J[β s6D#@D:6C] βp?5 x H2D D9@4<65 3J 9@H >2?J A:==D Wp=56CD@?X AC6D4C:365 E92E 52J]βk^Am
kAm$96 H2D D9@4<65 3642FD6[ 7@C E96 `d E@ a_ A2E:6?ED p=56CD@? 925 D66? E92E 52J[ s6D#@D:6C 4@F?E65 a[___ AC6D4C:365 A:==D[ 2== @7 E96> @A:2E6D 2?5 @E96C 4@?EC@==65 DF3DE2?46D]k^Am
kAmx? D@>6 42D6D[ D96 D2:5[ E96 ?@E6D :?5:42E65 E92E A2E:6?ED 925 D4@C65 βD:8?:7:42?E=J[ 6IEC6>6=J 9:89β @? 56AC6DD:@? 2?5 2?I:6EJ D4C66?:?8D 3FE H@F=5 ?@E C646:G6 AC@A6C 2DD6DD>6?E @C C676CC2= E@ 2 3692G:@C2= 962=E9 AC@G:56C]k^Am
kAmx?DE625[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5[ βE96J H@F=5 ;FDE 86E E96:C FDF2= D4C:AE 7@C H92E6G6C E96J H6C6 @? 2?5 ?@ C676CC2=[ ?@ DF3D6BF6?E 7@==@H FA 7@C E92E A2CE:4F=2C :DDF6] p?5 E92E H2D 2 3:8[ 3:8 AC@3=6>]βk^Am
kAmqFE s6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 2=D@ ?@E:465 D@>6E9:?8 6=D6 2D D96 H6?E E9C@F89 E96 492CEDi p=56CD@?βD ?@E6D D@F?565 2 =@E =:<6 ?@E6D D96 925 HC:EE6?] p?5 :E EFC?65 @FE E96J H6C6 2?5 925 366? β4@AJ 2?5 A2DE65β C6A62E65=J[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5]k^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 5:D4@G6C65 E9:D 244:56?E2==J[ H9:=6 C6G:6H:?8 492CED 2?5 7:?5:?8 E92E A2E:6?EDβ 6I2> ?@E6D β925 E96 D2>6 AF?4EF2E:@? 6CC@CD 7C@> D:I >@?E9D[ 7:G6 >@?E9D[ 7@FC >@?E9D[ E9C66 >@?E9D[ EH@ >@?E9D 28@[ @?6 >@?E9[ =2DE >@?E9] $@ E96J H6C6?VE 492?8:?8 E96:C A9JD:42= 6I2> ?@E6D 6G6?] p?5 E96:C 2DD6DD>6?ED H6C6 2=H2JD E96 D2>6]βk^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5 E92E D96 7@F?5 E96 4@AJ:?8 2?5 A2DE:?8 @7 ?@E6D β56>62?:?8β E@ A2E:6?ED]k^Am
kAmβ%92E A2E:6?E π ?@E 2 9F>2? 36:?8 π 7C@?E @7 J@F[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] β%92E A2E:6?E π 2 5@==2C D:8?] v6E V6> :?] v6E E96> @FE] V{6EVD 8@ 86E @FC ?@E6 5@?6] {6EVD 86E 2== @FC xVD 5@EE65[ 2?5 %VD 4C@DD65[ 2?5 H6 8@E Sg__ π @FC A@4<6E]V p?5 E92E A2E:6?E[ E92E 9F>2? 36:?8 D:EE:?8 π 7C@?E @7 J@F[ 5@6D?VE C62==J >2EE6C]βk^Am
kAm$E] v@552C5[ 9@H6G6C[ D2:5 E92E 3@E9 EC:32= =2HJ6CD 2?5 2 E9:C5\A2CEJ C6G:6H @7 E96 AC@8C2> DFAA@CE65 E96 :562 E92E 4@AJ:?8 2?5 A2DE:?8 A2E:6?E ?@E6D π β2 4@>>@? AC24E:46 @7 >65:42= AC@G:56CD[β π D@>6 4:C4F>DE2?46D]k^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 2=D@ :56?E:7:65 :DDF6D H:E9 E96 5CF8 E6DE:?8 E92E π 4@>>@?=J 4@?D:56C65 36DE AC24E:46 H:E9 @A:@:5 A2E:6?ED]k^Am
kAmβ(6VG6 925 2 =@E @7 5CF8 D4C66?D H96C6 E96 5CF8 E92E E96J H6C6 WAC6D4C:365X H2D?VE π E96:C DJDE6>[ 3FE 5:776C6?E 5CF8D H6C6[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5]k^Am
kAmx? @E96C 42D6D[ D96 D2:5[ A6@A=6 925 E6DE65 A@D:E:G6 7@C E96:C AC6D4C:365 >65:42E:@? 3FE 2=D@ 7@C :==:4:E 5CF8D[ =:<6 β64DE2DJ[ |s|p[ J@F @H[ 76?E2?J=[ >6E9[ H92E6G6C[ 3FE E96J DE:== 8@E E96:C D4C:AE 6G6CJ >@?E9] xE H2D?VE 255C6DD65] %96C6 H2D ?@ ?@E6 7C@> E96 AC@G:56C E92E D2:5[ β(6==[ E9:D 4@?7:C>2E@CJ 5CF8 D4C66?D D9@H65 76?E2?J= 3FE H6VC6 DE:== 8@??2 8:G6 9:> 2 492?46]β %96C6 H2D ?@ ?@E6 E92E 5@4F>6?E65[ V~9[ 9:D FC:?6 5CF8 D4C66? H2D :?2AAC@AC:2E6]V yFDE 8:G6 9:> E96 >65D]βk^Am
kAm$E] v@552C5 24@H=65865 E96 4=:?:4 H2D 562=:?8 H:E9 2 =2AD6 π 5CF8\D4C66?:?8 C6DF=ED 36:?8 6?E6C65 :?E@ E96 4=:?:4βD 6=64EC@?:4\962=E9 C64@C5D DJDE6> 7@C 2 E:>6[ 3FE D2:5 $!wr 9:C65 2 A2:?\>2?286>6?E 42C6 >2?286C π }@G6>36C a_ac E@ 96=A H:E9 A:== 4@F?ED[ 5CF8 D4C66?:?8D 2?5 @E96C β2C62D E92E H6C6 92C5 7@C FD E@ 7@==@H FA @?]βk^Am
Dr. Mary DesRosier, a longtime Blackfeet physician, said she reported her concerns about Southern Piegan Health Center’s practices to federal and tribal officials.Β
TED McDERMOTT,
k9amr2==:?8 π E96 stpk^9am
kAmpD s6D#@D:6CβD 4@?46C?D 8C6H π =2E6 pAC:= a_ac[ $E:772C> @C82?:K65 2 >66E:?8 H:E9 $E] v@552C5[ E96 25>:?:DEC2E@C @7 $!wr[ 2?5 =2:5 @FE 2 A=2? E@ 6?5 52?86C@FD AC6D4C:3:?8 AC24E:46D[ s6D#@D:6C C642==65]k^Am
kAm%96 C624E:@? 7C@> $E] v@552C5[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5[ 5:5 ?@E 6I24E=J 6IAC6DD 2? @A6??6DD E@ 7665324< 2?5 :>AC@G6>6?E] #2E96C[ D96 D2:5[ :E H2D β=:89E?:?8 2?5 E9F?56C 2?5 4FDD H@C5D 2?5 A@F?5:?8 @? E96 E23=6β 2D $E] v@552C5 2==6865=J C6;64E65 E96 A=2? =2:5 @FE 7@C C67@C>]k^Am
kAm$E] v@552C5 2?5 @E96CD 2E $!wr 7=2E @FE βC67FD65 E@ C64@8?:K6 >6 2D E96 >65:42= 5:C64E@C[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] βp?5 E96J :?D:DE65 E92E E96:C >65:42= 5:C64E@C H2D E96 AC@G:56C[ !2EEJ p=56CD@?]βk^Am
kAmpD :E 3642>6 4=62C E92E βE96 25>:?:DEC2E:@? @7 $@FE96C? !:682? H2D ?@E 8@:?8 E@ H@C< H:E9 >6 2E 2== @? H92E E96 AC@3=6> H2D[β s6D#@D:6C 5:5 D@>6E9:?8 5C2DE:4 π E96 62C=J 52JD @7 |2J a_ac] $96 42==65 E96 stp]k^Am
kAm~? |2J `b[ a_ac[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 7@F?5 96CD6=7 @? 2 42== H:E9 7656C2= :?G6DE:82E@CD 7C@> E96 stp 2?5 E96 s6A2CE>6?E @7 w62=E9 2?5 wF>2? $6CG:46DV ~77:46 @7 x?DA64E@C v6?6C2=]k^Am
k9amstp :?G6DE:82E:@?k^9am
kAmp 76H H666 E@ qC@H?:?8 E@ >66E H:E9 s6D#@D:6C 2?5 u@?52 #65 u@I[ H9@ H2D H@C<:?8 2D E96 5:C64E@C @7 46?EC2=:K65 3:==:?8 7@C q=24<766E %C:32= w62=E9 $JDE6> 2?5 H9@ 925 >256 96C @H? 677@CED E@ C6A@CE 96C 4@?46C?D 23@FE $!wr H:E9:? E96 EC:36 2?5 E@ E96 stp]k^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5 E96 :?G6DE:82E@CD 2D<65 96C E@ A6C7@C> 2?5 D92C6 >@C6 492CE C6G:6HD]k^Am
kAmβp?5 E92EVD H96C6 H6 5:D4@G6C65 E92E bd[___ E@ c_[___ A:==D H6C6 =62G:?8 E92E 4=:?:4 6G6CJ >@?E9[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] βtG6CJ D:?8=6 >@?E9]βk^Am
kAm|@C6 DA64:7:42==J[ s6D#@D:6C 4@>A:=65 2? 2?@?J>:K65 DAC625D966E 7@C E96 stp E92E D9@H65 bd[e_b A:==D H6C6 AC6D4C:365 2E $!wr π ~4E@36C a_ab 2?5 c_[_ee π pAC:= a_ac] $96 D2:5 @E96C 492CE C6G:6HD :?5:42E65 E96D6 2>@F?ED 925 C6>2:?65 C6=2E:G6=J 4@?D:DE6?E 7@C J62CD]k^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C[ #65 u@I 2?5 @E96CD D2:5 E96J H6C6 DF3A@6?265 π $6AE6>36C a_ac]k^Am
kAm$E] v@552C5 D2:5 π pAC:= E92E D96 925 ?@E 962C5 7C@> E96 stp[ 3FE E92E :?G6DE:82E@CD 7C@> s!ww$ ~77:46 @7 x?DA64E@C v6?6C2= βC6BF6DE65 2== @7 @FC A2:?\>2?286>6?E 7:=6Dβ 2?5 E92E $!wr AC@G:565 E96> π >:5\a_ad]k^Am
k9ams6>2?5:?8 492?86k^9am
kAm(9:=6 E96:C :?G6DE:82E:@? @DE6?D:3=J 4@?E:?F65 π E96 324<8C@F?5[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5 :?G6DE:82E@CD AFD965 96C 2?5 @E96CD H:E9:? E96 EC:32= 962=E9 DJDE6> E@ H@C< H:E9 $!wr 2?5 E96 EC:32= 4@F?4:= E@ :>A=6>6?E 2?5 7@==@H 2 49C@?:4\A2:? A@=:4J E92E 2596C65 E@ βDE2?52C5\@7\42C6 >65:4:?6[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5]k^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 5:5 D@[ 6G6? 8@:?8 D@ 72C 2D C64CF:E:?8 ?6H βAC@G:56CD H9@ 6H E9:D EJA6 @7 >65:4:?6[ H9@ 6H E96 5CF8D[ H9@ 6H E96 2=E6C?2E:G6D[ H9@ H@C<65 π 49C@?:4 A2:? E@ 4@>6] p?5 H6 H6C6 56G6=@A:?8 E96 H9@=6 AC@8C2> E@ 6DD6?E:2==J E2<6 @G6C E96 EC62E>6?E @7 E96D6 A2E:6?ED E92E H6C6 36:?8 EC62E65 :?2AAC@AC:2E6=J]βk^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 :?DE2==65 E92E E62> π E96 EC:36βD AF3=:4 962=E9 56A2CE>6?E[ H96C6 2 A9JD:4:2? H:E9 2 324<8C@F?5 π 49C@?:4\A2:? 42C6 H2D 3C@F89E π E@ 96=A $!wr A2E:6?ED EC2?D:E:@? D276=J E@ =@H6C 5@D6D 2?5 255C6DD E96:C F?56C=J:?8 :DDF6D]k^Am
kAm~? }@G] g[ a_ac[ $E:772C> 2?5 {J=6 #FE96C7@C5[ 2 >6>36C @7 E96 EC:32= 3FD:?6DD 4@F?4:= H9@ E96? 492:C65 :ED 962=E9 4@>>:EE66[ AFE E96:C 56>2?5D 7@C 492?86 π 2 =6EE6C E@ $E] v@552C5[ E96 4=:?:4βD 25>:?:DEC2E@C]k^Am
kAm%92E =6EE6C C676C6?465 s6D#@D:6CβD 492CE C6G:6HD 2?5 ?@E65 D6G6C2= β:DDF6D @7 4@?46C?[β :?4=F5:?8 β@G6C\AC6D4C:3:?8 @7 @A:2E6 ?2C4@E:4D[ :>AC@A6C 5@4F>6?E2E:@? @7 G:D:ED[ 2?5 :?4@>A=6E6 6G2=F2E:@? @7 A2E:6?ED C646:G:?8 @A:2E6D 7@C 49C@?:4 A2:?]βk^Am
kAmv6CG2:D[ E96 492:C>2?[ H2D 2>@?8 E9@D6 44β5 @? E96 =6EE6C] qFE s6D#@D:6C D2:5 v6CG2:D 2?5 >@DE @7 9:D 4@==628F6D @? E96 EC:32= 4@F?4:= βH@F=5?VE H@C< H:E9 FD[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5]k^Am
kAmv6CG2:D E@=5 {66 t?E6CAC:D6D 96 2?5 @E96CD π E96 EC:32= 8@G6C?>6?E β@7 4@FCD6β E@@< 96C β2==682E:@?D G6CJ D6C:@FD=J[β 3FE D2:5[ β(6 4@F=5?βE 24E @? E9:?8D H:E9@FE AC@A6C :?7@C>2E:@?]βk^Am
kAms6D#@D:6C D2:5[ β%96 >2;@C:EJ @7 E96 4@F?4:= H@F=5 5676?5 H92E $@FE96C? !:682? H2D 5@:?8] p?5 E96? 2 A2E:6?E 5:65]βk^Am
kAmp7E6C E92E 562E9[ s6D#@D:6C D2:5 D96 76=E 2 ?6H FC86?4J E@ AC6DD E96 EC:32= 4@F?4:= E@ E2<6 24E:@? 2?5 C67@C> $@FE96C? !:682?]k^Am
kAmx? 2 y2?] `c[ a_ad =6EE6C 255C6DD65 E@ E96 βw@?@C23=6 |6>36CD @7 E96 q=24<766E %C:32= qFD:?6DD r@F?4:=[β s6D#@D:6C 2?5 $E:772C> 3C@F89E 7@CH2C5 H92E E96J 56D4C:365 2D β2 >2EE6C @7 FE>@DE FC86?4J[ @?6 E92E E@F496D[ ?@E @?=J @? E96 962=E9 2?5 D276EJ @7 @FC A6@A=6[ 3FE 2=D@ E96:C 5:8?:EJ 2?5 ECFDE π E96 DJDE6>D >62?E E@ AC@E64E E96>]βk^Am
kAmxE H2D 2 H66< 27E6C s6D#@D:6C 2?5 $E:772C> D6?E E96:C =6EE6C E92E s6D#@D:6C 4@?7C@?E65 v6CG2:D[ E96 EC:32= 3FD:?6DD 4@F?4:=βD 492:C>2?[ 2?5 282:? FC865 E96 EC:36 E@ 24E]k^Am
kAm$@@? 27E6C[ @? u63] a_[ a_ad[ E96 EC:32= 4@F?4:= A2DD65 2 A2:C @7 C6D@=FE:@?D]k^Am
kAm~?6 C6:?DE2E65 $E] v@552C5[ p=56CD@? 2?5 2?@E96C ?FCD6 H9@ 925 366? A=2465 @? =62G6] %96 @E96C >@G65 E96 962=E9 46?E6C @FE @7 E96 4@?EC@= @7 q=24<766E %C:32= w62=E9 2?5 F?56C E96 DFA6CG:D:@? @7 E96 EC:32= 4@F?4:= 2?5 962=E9 3@2C5] s6D#@D:6C[ $E:772C> 2?5 EC:32= 962=E9 H6C6 ?@ =@?86C π 492C86]k^Am
k9amβp 8:2?E C6=:67βk^9am
kAmp7E6C 36:?8 E@=5 E92E $E] v@552C5 925 2??@F?465 π 96C u63CF2CJ =6EE6C E92E $!wr H@F=5 6?5 :ED A2:?\>2?286>6?E AC@8C2> 2?5 DE@A βAC6D4C:3:?8 2?J 49C@?:4 A2:? >65:42E:@?D[ @A:@:5 @C @E96CH:D6[β s6D#@D:6C 42==65 :E β2 8:2?E C6=:67]βk^Am
kAmβxE 766=D =:<6 xV> 36:?8 G:?5:42E65[ C:89Enβ s6D#@D:6C D2:5] βqFE E96 >@DE :>A@CE2?E A2CE @7 E92E H9@=6 E9:?8 :D[ A2E:6?ED 2C6 ?@E 8@:?8 E@ 36 92C>65] p?5 2E E96 6?5 @7 E96 52J[ E92EVD E96 8@2=]βk^Am
kAmp?5 E9@F89 :E E@@< E:>6[ s6D#@D:6C 36=:6G6D 96C 677@CED >256 2 5:776C6?46]k^Am
kAmβx7 x H@F=5?VE 92G6 5@?6 H92E x 5:5 β :7 u@?52 2?5 x H@F=5?VE 92G6 5@?6 H92E H6 5:5 β E96 4=:?:4 H@F=5 ?@E 36 2E E9:D A@:?E[β s6D#@D:6C D2:5] β!2EEJ Wp=56CD@?X H@F=5 DE:== 36 AC6D4C:3:?8 @A:2E6D =:<6 4C2KJ] !6@A=6 H@F=5 DE:== 36 5J:?8] !6@A=6 H@F=5 DE:== 36 ?@E 36:?8 EC62E65 7@C H92E E96:C 4@?5:E:@?D 2C6] ~? 2?5 @? 2?5 @?] xE H@F=5 DE:== 36 ;FDE 8@:?8 @?[ 2?5 ?@3@5J H@F=5 6G6? @H :E @C 42C6]βk^Am
Bison from the Blackfeet Buffalo Program graze on their winter range along the Two Medicine River. The tribe has about 700 bison in the herd, and this year they harvested about 20 to distribute across the community.
THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record
k9amβp C62= 52C< A=246βk^9am
kAms6D#@D:6C H2D?βE 2C@F?5 E@ D66 E96 492?86D D96 42==65 7@C 36:?8 :>A=6>6?E65] $96 92D 366? 8@?6 7C@> E96 EC:32= 962=E9 DJDE6> 2?5 E96 AC24E:46 @7 >65:4:?6 D:?46 |2C49 “[ a_ad[ H96? D96 C6E:C65 @G6C 762CD D96 H@F=5 D@@? 36 C6E2=:2E65 282:?DE 2?5 7:C65]k^Am
kAmq642FD6 96C 56A2CEFC6 @44FCC65 23CFAE=J 2?5 D96 β925 2 3F?49 @7 DEF77 E92E DE:== ?66565 E@ 36 4@>A=6E65[β s6D#@D:6C H6?E :?E@ 96C @77:46 E@ E:6 FA =@@D6 6?5D E92E D96 76=E D96 β?66565 E@ 7:?:D9]βk^Am
kAmpD D96 H2D H@C<:?8[ D96 D2:5[ βD64FC:EJ D9@H65 FA 2?5 6D4@CE65 >6 @FE @7 E96 3F:=5:?8]β $96 H2D?βE 6G6? 23=6 E@ 4@==64E 96C 46CE:7:42E6D 2?5 5:A=@>2D 2?5 @E96C >6>6?E@D] xE H2D 2 56G2DE2E:?8 6?5 E@ 2 E9C66\564256 42C66C D6CG:?8 96C EC:36[ 2?5 :E D6?E 96C E@ β2 C62= 52C< A=246[β D96 D2:5]k^Am
kAmβ$@ ?@H H92E 2> x 8@:?8 E@ 5@ H:E9 >J =:76nβk^Am
Ted McDermott has been a reporter and editor at newspapers in Missoula, Butte and Spokane.Β His reporting has earned numerous journalism awards, including the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting and first place for Coverage of Indigenous Communities by a non-Native reporter from the Indigenous Media Awards.
Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!
Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.