One duty of the State-Tribal Relations Committee (STRC) is to “encourage state-tribal and local government-tribal cooperation.” This interim STRC is examining two issues that affect counties and tribes: the use of satellite/alternative election offices on Indian reservations and the conversion of taxable fee land into nontaxable trust land. On a recent trip to the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes the committee met with tribal and county leaders. Here is some of what the committee heard from tribal and county leaders.
On satellite/alternative election offices
“Blaine County and Fort Belknap deserve a pat on the back. It’s been a number of years that we’ve been working together, and it has not always been easy, but we’ve been able to deliver. We have forged an alliance; we can’t go anywhere separate from each other. We have to work together.” Blaine County Commissioner Dolores Plumage
“We’ve created a good partnership and I feel like with the elections coming up, and elections down the road, things should be very smooth.” Fort Peck Tribal Board member Alex Smith
“Every reservation is very different. We’re doing things right and it’s working. One legislative bill is not going to address the specific needs of every reservation.” Roosevelt County Commissioner Gordon Oelkers (cautioning the committee about one-size-fits-all solutions)
On fee-to-trust conversions
“I feel for the county. I know exactly what they’re talking about. They’re losing their tax base and they struggle to support their communities.” Fort Peck Tribal Board Chairman Floyd Azure
“We’ve always worked together; we get along real good. It’s not a lot of money in a single year, but it adds up.” Roosevelt County Commissioner Gordon Oelkers (suggesting the federal government consider PILT-like payments for trust land)
Chairman Azure provided a nice summation of the value of relationships and cooperation: “I’ve always said that everybody who lives on this reservation is part of this reservation; it doesn’t matter who you are, and the only way we’re going to change things on this reservation is if we work together.”
The State-Tribal Relations Committee enjoyed its visit to both tribal nations and is grateful for the hospitality of the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and to the representatives of Blaine, Phillips, Valley, and Roosevelt Counties who met with the committee and the tribal governing bodies.
