The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1946-09-13
TEAMWORK
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Follows are some of the interesting facts on this at
tempt by northwest Montana Indian folk to secure for
themselves more enjoyable degree of living through
community ownership and management of their prop
critics for the good of all
During the several years the council has been organ
lied by act of congress relating to Indian affairs
much progress has been made to improve the general
living standard of the $500 members of the Flahead
nation Today that tribe is the fourth wealthest in
the United States.
The council democratically elected body of 10
representing the districts on the reservation,
has much jurisdiction the Indians well all
Indian affairs Under it's authority is the Indian police,
educational welfare, management of tribal properties,
general health and welfare recreation, etc.
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP"
1t is about the management of tribal properties
the true Importance and significance of this "com-
munity ownership in practice centers. Three prin-
cpa of income of the tribe is derived from
Leasing of power sites, e. i. Kerr dam to Montana
Power Co., from which return of approximately $780,,
forthcoming annually to the Flatheads; sale of
timber and the operation and management of the tribal
owned Camas Hot Springs corporate enterprise. On
the latter net profit returned in 1915 to the
Indians of $13,500.
The council took over active management of the
Camas Hot Springs about five years ago, and each
year since have made it pay Plans are now underway
to construct 100000 bathhouse as soon the
Civilian Production Administration will approve the
enterprises application Following this construction
the council will have constructed hotel and large
number of cottages near the springs reserve Ultimate
y they anticipate also the construction of 70 to so bed
public hospital
Regarding the new bathhouse, Mr. DeMers points
out that the council is hopeful of securing CPA APP
proyal before many months pass not only because
OF the good that will be derived by the people of the
northwest including disabled veterans of World II
who will receive free services, but Also because the
tribe unlike most building applicants has available
all of its timber and its own sawmil to manufac
ture the necessary lumber; has its building
quarres, and because of the local shortage of skilled
stone plans to import such artisans from among
the Hop Indian tribe of southwestern United States
Present bahhouse facilities have sufficient plumbing
electrical fixtures, etc., to temporarily carry the new
building the extremely critical shortage ma
terials period
CONTRIBUTIONS IN LIEU OF TAXES
Other slants the activities of the council in
Guiding its intensive efforts to improve the health
standards of the Indians. tuberculosis is preva-
lent among the red than the whites, they are
now going about program to systematically stamp it
out Also wellplanned recreation program for Indian
children has for several years been conducted the
tribes Blue Bay Camp the east shore beautiful
Flathead Lake. When materials again available
a considerable expansion of this camps facilities is
planned. In the educational field efforts primarily
are devoted to aiding the regular school systems the
reservation since most of the Indian children attend
those schools Another feature of the councils
vities is its wilde restoration program Already $50
elk have been placed tribal build up the
big game stock Also much attention is paid to the
protecting and encouraging of propagation various
forms of water fowl and other game birds
In reply to question put regarding taxes paid by
the tribe Mr. DeMers pointed out that while the tribal
operations do not pay taxes in the customary sense
local and school governments since they feel that the
Indians are benefited the same the whites by
these local governments. AS examples when Hot
Springs wanted to build gymnasium Zone of largest