Malmstrom hosts annual tribal relations meeting

  • Published
  • By Kiersten McCutchan
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
Col. Jennifer Reeves, 341st Missile Wing commander, welcomed Native American tribal representatives from the state of Montana at the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, for the third annual tribal relations meeting July 12.

Participating were tribal cultural and government leaders, and Malmstrom, U.S. Forest Service and Montana National Guard representatives. The intergovernmental, daylong meeting was a mix of presentations and discussions, regarding federal actions that may affect tribal rights.

The annual meeting is designed to build personal relationships and understanding between the tribes and the installation.

"The event provides an opportunity to hear tribes talk about their cultures and concerns with Malmstrom leadership and others, and to facilitate an informal, open forum for information exchange and dialogue," said Tony Lucas, 341st Missile Wing installation tribal liaison officer and meeting coordinator.

Representatives from the Blackfeet Nation, Chippewa Cree Tribe, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Crow Tribe, Fort Belknap Assiniboine and Gros Ventres Tribes, and Northern Cheyenne Tribe attended the meeting.

"We talk about use and preservation of shared resources," Lucas said, "and we talk about our milestones and continued work toward a shared installation tribal programmatic agreement."

The meeting was also a time to openly discuss military matters and concerns with tribal members such as community projects, air and water quality, flyovers, veterans, education services and more.