Browning, MT  — September 28th, 2009 —  The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council today announced that it has released the first edition of a bimonthly publication called “Tribal Council Reports” to improve communications with Tribal members.  The format has a section for each of the nine BTBC members where they can update members on their activities, priorities, objectives, and comment on current topics.

“The New Council is committed to transparency, accountability, and communication,” said Willie Sharp, Tribal Chairman, “Members have a right to know what we are doing to serve them, to solve problems, and to move our tribe forward.”

“I sometimes hear from Tribal members that they don’t know as much about what the Council is doing as they would like,” added Rusty Tatsey, Vice Chairman.  “I am sure that most members would be surprised, even amazed, at how busy we are and how much we get done in a week, and this is a way to open up the blinds and let the sun shine in so the entire tribe can see what we are doing for them.”

Tribal Council Reports are available online in electronic form.  Go to www.blackfeetnation.com and click on Publications.

Tribal Secretary T.J. Show commented:  “The demands placed on Councilmen at such a large tribe are enormous: unlike most Tribal Councils, we meet almost everyday.  That doesn’t leave as much time as we would like to spend time with members, so the new Tribal Council Reports are an important way for us to communicate and seek input.”

About the Blackfeet:

With 16,000 enrolled members, we are the largest Indian tribe in Montana and one of the largest tribes in the United States.  Our rugged, picturesque 1.5 million acre (3,000 square mile) reservation in Montana has a population of about 10,000, including 8,500 enrolled Blackfeet and several hundred Blackfeet descendents.   The other 7,500 Tribal members are scattered all over the world.  Our largest town and seat of government is Browning (population 3,500, including surrounding areas).  Other towns include Heart Butte, Blackfoot, Starr School, Babb, Saint Mary, Kiowa, and East Glacier. Visit our website at www.blackfeetnation.com

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