ALERT

Crow Tribe Sustains Heavy Flood Damage in Montana

by Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Current Flood Damage

CROW TRIBE RESERVATION - Over 400 members of the Crow Tribe of Montana have been impacted by the high flood waters from the overflowing Little Bighorn and Big Horn Rivers that run through the 2.5 million acres of the reservation.

“Even though property and homes have been heavily damaged, we are truly thankful the people are okay,”

told Donald Spotted Tail (Crow), public information officer for the Crow Tribe, the Native News Network later Friday afternoon.

The catastrophic flooding occurred as the result of the heavy snowfall sustained during the long winter brought on by La Nina conditions and heavy rainfalls this spring.

These 400 members of the Crow Nation have been housed in temporary shelters set up by the American Red Cross in Billings and other community shelters on the Crow Reservation. These members have had their homes damaged or have been evacuated for precautionary measures.

Tribal Chairman Cedric Black Eagle toured the reservation with Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer. Both made visits to tribal members, toured damaged homes and viewed other flood areas by flying over in a helicopter.

“We are taking nothing for granted. We are working hard on the recovery effort and are thankful the rivers are already gradually receding,”

said Spotted Tail.

Spotted Tail said tribal officials are working closely with federal, state and county officials.

The Northern Cheyenne and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations have also sustained damages from the flood.

Donations can be made out to the Crow Tribe Disaster Relief Fund.

posted May 27, 2011 6:27 pm et