Employment and training agreement signed by Blackfeet Tribe, Montana
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 10:26 AM MST
Representatives of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, Blackfeet Manpower, Montana Governor Schweitzer's office, Indian legislators and others from the Blackfeet Reservation met in Helena Feb. 15 to negotiate the signing of a One-Stop Agreement. The One-Stop concept evolved from the U.S. Department of Labor in 1998 and with Governor Schweitzer's appointment of a State Workforce Investment Board in 2006. Various geographical areas in Montana were urged to seek certification. This board advises the governor on how to improve the existing statewide workforce system within the realm of workforce training, education, social service programs, apprenticeships in the construction trades, economic development and veteran's services.
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| Blackfeet Chairman Earl Old Person signed an agreement with Montana Commissioner of Labor Keith Kelly Feb. 15 to begin implementation of a "One-Stop" state employment center on the Blackfeet Reservation. The first such agreement in Indian Country, the arrangement is being handled through the Blackfeet Manpower office, directed by George Kipp IV.
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At this time other entities have been certified, but the Blackfeet Manpower Program through the Blackfeet Tribe is the first Native American One-Stop in the United States. This certification will allow various venues to increase employment and training services to the Blackfeet Reservation by helping job seekers and Montana employers to improve their businesses and hire workers. One of the integral features of the certification process is the ability for One-Stops through the State Workforce Investment Board, to seek local funding for the reservation workers and projects.
George Kipp IV, Manpower Director, said, "The dedication of the people involved to reach these goals is very commendable as it has been a long process trying to work out the One-Stop Agreement with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry." Credit must also be given to Kati Bremner, Glacier County Director of the Montana Department of Health and Human Services; Mike DesRosier, Glacier County Commissioner from this area; and Governor Schweitzer's appointee from this area on the State Workforce Investment Board.
George continued, "Without the full support of the full Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, and especially HESS Chairman Edwin "Sooney" Little Plume, we would have not reached this plateau." In addition to Councilman Little Plume, participants at the meeting from this area were Chairman and Chief of the Blackfeet Nation, Earl Old Person, who signed the agreement and Tribal Council member Ronald "Smiley" Kittson, who defined segments of the agreement. Other participants in the negotiations were Senator Carol Juneau; Representative Shannon Augare; Tribal Attorney Sandra Watts; Anna Sorrell, Governor's office; Jim Baker, Community Management Team Chairman; Kevin Madman and Kathy Momberg of the Blackfeet Manpower staff.
Chairman Old Person signed the agreement with Montana Commissioner of Labor Keith Kelly.
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