Published by Mandaree West Segment (2021)

West Segment News

PRSRT STD

Published by Mandaree West Segment

MANDAREE ND

58757

Editor: Lovina Fox Assistant: LeeAnna Nation

Volume 1 Issue 6

US POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 3

April 2021

A Day in History For The West Segment Community For The Grand

Opening of the Mandaree Volunteer Fire Dept. & EMS

Our people here in the West

Segment community have always

had a dire need for these two

crews. Here is some history on

EMS. It all began on the day of

November 7, 2014. When they first

began working on getting the

service licensed with the State

which started in March of 2013. At

Quotes For The Heart & Mind

that time, it was under former

Councilman Randy Phelan’s

*~”The only way to do a great

administration. When they arrived

work is to love what you do.”

here from Colorado, they were

~Steve Jobs~

housed in motel rooms here in

Mandaree. The garage in the back

*~”If it matters to you, you’ll

of the Water Chief Hall wasn’t

find a way.” ~Charlie Gilkey~

completed yet and it was a very

*~”If you want to fly, give up From right to left; Janine Perkins-EMT, Antionette Kitagawa- cold winter at that time. The

everything that weighs you Manager, Angela-EMT with Killdeer Ambulance, Jessica Spotted ambulance was put inside the

down.” ~Buddha~

Horse-EMT, Ann Hafner-Paramedic Squad leader at Killdeer, community center and once the

garage was ready than we moved

Abel Feltes-Paramedic, Josie Bingen-RN, EMT squad leader

*~”When we strive to become

in. When we moved into the garage,

better than we are, everything

there was no water and there still

around us becomes better too.” isn’t any water as of today. Our EMS crew was eventually moved to the Black Eagle estates. Abel, and

~Paulo Coelho~

myself, lived there full time for the first two years. Dr. Benji Kitagawa was in North Platte, Nebraska

where he was contracted with the hospital there. We were blessed with Jessica Spotted Horse who

started as a driver, she was very helpful because we didn’t know the area. We offered classes which

Inside This Issue:

started in February 2015 and

Pages: 2

& 3. Councilwoman Jessica Spotted Horse and Josie

Turner-Lone Fight Update

Bingen

were our first staff

members from Mandaree. Benji

Page: 4 & 5: Mandaree Fire Dept. & and myself were funding the

EMS Grand Opening Speakers services with our own retirement

Photos

funds. We ran out of money and

Pages: 6 & 7: Inside photos of the the three girls and Abel worked for

new buildings during Grand free four months. We had two

Paramedics from Colorado who

Opening

came and worked for free on their

Pages 10 & 11: Easter Celebration own free time. Ben Mulhausen

and JoAnn Nakano donated many

Pages 17 –20: Dr. Baker Story

Continue on top of page 4.

Photos by LeeAnna Nation, History by Antoinette Kitigawa

Page 2.

West S egment New s April 2021

Councilwoman Turner-Lone Fight Update

Hello community members far and near.

Before I begin this month’s update, I

would like to extend our deepest

sympathy to the Luke Yeahquo Sr., family

and relatives. His funeral was on Friday,

April 16, 2021 so we would like to

inform our readers that we will have his

obituary in our next newspaper. A

reminder, I am asking our community

members to start cleaning up their yards and making your

property nice and respectful. Also the events personnel will be

holding clean up days for State fair tickets. We will also go

around the community choosing the best kept yards. They will

have a map of the community and designate areas for clean up.

Each will be responsible for their area starting May 14 to July

23, 2021. Please attend the Best Chili, Frybread, Ribs and

Potato salad contest. Be sure to sign up for your area within

West Segment to keep clean. This is for adults and children

interested in attending the State fair and to receive free tickets.

You are asked to sign up with Lindsey Fox Sepeta her cell is 421

-6347 and Lorraine Howe at 421-5954. At the Community

Center on May 14, 2021.

Inside the jump house will be a grocery store which will sell

all the grocery needs. We will also have a manager for the

grocery store that will see that these needs are met by our

community. At this time, we don’t know what we are going to

do with the Mandaree Motel due to a lot of repairs and

maintenance which needs to be done.

I did find a location for our assisted living facility which

Chairman Fox will help with the construction. Which will

bring jobs into our community such as: nurses, custodians,

maintenance, health care providers, etc.

is we are in dire need of a state of the art community center.

The house on Highway 22 is the home of the MHA Land &

Live Stock which will be developing a slaughter house and

feed lot. Also the Cultural Department will be in the same

building. Inside the building is where our Hidatsa Language

Program is housed and will be a total Immersion program

where no English will be spoken within the building.

Children ages 2 to 7 years old's the Cultural Department are

requesting that parents must be committed to four years in

bringing their kids to the Immersion class. The instructors are

Lila Gwin, Martha Bird Bear, Mary Gachupin, Carol Newman

and any other Hidatsa speaking elder who would like to

participant and speak Hidatsa with the children.

The Education department should be up and going by May 1,

2021. We need committed individuals who want to receive a

high school diploma and or higher education. The Education

department can help out fill out the necessary paperwork for

college. We are taking applications to help out with

scholarships with a GPA of 2.7 and higher. If you have any

Please get a hold of Shanna Fox at Hidatsa Housing if you are questions please call the West Segment office at 759-3377

behind on rent to make a schedule meeting with her to get in and they will direct you to the right person.

compliance so you will not be evicted. Very Important. I don’t

The Mandaree Water Chief Hall has a lot of deficiencies that

want any one homeless but we still need to be in compliance need to be repaired as soon as possible. The electrical, fire

with Hidatsa Housing.

hazards, no fire escape routes and so fourth. The bottom line

The Community Development Board will be abolished (CDC) I

feel it is in the best interest of the Mandaree Community. I

want to be accountable for all funds received for West Segment

I will utilize the TAT financial department so all funds will be

withdrawn as needed. We need accountability, so we will make

a budget and keep track of all the funds leaving these accounts.

The Jump House, Mandaree Motel, and Hidatsa Housing will

all be budgeted through the TAT Finance Department. The ones

who still have their own accounts are; On the Slant Rodeo

Grounds, MHA Land & Live Stock Corporation, and Mandaree

One Stop. These entities will use their funds allocated in their

budgets.

The Mandaree Community Celebration has decided not to

have a Pow-Wow Celebration this year due to COVID and all

our loved ones that we have lost due to this epidemic. With

the new strand of the virus the committee decided not to

have a celebration. The new established community board

had their first meeting on April 6, 2021. Their first

commitment is to help me improve the community and assist

with budget. I have been learning a great deal in my new

role as councilwoman. I attended executive, TBC, and

committee meetings. I am on the education and chair the

culture committee. I make it a point to attend all committee

meetings when I am able. I am doing my best to serve all of

you in this compacity. My goal is to learn more about

previous resolution, and codes that have been developed for

our MHA Nation. This way, I will have more of an insight on

the process of how it works so I can make good decisions for

our people.

Page 3.

West S egment New s April 2021

Councilwoman Turner-Lone Fight Update

Hello, to all community members

allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Renay Brown, I am

of the Pomo Tribe

which is

located in Northern California.

I have lived on the Fort Berthold

reservation for the past eight

years.

I have worked in

the

Mandaree community at the Mandaree One Stop and I

also worked for the now defunct MEC.

I was recently hired to work with West Segment as a

driver. I will be able to help meet the needs of

Left to right: KamRie, Cora, Kairece, Telisia, Janaya, Jaylene, JC, Tila,

community members. Those who need to get to their

Kricket, Janet and Jaylee. 2021 Lady Warriors!

medical appointment, I can also pick up medication at

The Girls Basketball 5th & 6th Grade Spring Shoot Out hosted by the the Elbowoods Medical Center. I will be wearing two

Parshall Lucky Mound Fitness and Recreation. Pictured above are the hats as I work for the community. I am also working

5th and 6th grade Lady Warriors. They won 3rd place in their first for the MHA Land & Live Stock as the financial manager.

tournament.

My main job and priority will be transporting our

They did a great job! Congratulations to these players, and their people to and from their doctor’s appointments. Please

coaches, officials and their fans! Also a thank you to the Parshall contact Cathy Lone Fight or the receptionist at 759.3377

Lucky Mound Fitness & Recreation for sponsoring this tournament and they will make sure I get the message.

and giving our youth something to look forward too!

I attended and hollered and screamed for our teams on April 10-11,

2021 in Parshall ND.

Our teams were so exciting to watch and

Remember to save the date May 14th for the Cook Off

cheer for. I would like to thank their Coaches who are as follows; for the best food in these categories:

LeeAnna Nation, Doc Howling Wolf, Frank Bearcub, Cordell & Chili

Jordan Mann and Kyle Grady. Also, many thanks to Acorn Holds Frybread

The Enemy who took his weekend to drive our players to the games.

Ribs

They raised money to attend the games. West Segment will be more Potato Salad

involved in helping the players attend more tournaments.

I 1st place: $300.00

encourage the community to help defray cost for all these young 2nd place: $200.00

athletics.

3rd place: $100.00

We also have a High School girls team who will be coached by Plus Trophy:

Wendy Wells. The players are: Jesse Vigen, Ashley Grady, Mayu Everyone is welcome to participate to put your cooking

White, Janae Lone Bear, Brandy Mays, Tiana Lester, Jewels Lone skills to the test and win some extra money. For more

information call Lindsey Fox Sepeta at 421-6347 &

Fight, Kaylee Walking Hawk, Aiyona Johnson & Melody Lone fight.

Lorraine Howe at 421-5954.

Page 4.

West Segment News April 2021

Mandaree Volunteer Fire Dept. & Mandaree Emergency Medical Services

Continue from front page.

hours and they still fill in when we need help. Just so people are

aware in our community, if you feel sick or have a fever, or are

feeling ill. The EMT’s, paramedic or RN are all willing to see

people in our community. They want you to know they are

available so you won’t have to leave your home to make a trip to

urgent care.

Pictured to your left is Robert Franzen he

was one of the guest speakers during the

2021 Mandaree Volunteers Fire Dept.

and The Emergency Medical Service

Grand Opening. He told the audience he

was in a semi-truck collision in 2019 near

Mandaree. If it wasn’t for the Mandaree

Ambulance crew, I wouldn’t be here

today. He said he was injured from his

head to his ankles and he couldn’t walk

for nine months after this accident.

Robert was very thankful to be able to be

Pictured is Robert

at the grand opening and thankful for the

Franzen who shared

his story with the Mandaree Ambulance. To show his

appreciation for the ambulance crew, he

audience.

donated $50,000 towards the

construction of the EMS building. He was so very grateful for and

thankful for the Mandaree EMS team they were there in a very

short time. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made it if he had to wait

for another ambulance to arrive. Since we live in a rural area it

would take an half an hour for an ambulance to reach him.

Pictured to your left is Mary Fredericks,

hugging Lydia Bearstail who offered

the prayer at the grand opening. Mary

is one of the prime movers and grant

writer a long with others who worked

hard on the success of us having this,

much needed, building for our

community. Kudos to all who worked

hard in making this all happen. Marle

Baker for making his vision a reality

and for all his hard work and

dedication he has committed to our community.

Showing their pride and support community members came to witness the

2021 March grand opening of the new building in our community.

This is definitely a memoir for our West Segment community members. We

now have a building which is intended for our Mandaree Volunteers Fire

department and our Emergency Medical Services.

A great line up was scheduled for the grand opening. First of all, they had a

flag raising by the American Legion Post 271 with a flag song rendered by

the Mandaree Singers. When we have our gatherings here in our community

we always start with a prayer. In this case, a prayer was offered by one of

our elders, Lyda Bearstail, who traveled from Bismarck to attend this grand

opening. Fire Chief, Marle Baker, gave the audience a history of the

Mandaree Volunteer Fire Department. Other speakers were Dr. Benji

Kitigawa, who gave a history on the Mandaree Emergency Medical

Services. The Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council Chairman– Mark Fox,

Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council- Councilwoman Gladys Sherry

Tuner-Lone Fight, our West Segment Representative. Other special guests

included; North Dakota State Representative– Ruth Buffalo. Three Affiliated

Tribes Emergency Operations Center Director– Emily Sitting Bear, Mckenzie

County Emergency Manager-Karolin Jappe, Dunn County Emergency

Manager– Denise Brew, Mandaree Fire Protect District Board President–

Lisa DeVille, Mandaree Community Board President– Kelly Bradfield.

Special guest was Robert Franzen. The Mandaree Volunteer Fire

Department furnished an appreciation meal for those who attended the

grand opening. The Emergency Response Center Tour was done by the

Mandaree Volunteers and Mandaree EMS personnel. Mandaree Fire Chief

Marle Baker and his wife Mary and others who helped are responsible for

this project becoming a reality.

Today was an awesome day for our people in our community. We

no longer have to travel so far for medical reasons. Or wait so

long for the fire department to get here in case of a fire. We are On behalf of the Mandaree Volunteers Fire Department and Mandaree

Emergency Medial Services would like to thank their many supporters who

so thankful to all who made this possible.

have so graciously supported our beloved community.

Page 5.

West Segment News April 2021

Mandaree Volunteer Fire Dept. & Mandaree Emergency Medical Services

Photos by LeeAnna Nation

Dr. Benji Kitigawa was one of the

guest speakers. Who moved from

Colorado to North Dakota to create

the ambulance service for our

community. Having a background as

emergency medicine physician

whose passion as always been

EMS. 2011 Mandaree was in need

of EMS Service.

Our community is very fortunate to have Mr. Marle

Baker living in our community. It all started with his

vision that our community could have their own fire

department. With that he began his journey on

finding a way to see vision through. Today was the

day!

Mrs. Lisa DeVille is currently the Mandaree

Fire Project District Board President. She

thanked everyone who was responsible for

the success of having this building

available for our community members.

Mckenzie County Emergency Manager– Denise Brew

from Watford City was one of the speakers. Thanking

the Mandaree Volunteer Services for always being

first on the scene and not far behind us.

MHA Nation Tribal Chairman Mark

Fox was another guest speaker at

the 2021 Grand Opening.

Caroline Jeppe from the

Dunn County EMT. Thanked

the Mandaree ambulance

team for helping them by

loaning a ambulance to

them without any charge.

She was gifted with a

Pendleton.

Ruth Buffalo North Dakota State

Representative was also one of the

speakers. She spoke from the heart with

happiness of what our community has

accomplished. Mandaree is her home so she

felt joy of tears because the fire department

and the EMS will help our people. Our people

won’t have to wait for 45 minutes to an hour

for an ambulance to get here. Today our

people will be taken care of.

Page 6.

West S egment New s Ap ril 2021

Inside the Walls of the New Facility Grand Opening

Photos by Marle Baker

The EMS Ambulance crew now has a home for their ambulances

which are pictured above. The building is very clean and refreshing

to know these ambulances will be in good care from the elements.

On the other side of the facility the Mandaree Volunteers Fire Trucks are

parked inside the same building as the ambulances. As you can see the

spacious room they have for their emergency vehicles.

Here is another spacious room it is on the top level. We aren’t

sure as of this day what this space will be used for. I am sure the

EMS and Fire Dept will have some good use for this space. The

whole building was awesome.

Here is another beautiful part of the building. As you can see it has a

kitchen inside, tables, a couch and chairs for the teams to relax or

have a meal when they’re not busy. This room is where they can wind

down and relax.

Page 7.

West Segment News April 2021

More Grand Opening Pictures

Front of the Mandaree Volunteers Fire Department

In this photo you can see the garage doors on the side of the new

building with no parking signs recently placed on the garage doors.

American Legion Post 271 was on hand to raise the flags during the

grand opening.

Mandaree Emergency Medical Services Building which is behind

the Mandaree Volunteers Fire Department.

The United Stated Flag and the MHA Nation Flag proudly wave

with the wind outside the Mandaree Volunteers Fire Dept.

Flag song was rendered by the Mandaree Singers.

Page 8.

West S egment New s April 2021

West Segment Cultural Department

Photo by LeeAnna Nation Article by Lila Gwin

Mada nuxbaaga’ ooh miic Agu’mataash

(Lila

C.

Gwin),

magoo

Awagua’addaarish (Pearl Burr, Young

Bear) she’ec. Mahuu Hashiiraa wia

(Ailsa Young Bear Gwin) she’ec.

Hiri hiraa mii rapaawa, aru maa

waguhxtic. Mada nogareeh hii mada

aru caawa’oh xabiiwa waahe’ etaag

My name is Mary (Yellow Wolf) Gachupin. I

was recently hired as a consultant for the

West Segment Cultural Department. I am

fluent in our Hidatsa Language. I was born in

Elbowoods and raised here in Mandaree. My

parents are the late John Yellow Wolf and

Thelma (Young Bear) Yellow Wolf. I am an

enrolled member of the Three Affiliated

Tribes here on Fort Berthold. I am a genuine Meecii-rooga Flint

Knife Clan member as both my parents are Meecii-rooga.

she’eguhaa mada maaduwaxucigeh aru ma awagiawia’ ce. Hoo I graduated from Mandaree High School and I also graduated from

maa aru awaashe’e, hiri mate’eh mada nogare’ eh ii gua the University of New Mexico. I taught elementary in a BIA

government school in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico for thirty-five

waarug, maabi iidutaa aru maghu raac.

years. I retired from there and moved back home here in Mandaree,

Mada nogare’eh hii mada aru caawa’oh awaagshe’ coog’ haa where I am currently living. I speak Hidatsa all the time when I visit

awaa’rug she’e she’e aru cagiic.

with my family and relatives.

Friends and relatives, I Lila C. Gwin was recently hired to the I continue to strive to keep our culture alive. Our language is who

West Segment Cultural Department; as the Hidatsa Language we are. As an elder of our community, I feel sad to see our language

slipping away. This younger generations don’t realize the

Coordinator. I was born in Watford City, ND and raised in

importance of our languages. They like to procrastinate.

Mandaree. I graduated from Mandaree Public School in 1983. I

Maacagiraar!

then attended college in Lawrence, Kansas, (1983-1985), where

I received my Associate of Arts in Education. I have worked as an

educator for most of my adult life as a Physical Education

Assistant/Coach; Early Childhood Teacher, and in Special

Education. I have also served as a board member with the

Bridger Project and the Mandaree Inc Board.

My goad for this position is to revitalize and preserve our

Hidatsa language and culture to the best of my abilities. I’m

looking forward to working with you all and the many

endeavors ahead of us.

“I implore each and every one of you to support our efforts; and

start using our language now.. start passing down your

knowledge to our younger generations. This is the only way we

as a Hidatsa nation will continue to exist.”

Maacagiiraods mada nuxbaaga’ooh

My name is Martha (Yellow Wolf) Bird

Bear. I was recently hired as a

Consultant for the West Segment

Cultural Department. I am fluent in our

Hidatsa Language. My parents are the

late John Yellow Wolf and Thelma

(Young Bear) Yellow Wolf. I am an

enrolled member of the Three Affiliated

Tribes. I belong to the Meecii-rooga Flint

Knife Clan from both my parents also

belong to the Meecii-rooga clan. My sister Mary Gachupin will also

be a consultant for the Cultural Department. We have hopes to

make a strong impact on our people here in West Segment with our

Hidatsa Language.

I am married to Fritz Bird Bear, we live out east of the Mandaree

community. We are the grandparents of four grandchildren and we

have two great-grandchildren. Martha retired from the Mandaree

School 2017. She worked there for the past twenty five years.

Martha speaks Hidatsa all the time with her husband, and with

family and relatives when they visit. She is known to the kids and

students as magu.

West Segment News April 2021

Page 9.

EMT Spotted Horse Will Move on in July 2021

Photo by LeeAnna Nation

If you’re a long time member of the West

Segment community, then this young lady

is known to you. Her name is Jessica

Spotted Horse, she is the mother of one

son. She has lived in our community most

of her young adult life. She is the

daughter of Elton and Jeannine Spotted

Horse. Presently, Jessica has a very

crucial duty to our community in her

capacity as an EMT (Emergency Medical

Technician). Currently, Jessica has gained

six years of experience in being an EMT. We recently spoke to her about

her duties as an EMT and how she handles it? As she explains; “I have to

stay calm, most of all practice, what your trained to do”. I try to make my

patients feel calm and relaxed because no one likes call 911. So I try to

make them feel as ease as much as possible, by taking a little bit of

stress off of them. Believe me it’s a lot of work, its stressful at times, you

have to dedicate your life to be an EMT. We wanted to know why she

chose to be an EMT as Jessica tells us; “First of all, I experienced a bad

car accident which killed a family of four. Secondly, my nephew fell into a

manhole. It was at those times, I wished I knew more. The very traumatic

events are when I realized I wanted to know more about how to help in

situations I mentioned and becoming an EMT would enable me to help my

community. At that time, I was the only CHR in Mandaree and there was

no ambulance service here. With all this happening in our community,

Jessica began her journey of being an EMT. She has six months of book

training. When book training was done, then she had to prepare for

practical’s which is hands on. As she explains to us; “ We had nine hands

on practical sheets to pass through this training course that you’re going

through. They then sign you off to go through the state test to pass. You

must get 70% on the exam before they approve to go to the next level,

which is the written national registration test.”

my job isn’t so demanding, then he can play sports and I will be

there for him.

In Grand Forks they have major hospitals where I want to work,

the place is closer to my fiancé’s work as well. In moving there, I

am going to be working as an Emergency Medical Technician in

the ER. My hope is to gain more hand on training for being a

Phelobanist and EMT tech.

My plan and goals are to utilize my certification as a Phelobanist.

We will return home during the summer months when my son

Gabriel is out of school. One good thing is when I am at home, I’ll

be able to pick up days and shifts here.

As we visited I asked Jessica what her most memorable moment

was while she was an EMT here in Mandaree? “I have to say that

one most memorable moments was when we actually got a call, I

was officially an EMT.” That was one memorable moment for me

because I felt all my hard work, my sacrifice and tears, when the

book work was difficult, was all worth it. All my time and dedication

has paid off. When I passed the main test I cried.

Our community will have Jessica as an EMT until the end of July

that’s when she makes her move to Grand Forks.

This must be her calling before Jessica was an EMT for our

community, she served us as a Community Health Representative

known as (CHR). CHR’s take people to their doctors appointments,

do home visits and check their blood pressures, and sugar levels.

Seeing to their daily needs.

Today, she is still caring for our people with her experience as

being a CHR, which helped her become familiar with elders who

are sickly and knowing where they live. Her role as an EMT is

more crucial because now she’s in a position to help save the lives

of our people. She has dedicated six years to us here in Mandaree

We wish her the best of luck as she journey’s on her new path of

As many of us work, we see an avenue of growth and opportunity that we

life. In all hopes that she will return to us and help us once again.

desire to further our goals and growth in life. As with Jessica, she has an

eye for opportunity and a yearning to gain more experience which helped

her in making a decision to move to Grand Forks. It will be unfortunate for

our community, as we are losing a hard worker and an EMT. She

explains how difficult it is to work in Mandaree and trying to be active in

her son’s school activities while he attends school in Killdeer. “It’s difficult

for me to let him play in sports, simply because I am too busy. I won’t be

able to give him the support he deserves. Whereas If I am in place where

Page 10.

West Segment News April 2021

West Segment Easter Celebration

Photos by LeeAnna Nation

This year’s Easter

Celebration

was

held at the Water

Chief Hall. This

celebration

was

sponsored by the

We s t

S eg m e n t

Administration. The

Easter Celebration

event was held on

April 1,

2021

which started at

1pm and went into

the afternoon. With

the

master

of

c e r e m o n y

Councilwoman

G l a dy s

Sh er r y Pictured here are the community members with their families who came to

Turner-Lone Fight enjoy the Easter meal.

and Chief of Staff

Kevin Finley.

There

were

a

of

Lila Gwin offered the prayer for the Easter n u m b e r

meal. Lindsey Fox Septa gifted her a activities for the

kids

in

our

beautiful star quilt.

com m u n i ty

to

enjoy and have fun participating in.

There were Easter baskets for ages (0-12) which all the kids

received. Than a Easter Egg hunt was sponsored by Delma

Fox for ages (0-12).

There was a great line up of games for the kids to

participate in such as; baby crawl ages (0-1) years old with

1st place: $30.00, 2nd place: $20.00, 3rd place: $15.00. An

egg toss for ages 13 on up and adults/2 person team with

winner takes all:: $100.00. The egg toss was sponsored by

LeeAnna Nation & Stacey Bear. Obstacle course was a 3Here is Sammy White Owl showing her full basket of Easter eggs.

Man team (1 youth 6-12/1

teen 13-18/1 adult 19+)

winner take all $150.00

The

We s t

S eg m e n t

Administration sponsored

the Easter dinner for the

community.

A wavier must be signed by a

legal guardian or parent to

participate. Mask were

r eq u i r ed wi th C ov i d

guidelines to be followed.

Many of the kids enjoyed

their Easter baskets, most of

all seeing the Easter bunny

and the egg hunts. Along

with the youth and adults as

Kaylee and Braylen Bear carrying their big Easter Baskets.

well.

Page 11.

West S egment New s April 2021

West Segment Easter Celebration

Ages 8 & 9 year old's gathering their Easter eggs.

Ages 6 & 7 year old category gathering their Easter eggs.

Kylier and Tommy 4th graders gathering their Easter eggs. Tommy

used a card board box, he was in a hurry to get his Easter eggs.

Adult Egg Toss contestants are tossing eggs trying not to break or drop

their egg. There was fun for all ages at the Easter Celebration.

Elder Egg Toss winners Arden Boxer and Sheila Jenner pictured here (L-R)

LeeAnna Nation, Arden Boxer, Sheila Jenner and Stacey Bear. Sisters

LeeAnna and Stacey sponsored the Elder Egg Toss in memory of their late

grandmothers LouAnn Phelan and Mable Bear, winning $50 a piece. Angela

Young Bear donated another $100 for the second place winners.

These girls are busy coloring Easter eggs .

Page 12.

West S egment New s April 2021

For Your Information

Hello Elders!!!

Meals are served from 11am-12:30pm, Monday through Friday and

breakfast is from 8am to 9am. Meal deliveries leave the building

between 10:30 am to 10:45 am Monday to Thursday. Friday meals

deliveries leave the building between 8:00-8:15am.

Eligible persons to receive meals are those 55 and over and are

members of a federally recognized tribe. Those under 55 who

request a meal are required to pay $5.00.

Star quilt Classes Offered at Water Chief Hall

This class is open to anyone who

wants to learn how to make star

quilts. The class are offered at no

cost. Star quilt making classes are

being offered. Limited to six spots,

so the first six people plus their

partner will be in the classes. All

participants must be committed in

attending every class. We have six

tables so six people plus their

partners. You can contact Amanda Mckenzie at 701-421-2288. Classes

will start at 6pm every Mondays and Wednesdays.

The Mandaree Elders Meal site would like to ask each of you that if

you are not going to be home please call and let us know. Our

phone number is 759-3092, if we do not answer the phone please

leave a message on the answering machine as at times we are busy

There are two spots yet opened on the poster below if you’re interested

and are unable to answer the phone.

call Lila Gwin at 421-0821 to have your spot reserved. Class will start on

Quick reminder, if you have an appointment all elders are asked to Wednesday, April 14 from 1pm to 3pm. These classes are limited to ten

contact Rosie Johnson at 421-8519 or 759-3377. You are asked to participants for questions call 759-3377.

bring in your documents to Rosie Johnson at least 2 to 5 days

ahead of your doctor’s appointment, which will give her enough

time to take care of everything.

The Mandaree Elders meal site made Easter baskets for all the

elders in our community each basket was lovingly prepared by our

staff here we all hope you enjoy it.

The elders building is not yet open for congregate meals we are still

closed to the public. We have been taking every precaution to stay

healthy and safe through this pandemic.

Here is a list of our current workers here at the Mandaree Elders

building:

Pamela Fox-Cook

Thressa Fox– Assistant Cook

Brad Howe– Delivery/Helper

Monica Nagel– Helper/Transporter

Nina Finley– Elder Care

Page 13.

West S egment New s April 2021

For Your Information

Coolsys Light Commercial Company Hired to Work With

West Segment

MHA DOT Moved To Water Chief Hall In Mandaree

The MHA DOT dispatch operations has recently moved to the

Listed here are the services Coolsys Can Provide for our Mandaree Community building, Water Chief Hall. The MHA DOT

Community:

dispatcher can be contacted for the services of a Motor Carrier

Service/installation: of propane, natural gas, electric and fuel oil Inspector. The MHA DOT Administration building is still located at ND

HWY #23 and BIA Road #2. Below are the contact numbers to the

furnaces, plenum heaters, boiler systems and more.

MHA DOT services:

Service/installation: of AC and refrigeration systems

MHA DOT Administration Building: (701) 627-2838 (company

Residential & commercial: plumbing services

fleet registration, permits).

We charge $80/hr plus parts 8-5pm Monday thru Friday.

MHA DOT Dispatch Operations: (701) 759-3576 (Motor Carrier

Inspector services)

24/7 Emergency services: call (701) 721-7116 if no answer please Matthew Yellow Wolf

leave a message. Keep in mind for emergency calls or on weekends, CMCI

national holidays, Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, etc., you will be

MHA DOT

charged $140/hr plus parts for nights.

Cell: (701) 421-8676

Public Service Announcement:

WEST SEGMENT MAINTENACE ON CALL

West Segment please continue to wear you mask. Don’t March 14 to March 20, 2021:

let your guard down. There was an unknown PERSON in Ervin Halvorson Sr.: 421-3257

our community who was positive with COVID-19. Now we Julius Halvorson: 421-8093

have a community person affected. We can’t trust no one. March 21 to March 27, 2021:

Anyone entering the West Segment community center are Ervin Halvorson Jr.: 421-2948

required to wear a mask. Keep your families and relatives Tyrell Halvorson: 421-5866

March 28 to April 3, 2021:

safe and continue to mask up.

Wade Hunts Along: 421-6965

Thank you

Councilwoman Gladys Sherry Turner-Lone Fight

Jeremy Wounded Face: 421-3979

West Segment Transportation Department

Updated Mandaree Post Office Hours: 759-3370:

Monday-Friday: 12:00-4:00pm

Saturday: 11:00-1:00p

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Schedule:

Saturday: 7:30pm New Town

West Segment is in process of doing

beautification in and around our segment.

The Transportation Department will be

removing all old junk vehicles around the

West Segment area. Spring is near and these

vehicles draw mice and snakes.

Sunday: 8:30am New Town

For more information please call our office at (701) 7593766 or the numbers listed below:

Sunday: 11:00am Mandaree.

Transportation Department:

Curtis Hall Sr.: (701) 4211-7907

Michaela Bacon: (701) 421-6715

Page 14.

West S egm ent News April 2021

Mandaree C.A.R.E Center

Photo by LeeAnna Nation Information submitted by Vivian Lone Fight

accudetox and Core Synchronism. We will also hold informational

meetings/gatherings. We work with Tribal departments to offer care

with health and diet, diabetes prevention and care.

“Sacred Tobacco” Resource Center is the late Dustin Irwin’s

Indian name. He is the son of the late Stepanie Irwin and Yazzie

Touchine. Sacred Tobacco resources offers After Care and

evaluations through PRC via zoom and also evaluations via

telehealth through Summit Counseling. Circle of Life will play a role

as soon as they are up and running. The Sacred Tobacco and the

Reign in Your Recovery will provide the necessary recovery

services to assist the clients in freedom from their addiction and

help them reconnect back into society.

“On the Scout”, “Blue Sky Woman” and “Sacred Tobacco” are all

Our Vision: Councilwoman Gladys Sherry Turner-Lone Fight had a vision our young community members who have lost their battle with

for Drug Free communities. Mandaree C.A.R.E. is a product of her vision. addiction. They are not forgotten and are a huge reason why we

She dedicated the building to those who lost the battle with addiction. It

strive to put recovery in motion.

also serves a memoriam for the families still grieving. The staff of the

Mandaree C.A.R.E. worked diligently to create a sober living facility and About us: In the event that an enrolled member is not housed then

recovery resources and outreach that would benefit the one suffering it will be open to members of any federally recognized tribe. If no

from addiction and the families affected. Our belief is if one person is sick

members of a recognized tribe are housed, it will be open to any

then the whole family is sick. Everyone is affected. It is our hope that

Mandaree C.A.R.E. will be influential in making Mandaree a Drug Free race. Our facility is ZERO TOLEREANCE.

Community.

Sliding scale fees will be made available to clients if the need

At the Mandaree C.A.R.E. Center we have four programs set up. On the arises. The fees will not exceed $600 a month or fall below $250 a

Scout Sober Living Lodge, The Sacred Tobacco Resource Center, The month. Donations are accepted. Sponsors can be recognized or

Blue Sky Woman Outreach. All of the names of our programs are named

may remain anonymous.

after our young people who have crossed over and left us to soon

because of drugs and alcohol, they are not forgotten. We want to bring We work with surrounding communities and counties and the State

awareness and education and hopefully prevent a lot of needless deaths. of North Dakota to provide and offer the best resources we can for

We also have Reign in Your Recovery, which is the traditional holistic our clients and the community. We hope to build Drug Free

approach to recovery which entails; sweats, horse therapy, and rocking

recovery the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara way. The sober living will Communities. We also offer support for the family and friends of

house up to four men. The resource center will have programming for the those with any emotional support due to drug and alcohol use.

sober living clients and hold support and recovery meetings for the We are Certified Screening Test Technicians and Certified Drug

community. The Blue Sky woman outreach will raise awareness, and

Screen Collectors and are available for testing at a cost to the

education to the community and work on prevention.

public or private sector. We will be using our services for One the

“On The Scout” was named in memory of the late Lyman Young Bird.

Scout Sober Living Lodge. Grand Opening was on April 15, 2021.

He is also Councilwoman Turner-Lone Fight’s son. On the Scout Sober

Living Lodge consists of a four bed facility and will be available to all C.A.R.E. Compassion, Acceptance, Respect, Empowerment.

enrolled members completing treatment and who are committed to a nine

month stay at a minimum. The sober living lodge will be for males only. It Mandaree CARE CENTER

offers a full kitchen and dining area. A living room and pool table and Community Center Road

exercise equipment.

Mandaree, North Dakota 58757

“Blue Sky Woman Outreach and recovery is named after the late

For more information you may contact the Director, Ms. Vivian Lone

DeRae Mann. She is the daughter of the late Donald “Boy” Mann and

Fight at (701) 421*4631.

Vida Bearstail. Blue Sky Woman Outreach will be assisting in the

community for Drug and Alcohol awareness and prevention and working

with SAMSHA for suicide prevention, underage drinking, and offering

West S egment New s April 2021

Page 15.

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College~Storm offers Support (SOS)

Our new initiative, “Storm Offers Support (SOS): College Knowledge’, started Sunday, 2/7, and runs through May. “Storm” is a nod to the name

of our college’s basketball team. The SOS initiative incorporates 4 main areas of college knowledge for prospective students (middle, high

school, dual credit and GED students) and their families (parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, etc.):

•

College Prep & the Application Process– March Affording College & Financial Aid-February

•

Programs & Registration-April

•

Resources for Student Success-May

The same video will run every Sunday (3pm) and every Wednesday (noon) on our Facebook and will be posted on our website for the whole

month of (February through May). A Question and Answer session will take place via Zoom every Wednesday (12:30-1pm), The Zoom link is:

https://zoom.us/i/97639728260-or you can use your phone to dial in, by calling: +1 312-626-6799 give the Meeting ID # 976 3972 8260.

In addition, SOS: College Knowledge Care Packages with essential information on how prospective students can apply, register and be

successful were distributed to middle and high schools in each of the segments on Fort Berthold, during the first week in February.

We want our MHA Nation to know that NHS College is their college! Please visit our website at www.ndsc.edu and visit our Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/NHSC1973. For more information, please contact Vice President of Student Service, Connie King Gottschall, Ed.D at

cfrank@nhsc.edu or 443-534-5769.

Page 16.

West Segment News April 2021

For Your Information

Spiritual Direction

Mandaree West Segment Community Board

It is virtuous to seek good spiritual direction The public and West Segment personnel are welcome to attend community

and seek wise council in your spiritual life. meetings. Concerns may be expressed through a request to be placed on

Make time for prayer in the day. Set aside a the agenda by contacting the Community Board President or any other

specific time for prayer or spiritual reading. Board member prior to the meeting. A thirty-minute time frame within the

There are many fruitful methods in reading agenda of each regular Board meeting may be collectively designated for

scriptures like Lectio Divina (Latin for that purpose, but the spokesperson, as identified by the special group, shall

“Divine Reading”), a traditional Benedictine be limited to five minutes for each group’s presentation. The Board will

practice of scriptural reading, meditation listen, but will not deliberate the concern during this period. The Board may

and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to refer or make a response in a timely manner. Meetings are set for every 1st

increase the knowledge of God’s word. Other methods are St. Tuesday of the month. Agenda items are due to the board by the 2nd to last

Ignatius’ method of Lord Teach Me to Pray or just reading the Friday of the month before the meeting. Marle Baker: 421-1423 or 759Gospels. Journaling after reading the Gospels is very good, 3179, Kelly Bradfield: 421-7842, Doreen Charging: 421-9384, Tiffany

writing down what comes to your mind. There are websites on Johnson: 421-1489, Olivia Spotted Bear: 421-0161. COVID-19 protocols will

the topic of prayer and spiritual readings at be observed.

CatholicSpiritualDirection.org. Another fruitful practice is to learn Thank you

about the lives of Saints and see how they practiced their faith.

Mandaree West Segment Community Board.

Reading Scriptures and having a prayer time will keep

you close to Christ. Working on your own individual spirituality on

a daily basis will strengthen you on your journey with Christ. It is A Message From The MHA Fish & Wildlife

best to have a Spiritual Director, who is like a sponsor in the AA Good Afternoon,

program, some who lives a spiritual life and has time to work with

you. Spiritual Directors and Sponsors can help you spirituality to We currently do not have any classes scheduled for this spring but plan to

discern what God is telling you, how God is moving you in your have PRIVATE courses taught in each segment over the summer (Juneheart. Spiritual Directors can help us discern Gods will for us in August). We ask that any individuals that are interested in taking a class to

our lives. We need help in this area and having a Spiritual email or call us with the following information:

Director can benefit you greatly. They bring to light the difference Name of Student:

between our own human desire and God’s Will for us.

Contact Phone Number:

Working with a Spiritual Director can help you live a more

faith filled life. You can have a deeper relationship with Christ our Age:

Savior. You can experience the peace of Christ he wishes for us Segment/Location of Class preference (options; New Town, Mandaree, Twin

all. It can help us reflect on what God has done in our lives and Buttes, Four Bears, Parshall, White Shield)

how he has moved us in our life. We can experience spiritual

Contact Email– this will be needed to send a course number and link for

consolation which is a list of things we are grateful to have

registration.

received.

We need each other, we need someone to talk with The minimum age requirement for enrollment is 11— may enroll if 10, but

outside of prayer time to help us on our journey. We should not turns 11 by December 31, 2121.

close ourselves off from each other, the closer we get to each Summer classes are not yet scheduled, but individuals will be contacted

other the closer we get to God.

once dates for each segment location is confirmed. Our private courses will

In our meditation we use our imagination, and in prayer or be at a reduced class size so enrollment will be considered on a first-caller

reading we use our imagination. In the forethought of every basis.

action we take we use our imagination. When we use our

imagination after reading a Gospel, we can put Jesus in the If you have any questions feel free to contact our office.

scene of the Gospel. In our imagination we can see Jesus Thank you

guiding us and with us. Good Spiritual Direction will always direct Three Affiliated Tribes Fish & Game

you toward Jesus!

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1402 New Town, ND 58763

May God Bless you always

Have a great day with Jesus Christ

Physical Address: 325 Main Street New Town, ND 58763

By Deacon James Baker

Office: 701-627-4760

St. Anthony’s Church, New Town

Fax: 701-627-4743

St. Anthony’s Church, Mandaree

Email: game&fish@mhanation.com

Page 17.

West S egment New s April 2021

Ah Gu Gah Naha-Naish “Stands Above” Shares His Story

This young man was raised by a hard

working grandfather, who started the

day at the crack of dawn, then wakes

you up so you can get the chores done.

The chores that he helped his

grandfather with were; stacking bales,

driving a tractor, riding horse to check

on cattle and fixing fences. It didn’t

matter whether it was cold or hot

outside, these chores had to be done.

You would think this young man would

make a good rancher; however, he had other things in mind that

would lead his journey to a better way of living. I am sure he wanted

to be in other professions but once he decided on what he wanted to

do in his life, he did it. He became a doctor.

His name is Doctor Biron Baker. In 2011, I inserted a short article on

Dr. Baker in the, now defunct, Country Roads Chronicles of West

Segment. I am following up on Dr. Baker, who is enrolled member of

the MHA Nation and Mandaree is his home. I wanted our people in

our community to know who this impressive young man is. We all

have a story and I wanted to tell his.

“These white guys will be watching you so you got to get there before

they do and don’t leave until after they’re gone.” Hard work was second

nature to us. When I was eight years old, I was helping stack bales and

the stack had to be perfect. There was a right way to do it and that’s the

way it was done. If you didn’t do it right the first time, then you had to

take it down and do it over again. Because if the stack came apart

sometime during the year or in the winter, it created a mess

everywhere. That’s no way, that is what my grandpa used to say; that’s

no way. Hard work ethics were instilled by my grandpa because that’s

all he knew.

My grandparents lived through the depression, so we grew accustomed

to saving everything. My grandma had those gallon freezer bags after

each use she would wash them out and use them again. She always

had a couple of huge gardens. I learned from my grandma how to lay

out a garden, when to hoe it and when to get your potatoes and corn

out. We had about two acres of potatoes planted and they all went into

our root cellar. Down by the house close to the creek, that’s where she

planted all the other vegetables like; tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce,

radishes, carrots everything you could think of she grew down there.

We started our day out at 6:00am my grandma would have breakfast

already so we ate and we were out the door by 6:30.

In his childhood journey and living with his grandparents, he was

fortunate they both shared so much knowledge with him. “My grandma

was the one who taught me compassion and empathy. I remember what

her words were as she spoke to me; “Try to understand what people are

going through if you’re going to help them. You have to be able to put

yourself in their shoes to feel what they’re feeling. She instilled in me

the softer side of me and she had the same hard work ethics as

grandpa. When there’s more work just keep working. When you run out

of daylight, then you can stop. My grandma taught me the importance

and responsibility of being a senior pallbearer. I remember I was senior

pallbearer for Fannie, when she passed on. It was kind of weird

because I seen Fannie at the BIA in New Town that was in the mid 80’s.

“Ah naw,” she said when she seen me. She pulled my head down so

she could reach my ear, and said to me “You’re going to bury me.” I told

her okay. When she died, they came to see me. Darlene and I don’t

remember who was with her but there was three of them. As far as I

know, I did everything I was suppose to and took care of Fannie the

best way I could. Another thing I was taught was when you’re going

through something like this or when your taking care of somebody like

Biron is the son of Linda Baker. He belongs to the Mi-di-ba-di (Water this or when you’re doing anything. Somebody may come up to you and

Buster Clan) and child of the Metsi-no-ga (Flint Knife Clan). He tell you that you’re doing it wrong.

explains to us why he’s a child of a Flint Knife Clan. “I take my I was told to tell them, I’m doing this the way I was taught. When you

grandpa’s clan as my father’s clan because there’s no father in the say that, they quit. I don’t know if they think they’re trying to help you or

picture. So this is why we selected Byron Brady to give me my name. if they’re just being funny. I tell them; “I thank you for what you have to

Biron was raised by his grandparents, Philip and Delia Montclair say but I’m doing it this way, the way I was taught.” My grandma taught

Baker. They lived out in the country east of Mandaree about twenty me this and when she had give a ways she told me how to do that to,

miles. As we visited, we talked about some valued teachings that he who you give away to first everything, I needed to know, she taught me.

was taught by his grandparents. “My grandma and grandpa gave me Being asked to be the senior pallbearer is an honor and huge

a lot of things, one of the best things I would say came from my responsibility. I give it my all because it’s such a serious matter to me.

His given Indian name is Ah Gu Gah Naha-Naish “Stand Above” was

given to him by Byron Brady at their home out in the country. He

received his Indian name later in his life because his family wanted

him to have a name that would describe what he has done and

where he was going. He was gifted this name after he earned his four

-year degree at UND. He shares with us what he was told about his

Indian name. “Byron came to our home we prayed, then he talked to

me about my name. He said to me “You think about life, going up a

hill and around and over things, through things, going through a lot of

obstacles to get to the top of that hill. You’re not there yet, you’re not

at the top of the hill but going up there. You stand there, you turn

around and look back, you see everything you had to go through.

When you say it in English, it means “Stand Above” because you’re

standing there looking about and you’re not all the way to the top but

you’re standing above a lot of things you had to go through.” Biron

also shared that Bert Yellow Wolf made him a song after he

graduated from Medical school. As Biron says; “the boys know my

song, sometimes I would ask them to sing it for me otherwise they

will forget.”

grandpa. He gave me this hard-work mentality he used to tell me,

Continue on next page.

Page 18.

West Segment New s April 2021

Ah Gu Gah Naha-Naish “Stands Above” Shares His Story

Not to long ago, I went to a wake in New Town, I took some

blankets and a war bonnet. I walked up to the table where the

family was and when I got there this lady was going to take the war

bonnet. I told her “no I will give this to one of the men’ and she said

“oh what do you want me to do with these blankets? I said to her

“when somebody gives something to you, it’s yours to do whatever

you will with it. Its not for me to say what you do with it.” She said

thank you and I said thank you, then I turned around and seen one

of the young men from the family. I told him how sorry I was and

gave him the war bonnet. Now this very thing would not have

happened thirty years ago. There wouldn’t be some uncertainty in

handing off of donations. Things are changing fast this coronavirus

is changing things because today funerals are different.

I said “well we’re going to do it this way,” and they went with it. It was like

they were my sisters instead of my mother and aunties, they acted like my

sisters at the time.

My grandparents raised me they actually went to the Bureau and more or

less adopted me. I saw the paperwork and I never knew that I must’ve

been fifty years old when I seen that paperwork. So if I look at it that way

yeah, those guys are my older brothers then it becomes easier for me to

understand. My uncles and a lot of other male relatives would get after

me if I was messing up, they would not hesitate to chew me out that

doesn’t happen anymore. I got after my sisters kids but I don’t know if

anybody else is doing that. The times I did get after my sister’s kids she

didn’t get mad at me like a lot of other mothers do now. So there was

quite a few male figure relatives who taught me a lot of different things,

Grandma would tell me these are your relatives, you got to know they were all relatives and that’s the way its suppose to be.

your relatives. That’s another thing she taught me know all your

I miss being home because there’s a lot of people at home who don’t

relatives. So this too was a big thing all these things of how they

leave the reservation, so I never see them. The only time I see them is if I

taught me. I was always told there’s things that you do and when

go home. Now that I’m older, when I do go home for a pow wow, I caught

you do them, do it right. You do the best you can and it all applies

myself looking for people that are gone, people who were important to me

to what I do now. I have to do things right for the benefit of the

are just gone. No matter where I was at in school or what I was doing if I

people I am taking care of. Do the best you can and do what you

went to a pow wow, I could find everybody. When I’m there at the pow

were taught.

wow I would spend most of my time catching up with people and visiting

Although Biron spent most of his time with his grandparents, there them.

came a time in his life where he went through some major changes,

Today Biron lives with his wife Sheri in Bismarck. He tell us “I’ve been

such as moving from Mandaree. As he continues to tell us his story.

married over thirty years, we had bumps along the way like everybody

“When I was about fourteen, my mother decided to go back to else does, we are doing pretty good these days. My wife is now retired,

school in Dickinson. I knew I could go with her or stay with out in she was a teacher and administrator at United Tribes here in Bismarck.

the country. When you’re that age, you know being out in the She decided to retire about five years ago. Today I’m just a doctor, I

country would be boring and you want some excitement in your life. decided to work four days a week. We’ve been here in Bismarck on and

So I went to Dickinson with my mother, that place was one of the off since 1993. Presently, I have lived and worked in Bismarck for the past

most red necked places I ever lived. I spent three years there, once twenty years. When we have free time, we like to go to pow wows and

I left, I never went back. It’s funny on the reservation when I got into travel to see places we never seen before or go back to places we

an argument with someone, they would call me a white guy, you already seen.

look white. Then when you leave the reservation, you’re a chief, or

When I retire, we are going to travel more. My wife wants to go to France

you’re any number of names you could imagine so that was a

that kind of surprised me because I always wanted to go to France.

shock for me.

Neither one of use can speak French but they love Indians over there so

We all have people who have influenced us in our life time, those we should be okay. Eventually, we will sell our home in Bismarck. I’m

people we will always remember. As he continues his story he tells trying to talk my wife into putting a house outside of Mandaree out east. I

us those people who influenced him. “I had two uncles that were tell her nobody will bother us or come out there and I think that’s still true.

my disciplinaries, Milton and Lyle. My uncle Milton was the one who Nobody bothers my mother, she’s way out there. So I am thinking that is

had a harsher form of discipline and with Lyle it was a completely what I will do. I think to myself, why am I that way, wanting a place away

different form of discipline. I could count on him to reason with me. from everything. Then I found out a long time ago, that traditionally the

With Milton, it was cut and dried, he would say to me; you messed healers kept to themselves, they stayed away from everybody until they

up, this is what you do, so this is what we’re going to do about it. I were needed. So I thought to myself that must be the way it goes. So

don’t want to come down here again and have talk with you. That’s when I do come home, I am going to be retired. Daily life for us isn’t so

the old way of how it was done, your uncles were your hard anymore, I work four days a week and we have three day weekends

disciplinaries, so these two guys had a lot of influence on me. off all the time. It’s really nice I’m not on call and I don’t go to the hospital

Because my grandparents raised me Milton and Lyle could be my anymore. I really cut back on what I do and that gives me more time to

older brother because Linda is my mother, those are her brothers, focus on other things. I try to educate these mashee guys that we are

they would also be my uncles, which is the white way. When my decent good people, they don’t have to be afraid of us, they don’t have to

grandma died, these three women, Helen, Ethel and my mother all think of us as drunks. I’ve been trying to educate them since I got here.

told me I was in charge of all her arrangements.

Throughout anyone’s lifetime we all know things happen to us and for

Page 19.

West S egment New s April 2021

Ah Gu Gah Naha-Naish “Stands Above” Shares His Story

some of us those things that happen

we don’t always understand. Biron

shares with us his main reason for

becoming a doctor. As Biron continues

his story. “The care that I received and

the health care my family received at

the Indian Health clinics has to be

better.” I thought to myself anybody

can do better, I could do better. I had

this idea of being a doctor when I was

in the 7th grade. Then it went away

because something happens in junior

high, I don’t know what it is but its true. Even on different

reservations something makes you decide that you can’t be a

doctor, that’s not for you or you can’t do that. You can be a

mechanic, a welder or you can join the military so those are the

things you can do but you can’t be a doctor. Nobody ever told me

that. I was visiting with a buddy of mine from Standing Rock, he's

an older guy about fifteen years older than me. He had the same

experience it was in junior high where certain things were closed

off to him. So that’s bias in our education system it’s inherent, it’s

insidious and sneaky nobody should ever say those words to you.

They said those words to my mother, when she was in typing class

in high school. A teacher said to her; you guys are all Indians don’t

you forget that. That was in Flandreau. So that feeling of being a

doctor went away for a while and that feeling didn’t come back until

I was in college at UND. I took a difficult biology course and I did

well in it. So I thought well maybe I can do this so that’s when the

idea of me being a doctor came back.

Throughout his journey, Biron had gone through a lot just because

he was a doctor now it didn’t make it any easier simply because he

got treated like everybody else. Especially when you’re away from

home and decide to come back. “When I did go home, I was a

tribal employee, I wasn’t Indian Health Service, I found out then

there was a political element to your job and I didn’t like that. So I

had to try to explain things to the council, it’s hard to teach

somebody something when they think they already know it better

than you do. I found myself repeatedly telling them and they didn’t

believe me. I told the council what reason would I have to lie to

you. I’m from here, and some of you are my relatives, my friends

and family use this clinic. There was never an answer to that. It

was hard for me to put up with that because there were things we

needed to do to make the clinics better but those guys stood in the

way. After a while, I just couldn’t do this anymore and on my worst

day that I was having I got a call from Med Center One. They

wanted to hire me and I told them I owed some time to the Indian

Health Service, and they told me not to worry about that and said

we got it. So Med Center One bought out the rest of my contract. I

was in for thirty nine months out of forty eight so I was nine months

shy. Med Center One found out how much the amount was and

they paid it off. I thought to myself, wow they must really want me

to work there so I worked pretty hard for them.

Then of course like all things

happen they started to change. I

then decided I didn’t want to be a

part of it. So I pulled out and got

my own practice and that’s been

good now for the past ten years. I

always thought the ability to

function in both worlds was more of

an advantage than a disadvantage,

I think any one of us can learn it.

When you first leave home, it’s

really hard to be away. The

loneliness and the desolation. I

missed the land and the people, I

would go home on weekends on a

Thursday and come back on a

Tuesday, you know that’s how bad

it was for me. So that part is hard but if somebody can get to where they

understand this world than they can go back and fourth then it’s okay.

There’s always a balance in life to everything like positive and negative, so

with in mind, Biron shares with us in his journey of the positive and the

negative living where he is now. “For the negative part for me being a

doctor, I would say for me, about half of time when I ran into a colleague,

they would test me.” They wanted to know what I knew, so they would get

me to talk about something to see if I was good enough. I knew they were

doing that too because some of them think if you went through the IMED

program that you would not have gotten through medical school.

Otherwise, they looked at you as an imposter. So I had to prove myself to

all of them. I did whether or not they said anything to me so by the time I

was done working with whoever this was, maybe they don’t like me but

they had to respect me. This all goes back to what my grandpa told me he

said; you outwork those white guys maybe they won’t like you but they will

respect you because that’s what they respect.

As for positives, those attitudes come from my patients, sometimes they

come in and they just want to talk about things. Some of my patients we

have a lot of fun with because they have known me for years. This one

woman was telling me her hips hurt but she didn’t want surgery. I said

“well, you can do some stretches lay on your back and I’ll show you, bring

one leg up and then bring the other leg up then hold your knees to your

chest. That’s one stretch, now the other one you got to lay like a shaaga,

“here she said what the heck is a shaaga. I told her it’s a frog then she

started giggling. She really thought that was funny and she put her legs

out like that and said like this? I said “yes, now you’re a shaaga.” She

laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes. So things like this come out

after patients get to know me. My nurse is a little white girl from Napoleon,

she got to the point now where she’s recognizing where the Indians are

from based on their last names. She knows if we have someone from

Standing Rock or Fort Berthold. We had one patient in from Fort Berthold

and that patient was going to get a shot. This patient asked her where that

shot was going to be administered and she told them “it’s going in your

oshie” and their eyes get big and they started laughing.

Continue on next page.

West S egment New s April 2021

Page 20.

Ah Gu Gah Naha-Naish “Stands Above” Shares His Story

Sometimes I’ll be praying, burning sage,

and cleaning the clinic and all my

employees understand what I’m doing

and why I’m doing it and they’re okay

with it. They feel good about it and

sometimes they smell sweetgrass and

ask me what’s wrong, and I tell them

nothing is wrong sometimes I do this

because I’m happy and grateful. I have

all these mashees working for me that

have to understand me as opposed to

the other way around. I used to call this

Indianization where you get the mashees

hanging around long enough than they

start to catch on.

trusted source for the identification of Top Doctors. Their physician-led

research team reviews and screens the credentials of tens of thousands

of physicians who are nominated by their peers annually, via a

nationwide online process, before selecting those physicians who are

regionally or nationally among the very best in their medical specialties.

Castle Connolly believes strongly that Top Doctors Make a Difference.

Patients Choice Award for the years of (2014, 2015, 2016). Patients

Choice Recognition reflects the difference a particular physician has

made in the lives of his/her patients. The honor is bestowed to physicians

who have received near perfect scores, as voted by patients.

Compassionate Doctor Recognition for the years of (2014, 2015, 2016).

Compassionate Doctor certification is granted to

physicians who treat their patients with the utmost

kindness. They honor is granted based on a

physicians overall and bedside manner scores. On–

Time Doctor Award (2014,2016) which recognizes

doctors with consistent high ratings for timeliness of

appointments. As you can see, to your left is another

award he recently received in 2019. Dr. Baker

received the Top Doctor For Family Medicine.

My patients mix is pretty diverse, I have Indians, motorcycle guys,

to rich people. I have quite a few Indians from Standing Rock and

Fort Berthold. They come from New Town, Twin Buttes, and

Mandaree. I always tell them that’s a long drive but I’m glad to see

you and that’s the first thing I tell them. Right now I have eight

employees working for me, I don’t have any other doctors. I have a

Dr. Baker is truly in a league of his own. He has his

Physician Assistant and myself, we both see patients and take care

own style and unique ways of communicating with

of them so things are going pretty well. I’ve had this clinic now for

his patients. His sense of humor is awesome. He has

the past ten years as it turns out, I felt like I should have done this a

shared an unseen part of himself and shared what

long time ago. Because you know if something goes wrong it’s my

he holds close to his heart in being raised by his

fault, and if I want to holler at somebody, I’d have to look at the guy

grandparents. There was so much more that he shared with the West

in the mirror. So far everything is good.

Segment News. Unfortunately, it wouldn't all fit in these pages.

In closing Biron shares his advice. “I like to think that anyone of us

is capable of doing anything that’s good when you chose something On behalf of the West Segment News I would like to thank Dr. Baker for

good say you want to help people. You will always have a job and sharing his young life journey that he shared about being raised by his

this job will never go away. So if somebody is thinking about the grandparents. Then sharing his doctoring journey with us as well. It was

medical field in Mandaree if they want to be a doctor go for it. If you an honor for me to visit such a knowledgeable and impressive young

want to be a nurse, go for it. Nurses are in high demand there’s a man with a great sense of humor. I am very proud of him being a Doctor

huge shortage now and they’re bringing all these foreigners over and I am more proud to say Mandaree is his home.

because we don’t have enough nurses. So why can’t Indians fill

that void. That’s the way I see it. I always think things will start to The Baker Family Medicine Clinic is located at 4401 Coleman St. #107 in

turn around too because we all realize all we have is each other. Bismarck, North Dakota. The letters below you will see on his clinic

Maybe people will conclude to that and start to make communities, stands for Biron Baker Family Medicine.

organizations and societies, things we can be proud of and work

together. So I’m optimistic, I have to be in my job. If there’s anybody

that thinks they can’t do something, they should talk to me,

because I did things the hard way.

Throughout his career, Doctor Baker, has earned many awards and

recognitions. In the last year of residency, the North Dakota

Academy of Family Physicians awarded him the William F.

Buckingham outstanding resident of the year. Since then, he has

worked for the Indian Health Service, Med Center One Health

Systems, St. Alexius Medical Center. Biron is board-certified and is

a fellow with the American Board of Family Medicine. In his

doctoring journey, he received the following four awards; Castle

Connolly Regional Top Doctors. Castle Connolly is America’s

West S egment New s April 2021

Page 21.

For Your Information

MHA Emergency Operations Center

All of Fort Berthold is under a Burn Ban with Fire Danger

rated at Very High with a Red Flag Warning as of 4/2/21.

This means that fire conditions are such ANY fires that

ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control or

suppress. Please see the Fire Danger Guide on the below

link for more detailed information on restrictions. https://

ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger-maps

Mandaree Intake Road Is Used As Dumping Area

Photo by LeeAnna Nation

In addition to this, due to all the grassfires occurring in

elevated frequency throughout the state, Governor Burgum

has issued a Statewide Fire Emergency (Executive Order

2021-07). With wildfires, there is also a public health

concern: Older adults, pregnant women, children, and

people with preexisting respiratory (such as asthma) and

heart conditions (high blood pressure, A-Fib, Angina ect,)

may be more likely to get sick and experience immediate

health problems if they breathe in wildfire smoke. It is

recommended these groups avoid smoke exposure as much

as possible. You may stop by the MHA EOC Monday-Friday This should be the last place for people to dump their trash. This

8:00am-5:00pm CST where you can pick up copies of is the Intake Road where our water comes in from. West Segment

had a fenced area where these type of items and trash can go. It is

guides and other resources.

disheartening to see that chairs, beds or other items being placed

The ECO will maintain situational monitoring of the where ever there’s a bare spot.

current fire weather conditions in coordination with local

Wildland Fire and Fire/Rescue. Should any emergencies

occur that have a high probability of threatening property

and human life, Wireless Emergency Alerts along with

Tribal Email, Various Community Social Media Pages,

(KMHA 91.3), Emergency Services, Sirens, and other

current resources will be used to send emergency

notifications. Sharing this information out would be greatly

appreciated. Any questions, please ask.

In Service

Emily Sitting Bear, Director

MHA Emergency Operations Center

603 1st St. N New Town, ND 58763

Cell: 701-421-2954

Office: 701-627-7300

Email: esittingbear@mhanation.com

Fax: 701-627-4733

Here is another picture showing all the trash and waste that has

been dumped on the Intake Road. This is not a dumping area.

We hope to bring some awareness to those dumping in this area.

Please put your trash or big items at the dump station we have in

Mandaree located behind the Mandaree Elders’ building.

Page 22.

West S egment New s April 2021

Local & Surrounding Area Directory

Boys & Girls Club Branch Manager: Olivia: 759-3049 or 627-4415

MHA Motor Carriers Continue:

Catholic Church Father Roger Synek: 759-3412 or 627-4423

Dane Fox: 421-1695

Mandaree Clinic: 759-3422 Fax: 759-3209

New Town Tribal Enrollment office: 627-4238

Mandaree Clinic Pharmacy: 759-3151 or Fax: 759-3181

New Town Tribal Security: 627-0686

Circle of Life: Director: Nellie Boyd: 627-4700 Fax: 627-4105

Mandaree Water Hauler: 759-3377 or 421-0458

Mandaree Elder’s Meal Site: 759-3092

Mandaree Water Treatment Plant: 759-3160 or Fax: 759-3199

Head Cook: Pamela Fox

New Town Animal Control: 627-2654

Assistant Cook: Teressa Fox

Delia Baker: 421-5214

Delivery/Helper: Brad Howe

Travis McCabe: 421-3095

Monica Nagel Henry: Helper/transporter

Emergency or Ambulance: 911

Mandaree Elders Program: 759-3092

For Mandaree Non-Emergency: Antoinette Kitagawa: 421-1361 or

421-1357

Elder’s Care: Nina Finley Newman

Aging Services: Director: Polly Chase: 421-0905

Aging Services Main Office New Town: 627-4913

NHSC Mentor’s Office: 759-3545 or Fax: 759-3528

New Town NHSC College: 627-4738

Mandaree Fire Management: Marle Baker: 759-3124 or cell: 4211423

Little Plume Head Teacher 1: 759-3369

Mandaree Post Office: 759-3370

Mandaree Roads Dept: 759-3420

Director Mandaree Roads Dan Hall: 421-7958

Donald Young Bird: 421-7534

Mandaree One Stop: 759-3609

Mandaree School Numbers:

Bus Garage: 759-3395

Business Office: 759-3120

Main School Office: 759-3311

New Town Tribal Office: 627-4781

TAT Fitness Recreational Specialist: Tia Mandan: 421-0239 or

tiamandan@mhanation.com

McKenzie County Sheriff: 444-3654

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

TAT CHR Main Office in New Town: 627-4240

New Town Tribal Court: 627-4803 or Fax: 627-4602

Tex Fox Justice Center: 627-3500

TAT Utilities: 627-5291

TAT Solid Waste Mandaree Transfer Station: 759-3614

Contact Patrick Dubois: 421-0143 Hours: M-F 7am-6pm

Saturday: 8am-4:30 pm

Sunday: Closed.

TAT Mortgage Program: 627-2560

Game Warden: Bradfield Sage: 421-6977

Beuford Joe: 421-1233

TAT Police Dept: 627-3617 or 1-800-952-7923

Chief of Police 627-3617 ext. 3

Mandaree MHA DOT Dispatch Operations: 759-3576

* North Dakota Travel Information service dial 511. When dialing

out of North Dakota for weather /road conditions you can dial: 1866-696-3511.

Motor Carriers:

Economic Development: Carson Hood

Matthew Yellow Wolf: 421-8676

Economic Development Assistant: Rosie Johnson:

Michael Blacksmith: 421-5651

West Segment Liaison BIA Roads Lloyd Vigen

Ricardo Villagrana: 421-9121

Fargo Outreach Specialist Jolene Gonzales: 421-6200

Denver Spotted Bear: 421-3124

Fargo Outreach: 701-478-6811 Fax: 701-478-6818

Thomas Fredericks: 421-3064

Please read: Some numbers have changed some removed. Some

of the names changed. Please post this so you can find what

numbers you need. Thank you for being a good reader.

Elbowoods Health Center: 627-4701

Jocko Frank: (701) 550-6797

Rylan Howling Wolf: (701) 805-5628

Page 23.

West S egment News Ap ril 2021

West Segment Employee Directory

Councilwoman Turner-Lone Fight: 421-9820

Chief of Staff: Kevin Finley: 421-6399

Mandaree Elders Building Custodian: Ken White Lightening:

ext.213

Executive Admin.Assistant: Jodi Finley: 421-2011

West Segment Education Specialist: Sandy Young Bird 421.1754

CEO West Segment: Regina Yeahquo: 421-4611

West Segment Transportation Office: 759-3766

West Segment Fire Chief: Marle Baker: 421-1423

West Segment Transportation Receptionist: Michaela Bacon: 4216715

New Town Office Admin: Florene Halvorson/Colleen Halvorson: 627- IT Director: Aaron Abbey: 421-5076

8202

West Segment Transportation Specialist: Curtis Hall Sr.: 421-7907

Water Chief Hall Receptionist: 759-3377 ext. 206

Loretta Lone Bear Cell: 421-5510

West Segment Security Director: James Johnson: 421-9732

West Segment Fitness Center Specialist: Angela Stiffarm: 4211091

Security Receptionist: Rhonda Hall: 421-0547

Fitness Coordinator: Santos Casarez: 759-3780 Fitness Hours: 9am9pm Monday—Friday

Security Officers:

West Segment Events Department: Lindsey Fox: 421-6347

Robin Hall: 421-4599

Lorraine Howe: 421-3835

Benner White Owl: 421-3122

Recreation Coordinator Merrill Howling Wolf: 421-9078

Steven Good Bird: 421-4573

West Segment Cultural: Marbella Lone Fight: 421-2789

Frank Bear Claw: 421-0700

Cultural Coordinator: Roni Stiffarm: 421-2255

Hidatsa Housing Specialist: Shanna Fox: 421-6205

Cultural Coordinator: Aaron Abbey: 421-5076

Jason White Owl Sr.

Language Specialist: Lila Gwin 421.6605

Norman Standish

Carol Newman

Hidatsa Housing Office: 759-3399 Hours by Appt. Only.

Martha Bird Bear

Time Keeper Supervisor: Hailey Abbey: 421-7819

Mary Yellow Wolf—Gachupin

Sunshine Halvorson: 421-9127

Land & Livestock Director: Ted Lone Fight III: 421-2481

Colleen Halvorson: 627-8202

Land & Livestock receptionist: Renay Brown 759-3978

West Segment Maintenance Specialist: Sam White Owl: 421-9170

Main Number: 759-3377 Ext. 209 & 219

Minot Outreach Director: Dusty Jackson: 701-839-3645 Fax: 701839-0835

Receptionist: Michaela Bacon: 421-6715

Bismarck Outreach Specialist: Leah Black Hawk: 651.0683

West Segment Maintenance Workers:

Assistant : Sharron Lone Fight: 751.0456

Ervin Halvorson Sr. 421-3257

West Segment Facebook page: LeeAnna Nation: 421-1868 or

Jordan Mann: 421-9214

Ervin Halvorson Jr. 421-5738

Julius Halvorson: 421-8093

Tyrell Halvorson: 421-4518

West Segment News Editor: Lovina Fox: lovinafox@mhanation.com

West Segment News Assistant: LeeAnna Nation: 421-1868

Jeremy Wounded Face: 421-3979

Wade Hunts Along: 421-6965

West Segment CARE Recovery Center Director: Vivian Lone Fight:

421-4631 Assistant Kyle Mandan 421. 0643

West Segment Health Dept: 759-3377 ext. 203

West Segment Health Director: Cathy Lone Fight: 421-5525

West Segment Custodian Supervisor Rosie White Owl: 421-9450

*Keep in mind some cell numbers are not listed because they are

personal cell and not tribal cell phones. Some of these numbers

may have been moved to page 22. So if you can’t find the number

you are looking for please look on page 22. Some workers have

yet to get a tribal cell number as soon as we know it will be

posted. Thank you for being a good reader.

Page 24.

West S egment New s April 2021

Over grazed Dry Pastures in Our Area

Photos by LeeAnna Nation

This is on route 12 as you can see we finally have some moisture.

If you look closely you see the water tower in Mandaree. We hope

to get more moisture our land needs it. Our land is very dry.

This photo shows how over grazed this pasture is and it shows how dry

our land is. This photo was taken on BIA route 17. With this very type of

over grazed pastures one spark can take out many acres of land. We all

need to heed the fire bans by the state of North Dakota and Red Flag

warnings our own MHA Emergency Operations Center in New Town. Due

to high winds, and the lack of moisture in and around our area, all

residents are encouraged to be very vigilant in preventing any wildfires.

Happy Birthday Wishes to Our

Elders!

Wanda Sheppard

Veronica Serdahl

Ethan Hall

Claryca Mandan

Donna Standish

Sheila Jenner

Eldora Poitra

Here is a photo of the landscape of the badlands here in the Mandaree

area. This picture also shows how dry our land is. Usually its grass turning

green, not in this case, its all yellow and very dry. Stay vigilant and careful.

* Please forgive us if we forgot to mention your

name, it was not done intentionally.