Fort Peck MiWe Project

04/08/2016

04/07/2016

Meet Ona Windchief our Research Visitor with the Miwe Project

Hello! Let me introduce myself to those of you that do not know me! My name is Ona Cox Windchief, I am an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Montana. I was born here in Wolf Point, MT and raised by my maternal grandparents, George Sr. and Clara Red Eagle Blount.
My grandparents grew up in the boarding school era and therefore did not raise me to be bi-lingual. They did not want me to suffer the hardships they did because they spoke their native tongue. I did go on the Mormon Placement Program in the late 60's early 70's in the great state of Washington. I did graduate from Meadowdale Senior High in 1973. Back then, it was the Chiefs, now it is the politically correct Mavericks. I did attend Brigham Young University for 2 1/2 years and came back to the Fort Peck Reservation. I then went to work for the Fort Peck Tribal Courts as a Juvenile Officer. I then moved to Utah for 2 years and worked at Intermountain Indian School. Upon moving back I went to work for the Tribal Courts this time as Clerk of Court. I was then offered a job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, so in October of 1986 I went to work there as a Secretary. I eventually moved up the ladder slowly and ended my career there as a Social Service Representative in January 2014.
It was during this time with the Bureau I saw many changes. My family and I even tried the foster parenting route. It was a heart breaking and at the same time it taught me many things about myself. I learned that I can indeed bounce back after set backs in your life. Many people have come and gone in my life and I have learned som**hing from them all.
The time spent in the social service field was fulfilling yet I oft times felt there was more I could have done. I felt it was time to move on, m**h had reared its ugly head here on the Fort Peck Reservation and felt so ill equipped to be in this field.
I am employed with the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program as a Recruitment and Research Visitor. It is indeed very challenging and am enjoying this new job.
When I am not here I enjoy spending time with my family. I have been with my partner, Chris for 38 years , 39 in August. We together have raised my sister, Sarelle, my nephew Claine and daughter Marit Joy. Chris is a retired elementary school teacher. We have also have two dogs, Gus and Sin. They are a full time job for Chris. I enjoy watching sports and reading.

03/22/2016

Meet Raine Adams, our PFR specialist:

Hello my name is Raine Adams. My Assiniboine name is (Amacbiya Odabi Wiya) Many Clouds Woman. I am a member of the Wadopana Clan (Canoe Paddlers). My Mother Tessie Horse Capture Adams is a member of the Gros- Ventre tribe located on the Fort Belknap reservation. My dad Elmer Adams ( Assiniboine) was the Fire Keeper with the Wadopana clan.

I am on the Board of Silver Wolf, serving the Assiniboine people. I received my AA and AAS in Chemical Dependency and Human Services from the Fort Peck Community College. I finished my BA in Community Service at Native American Education Center in Chicago, Ill. I have a License Addiction Certificate from the State of Montana. My interest is centered on Faith Based work. I have worked with the Alcohol and Drug Court on the Fort Peck reservation.

I also have a back ground in Foster Care with the State of Missouri, working with a diverse population.

I now serve as a PFR Specialist with the Miwe Project on the Fort Peck reservation. It is a research project that is currently collecting information to see if this program works with Native American families. I enjoy working with the many different tribal caretakers and their children throughout the Fort Peck Reservation.

Pinamaya!

03/14/2016

Meet Mylene, Our PFR Specialist :)

I was born in Billings Montana and had the great fortune to be raised within two closely knit extended families. I was raised according to Apsaalooke' custom by my Crow/Cree grandmother who was very close to my paternal grandmother so I had the lots of time between both my Kaala and Kookum. I am a child of the Ties In Bundle Clan and was named by my clan grandmother, Myrtle Smart Enemy. I traveled often with my Cree-Crow grandmother to visit our relatives in Rocky Boy and Hobbema, Canada. I have 2 adult daughter who are licensed professional in their chosen careers. My youngest daughter will be graduating from Bozeman High School and will be heading off to college in the Fall. I spend every moment I can with them and my two granddaughters and one grandson. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Montana State University. I have completed all my MSW coursework and practicum training with Walla Walla University. I have worked in a variety of roles with families including: family preservation & reunification, children’s mental health and victim advocacy services. I have worked for over 15 years in a variety of agencies from tribal, state, federal and non-profits. I was appointed by Governor Schweitzer to serve on the Children’s Trust Fund Board before serving as a consultant on program evaluation and serving as an expert witness providing court testimony on ICWA cases for the Crow, Chippewa-Cree and Turtle Mountain Tribes.

12/29/2015

This is an invite to any agency that provides services to adults and youth ages 0-17, that live on or near the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The HPDP program will be hosting a "Healthy Communities" event each month beginning on January 14 from 3-6pm in Fort Kipp at the Activity Center.

Refreshments will be Served. Contributions are welcomed.
If you are interested in Setting up a Booth please contact Shannon Dionne or Ona Windchief @ 768-3052/3053
Please Respond at your earliest convenience

12/18/2015

We are planning an outreach event in every community this spring! we are starting off in Fort Kipp in January, please stay tuned for more information! HPDP will set up with their programs and informations.

12/09/2015

Miwe Project will be set up @ the FPCC library for the Book for Babies if you want to learn more about the program. We pay you $50 per research visit just for you helping the study out! Have openings this week. Come visit Mylene today from 10-1130

11/02/2015

Know Anyone who has a child age 10-24 months who could use a $50 gift card to Shopko or Walmart this week, to get started on Christmas shopping? Call the 800 and we'll schedule you for this week!! Thanks!