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Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes Fort Peck P. L. 102-477 Workforce Development Programs P. 0. Box 1027 Poplar, 59255~------

U.S. Department of the Interior s C/J/J 1..fJ) .fh/L 7 0 Division of Self-Determination K~J Utltti,i,ct'f Office of Indian Services 1849 C Street, NW MS-4513-MIB , DC 20240

ATIN: Mr. Terrance Parks, Chief DEC 2 3 2015 RE: Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes Fort Peck Indian Reservation Burea u of In di an Attairs Annual Program Narrative, Statistical and Financial Report Office of \r. o • Sf: ril : .... s Contract No. BIA A14AV00102 Federalfrribal Program Year (PY) 2015 (Duration: 10/01/14 - 09/30/15)

Dear Mr. Parks:

The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana ("Fort Peck

Tribes") ("Tribes") ensuing P. L. 102-477 Program Year (PY) 2015 (10/01/14 -09/30/15) annual program Narrative, Statistical and Financial Report has been prepared. It is hereby submitted to the U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Division of Self-

Determination, Office of Indian Services. Most importantly, we convey the ensuing manuscript

and summarized information for grantee (Fort Peck Tribes) compliance with specific terms and conditions of approved U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs'/Fort Peck

Tribes' P. L. 102-477 federal financial assistance award Contract No. A14AV00102. ~-~~-4~~>1.;·~;~ / _. .. t ~-:.. ·~~~ £ ;_(, ' - . -~ ' . - 4 ~ • • : ... - '-: _ ,::-J~-·1,\

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Our PY ' 15 progress report briefly illustrates and summarizes respective programmatic

operational information and data which articulates the scope and extent of activity

accomplishments and outcomes attained during our P. L. 102-477 program operation.

Our approved Fort Peck Indian Reservation P. L. 102-477 Native American geographical

service area is confined within the extreme northeast portion of the State of Montana.

Unfortunately, as a result of our historical U. S. Governmentally designated physical location, it

remains our foremost opinion that the Fort Peck Indian Reservation is undoubtedly situated in

the most rural and desolate portions of the State of Montana and the United States of America.

Primarily in lieu of this unfortunate "extemality," the Fort Peck Tribes are perpetually

confronted by deprived environments, unmitigated and exacerbated situations which inhibit

aspired social, human, economic progress and measurable attainment of desired sustainability.

From a contemporary perspective and similar to situations within a majority of the Nation's

federally recognized Indian Reservations, the Fort Peck Tribes possess substandard capacity

necessary for occurrence of prudent development. A portion of our rationale which accurately

supports this assertion is offered in the following most recent, available and summarized Fort

Peck Tribal labor force and Reservation data:

An excerpt from the April, 2010 Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Peck Reservation's

"Labor Force Estimate Report" indicated that the Fort Peck Reservation, during the noted

timeframe, possessed an approximate 56.5% Native American unemployment rate. CVVe are of

the opinion that this percentage remains more accurate than Tribal data contained in the more Page 03of35 recent domestic American Community Survey (ACS.)) Also, associated data obtained from the

October 13 , 2 13 edition of the State of Montana, Department of Commerce' s "Fort Peck

Reservation, Demographic and Economic Information" brochure illustrates a U. S. Bureau of

Indian Affairs comparable unemployment rate of 53.50% for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation

In addition, ubiquitous poverty continues to afflict Fort Peck Indian Reservation livelihood and desired growth. Data from the 2010 U. S. Census excruciatingly depicts a Fort Peck

Indian Reservation striking unresolved poverty rate of a!Jproximately 49% ~ Current application of this statistic indicates that today, at least one in every two Fort Peck Reservation Native

American residents continues to be crushed by the crippling grip of poverty which inhibits upward mobility.

Furthermore, the Fort Peck Reservation's previously illustrated 49% unemployment rate reinforces the dubious fact that our poor Fort Peck Indian Reservation Native American residents are among the more deprived population groups within the United States of America.

Moreover, the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and its economy are confronted by a population which has a faster growth rate and a younger median age, possess~s people with fewer academic degrees and higher school dropout rates, has a larger percentage of people who continue to rely on subsidized public assistance, higher pregnancy and controlled substance abuse rates, reliance on au unstable public sector driven Tribal economy, a very minimal Native American private sector, lower per capita income, inferior wages, a relatively large and unprepared labor force, an exorbitant "joblessness" rate, lower housing values, etc. Page 04of35

In lieu of the stagnant Fort Peck Indian Reservation socio-economic situation, the scope of our currently approved P. L. 102-477 Plan of Operation and its accomplishments, our annual narrative, statistical and financial report is presented and articulated within the concept of

integrated and focused "Workforce Development." The purpose of "workforce development" is

to assist eligible Native Americans in resolving impacting economic impediments, to develop

initial capacity, receive essential direct/indirect support for eventual procurement and

maintenance of unsubsidized contemporary employment.

Within the previously illustrated context, our workforce development approach includes, but

is not limited to: Provision of allowable opportunity to eligible Native Americans to pursue and

acquire contemporary postsecondary academic/vocational education, adult basic education,

customized/short-term job training, on-the-job training, work experience training, supportive

services assistance, 'information and referral', etc. In support of these concentrated efforts,

subordinate activities include: Pre-employment education and training; Remedial training; Job

development, procurement and placement; Incumbent worker training/retraining and; Provision

of supportive/follow-up assistance.

In compliance with annuall reporting requirements, our PY '15 Fort Peck Tribal P. L.

102-477 narrative report has been drafted is presented and summarized in the following

"Adult, Youth and Other" categorical components:

ADULT:

This portion of our P. L. 102-477 annual narrative report briefly summarizes and conveys

adolescent progress achieved during our PY '14 program operational year: Page 05 of35

Comprehensive Services Program (CSP) component.

1. Economic Development:

Primarily as a result of the U. S. Government's geographical positioning of the area in extremely isolated Northeast Montana, the undeveloped and dependent status of the Fort Peck

Indian Reservation economy and livelihood have been and remain largely contingent on agricultural production and indigenous resource development. Within this scenario, hydrocarbon based Tribal natural resource development, impacted by regional development, have created unpredictable "boom and bust" cycles which resonate daily throughout the Tribal economy.

Virtually all of the associated raw Tribal outputs are not internally utilized and, therefore, marketed off the Reservation. From these transactions, the Fort Peck Reservation economy is, for the most part, classified as natural resource based, export driven and significantly impacted by external transaction (ie., global economics, energy pricing and governmental policy) over which the Tribes have not control. For example, when external demand for Fort Peck exports decline, scarce employment opportunities are forfeited, Tribal and personal income diminishes, spending decreased and negatively associated "multiplier" effects become prevalent. Thus the demand for Fort Peck Indian Reservation resources reciprocally impacts wealth and other lesser but equally important Native American entrepreneurial transactions/aspirations. Also, due to previously successful and non-invigorated Fort Peck Tribal contract product manufacturing activities with the U. S. Government-a proven and extremely important Tribal economic segment-the Reservation's inferior economic difficulties are compounded by excess capacity, idle resources and other depressing indicators. From this additional transaction, the foundational Page 06 of 35

Fort Peck Indian Reservation economy is also classified as supplier-and not "demand" driven.

In addition, the unproductive Fort Peck Tribal economy possesses excessive and undeveloped labor capacity, excessive joblessness, scarcity of capital, is confronted by low wages and shortage of meaningful employment opportunity. Furthermore, the Fort Peck Tribes are not properly integrated into the thriving local, regional, domestic and worldwide economies.

The Fort Peck Indian Reservation's contemporary strategic economic development process serves to identify, inventory and feasibly apply tangible and non-tangible resources, both 'Trust' and 'Tribally owned', to produce marketable good and services. To stimulate this effort, identification and procurement of external economic opportunity assistance are utilized. Anticipated out~omes include: Attaining measurable progress towards meeting adopted

Fort Peck Tribal mission and goal statement3, increased Tribal wealth and personal responsibility, progressively decreased poverty and measurable im;:>rnvements within other substandard Reservation environme::-i ts.

To help meet the pr~ or Fort Peck Tribal aspirations, our P. L. 102-477 program continues to provide quality economic support, analysis, human resource development ass· stance, etc. to existing Fort Peck tribal economic ope ations and private entities. Within this effort, we strive to provide introductory occupational skills training, employability development assistance and eventual procurement of unsubsidized employment opportunity within respective entities to economically impacted and disadvantaged Native American members of the Fort Peck

Reservation area labor force. Page 08 of 35

1. Fort Peck Tech Services, Inc. (FPTS)

In 2001, the Tribally owned and operated Fort Peck Tech Services, Inc. commenced successor cperation to the now defunct A & S Diversified, Inc. As illustrated in its subsequently issued Fort Peck Tribal charter and expired U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Section

'8a' Small and Disadvantaged Business status, FPTS functions as a proven contract product manufacturer/refurbisher to complete precise machining fabrication of products and quality components for targeted regional enterprises and the U. S. Government.

Currently FPTS provides and completes precision machining of components and associated

product refurbishment services to regional "Bakken" based hydrocarbon exploration and

development companies located in Northwest and Northeast Montana. Also, to a

lesser extent, the enterprise continues to provide comparable assistance to areawide private

entrepreneurs and the U. S. Government. These efforts serve to stabilize Fort Peck Tech

Services, Inc.' s operation and offer additional opportunity to the Tribal labor force.

In subsequent efforts to procure and prepare individuals for employment, the Fort Peck Tech

Services, Inc. commenced efforts to prepare additional individuals for placement into machining

oriented employment. To help the enterprise in preparing prospective individuals for

employment with the Fort Peck Tech Services, Inc. our P. L. 102-477 program, during the

operating year, provided one individual with Supportive Services Assistance (SUS) for use in

acquiring and maintaining unsubsidized employment. Also, we provided Classroom Training

Program (CRT) assistance to two CRT participants. We are pleased to report that each

participant successfully completed a structured 148 hour Machining occupational skills training Page 09of35 curriculum, received a Certificate of Machining Training completion and consideration for eventual placement into unsubsidized employment.

2. West Electronics, Inc.

West Electronics, Inc., since 1968, has been another established Tribally owned and operated small business contract product manufacturing enterprise. Throughout the ensuing decades of its operation, the company, in compliance with its originally chartered purpose, provided proven contract production and assembly oriented services to the U.S. Government and private economic sectors. Over ensuing decades of operation, these activities allowed the enterprise to remain profitable and operational.

Since the advent of the 2010 decade, West Electronics, inc. has experienced virtually nonexistent electronic oriented economic opportunity. In ensuing efforts to alleviate this dilemma, corporate management commenced and is obtaining measurable progress towards meeting its revised entrepreneurial diversification and sustainability strategy. Preeminent projects which have helped the corporation meet this new corporate aspiration include the Bison

Rail Project, the purchase and assumption nf the Wolf Point Sane and Gravel enterprise, creation of the new "Stony Paths" enterprise, diversification into the new subordinate Fort Peck

Manufacturing Company enterprise

West Electronics, Inc. completed improvements, upgrades and expansion to the existing Fort

Peck Industrial Park rail spur which accesses the immediately adjacent Burlington Northern

Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF). These improvements have positioned the Park and West Electronics, Page 10 of 35

Inc. to pursue and successfully obtain an expanded initial economic opportunity with Reynolds

Trucking Company of Sheridan, with the outcome of eventually becoming a regional transload, storage and distribution center for targeted products and opportunity.

Also, West Electronics, Inc. purchased the established Wolf Point Sand and Gravel small business enterprise. This transaction helped strengthen, diversify and stabilize the operations of

West Electronics, Inc., including generation of additional revenue.

In addition, during the program year, West Electronics, Inc. completed further internal diversification through creation and successful operation of the subordinate "Stony Paths" enterprise. This new effort focused on develo men of concrete based products (ie., grave headstones, crucifixes, pathway blocks, etc.) for sale to local and regional customers.

Furthermore, West Electronics, Inc. created the Fort Peck Manufacturing Company as another

"spin off' economic enterprise. The enterprise, with its new U.S. Small Business

Administration Section "8(a)" small and disadvantaged business development status, is tasked

with analyzing, pursuing and procuring targeted U.S. Governm0ntal contract product

manufacturing opportunities.

In addressing employment opportunities within these transactions, West Electronics, Inc. has

directly reemployed previously laid off individuals from within its prior labor force. Therefore,

our P. L. 102-477 program provided West Electronics, Inc. with supportive financing and

development opportunity.

Moreover, the company continues to negotiate with a targeted domestic rail car refurbishment ..

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facility for possible establishment and operation of an on-Reservation rail car repair and

refurbishment operation Strategic establishment of an on-Reservation rail car renovation facility

would be beneficial and profitable for the company and private sector investor. Rationale is that

railcars and trains targeted for maintenance and repair currently have to commute approximately

1,000 miles to the nearest repair/refurbishment facility to receive restoration.

3. Fort Peck Tribal Governance:

During the reporting year, P. L. 102-477 personnel completed ongoing transactions with Fort

Peck Tribal government to assist in procuring and preparing individuals for subsequent entry into

unsubsidized employments. Within this effort, during PY' 15, we provided allowable P. L. 102­

477 assistance to three (3) participants.

4. Small Business Assistance:

Small Businesses, whether they are Native American or Non-Indian owned and operated,

constitute an integral component of the compre:1ensive Peck Reservation economy. Area small

businesses provide essential fixed, convenience and consumer goods and services to the local

population. During the reporting year, we provided temporary assistance to several participants

for eventual preparation for and procurement of unsubsidized employment opportunity with

respective enterprises. Within this effort, during PY' 15, the Fort Peck Tribal P. L. 102-477

Program successfully provided allowable assistance to fifteen (15) P. L. 102-477

participants.

During our ensuing PY '16 program operation year, we anticipate continuing to provide other Page 12 of 35 area small business operations with P. L. 102-477 assistance which meets new employee procurement, initial occupational training and eventual unsubsidized employment requirements for specific P. L. 102-477 participants.

Also, during the program year, we transacted with the following foremost small businesses in the area to help prepare and provide the following sums of respective P. L. 102-477 participants for eventual placement into unsubsidized employment with the following area entities:

a. Sidney Sugars:

During the program year, the P. L. 102-477 program continued to transact with the near­

Reservatio enterprise of Sidney, Sugars of Sidney, Montana to meet its pressing need for direct labor employees. The en!ity continues to experience difficulty in procuring and maintaining a stable labor force due to available and higher paying employme t opportunity in various regional

"Bakken" based hydrocarbon based exploration and service type jobs. Also, due to the distressed and unresolved negative state of the Fort Peck Tribal economy, the effort represented an alternate and welcome opportunity for meaningful employment for a portion of the Tribal labor force.

As a part of this transaction, during the program year, a total of 52 Tribal members were selected for employment with Sidney Sugars. Of this sum, four (4) individuals received P. L.

102-477 assistance. Most importantly, transactions with Sidney Sugars resulted in return of a significant overall payroll to the Fort Peck Tribal economy. To insure the success of this effort, the Fort Peck Transportation System continued to provide daily 24-hour round trip transportation Page 13of35 of employees from their places of residency on the Fort Peck Reservation to Sidney Sugars' operation in near-Reservation community of Sidney, Montana.

b. Shopko, Inc.:

During PY' 15, we provided allowable introductory P. L. 132-477 employability assistance to five (5) newly hired Native American employees of the local Shopko Hometown general merchandise and pharmacy enterprise, a member of the regional Shopko Corporation of

America.

7. Health Care:

During the reporting year, our?. L. 102-477 Program continued to maintain and provide an important role in assisting the Northeast Montana Health Services (NEMHS) and the local

Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program (HPDP) to obtain and/or help eligible P. L.

102-477 participants with allowable assistance to acquire, prepare for and maintain unsubsidized occupational employ:nent with each entity.

To help mitigate this dilemma, the P. L. 102-477 program maintains reciprocal working relationships with the aforementioned Northeast Montana Health Services (NEMHS) and the

F0rt Peck Tribal Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program (HPDP.) During the program year, we provided P. L. 102-477 assistance to five (5) participants for subsequent procurement of employment in supportive, paraprofessional or professional occupations with NEMHS and two(2) individuals with the HPDP Prograni. Page 14 of 35

In summary, the Fort Peck area health care environment is perpetually confronted by unprepared and/or readily available employees, particularly as the demand for quality health care increases.

B. "Non-Positive" Outcomes:

1. Fort Pe~k T::ibal Business Development:

During the program year, the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board completed site location,

preparation, design and procurement of at leas $33 million in financing for construction of an

approximate 55,000 square foot hotel/gaming complex. The new facilities have been scheduled

for location immediately adjacent to U. S. Highway 2 near the Fort Kipp community in the

easternmost portion of the Fort Peck Reserv2-tion.

Within this proposed project is an element which is of particular interest to the P. L. 102­

477 Program. Within the proposed project, an approximate sum of 225 new employment

opportunities associated with eventual operation of the hotel/gaming complex are scheduled to

be created and provided to the Tribal labor force. We anticipated that a significant portion of the

tentative new jobs would become available to economically disadvantaged Tribal members,

including our P. L. 102-477 participants. However, vocal Tribal member opposition to the

proposed project compelled the Tribal Executive Board to place the project 'on hold' and

possibly redesign the hotel/gaming complex on a lesser scale for subsequent construction in the

near-future. Page 15 of 35

2. Tribal Natural Resource Development:

Due to the despondent internal and external state of the raw hydrocarbon based exploration and development industry, the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board, during the program year, dissolved primary its oil and gas development enterprise, the Fort Peck Energy Company.

Compounding this problem is the fact that fluctuating crude oil and gas prices have virtually curtailed any new exploration and development activities on Tribal and other Trust land. This unfortunate development resulted :n forfeiture of scarce Tribal income and employment opportunity.

C. Other Occupational Skills Training Activities and Service Providers:

During the reporting year, P. L. 102-477 Classroom Training Program (CRT) assistance was

provided to seven (7) participants. Of this sum, two (2) participants completed their Machining occupational training program with the Fort Peck Tech Services (FPTS) and remain eligible for employment in the noted occupation with FPTS. Also, we have two (2) participants enroll in and complete off-Reservation i stitutional over-the-road Trucking Based occupational training with

Sage Technical Services C rporation of Billings, Montana. One individual has since procured unsubsidized employment while the other is actively seeking work. Of the remaining three (3) individuals, one completed manicure oriented training with the Nail Institute in Billings,

Montana, another completed training in the Registered Nurse (RN) occupation and has since procured local RN employment while the remaining participant abruptly relocated out of the area and did not complete his training activities with the Fort Peck Community College (FPCC) of

Poplar, Montana. '1>">.~;:.·.:!.~4u.: """ < • ';< ·.

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Also, through previously noted partnerships with the Northeast Montana Health Services

(NEMHS) institution, we helped specific P. L. 102-477 clientele prepare for, procure and maintain permanent unsubsidized employment in occupations such as Registered Nurse (RN,)

Certified Nurses Aide (CNA,) Nurses Aide, Housekeeper, etc. with respecti e NEMHS campuses located in Wolf Point and Poplar, Montana.

D. Client-Oriented Services & Linkages:

During the program year, P. L. 102-477 program staff maintained and completed professional consultation with associated local and area Native American/Non-Indian human resource service providers. This effort continues to be completed t rough ongoing consultation among our area

Community Management Team (CMT) consortium and reg· onal 'one stop' (Northeast Montana

.lob Services) employment and training center. Respectively completed programmatic,

'information and referral' tasks generally include: referral of or receipt of eligible individuals requiring assistance, specialized occupational/aptitude testing, sharing of socio-economic data, receipt of on or near-Reservation employment opportunity information, etc.

Most importantly, we are acutely aware of the recent enactment of the federal Workforce

Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, its implementation on July 01 , 2015 and our one-stop area partnership. We understand that WIOA retains the domestic array of one-stop centers, which directly provide a variety of employment services and connect customers to work- related training and education. Also, we are cognizant that WIOA advocates a high-quality one- stop center system by continuing to align investments in workforce, education and economic development to regional in-demand jobs. In addition, we are aware that the new legislation Page 17of35 places greater emphasis on one-stops achieving results for jobseekers, workers and businesses.

Furthermore, from the law, WIOA reinforces the partnerships and strategies necessary for one- stops to provide job seekers and workers with the high-quality career services, education and training, and supportive services they need to get good jobs and stay employed, and help businesses find skilled workers and access other supports, including education and training for their current workforce.

E. Summary of Adolescent Servicc:s Provided and Associated Results:

As portrayed in the contents of our PY' 15 P. L. 102-477 Statistical Report, an array of allowable employment, occupational skills training and employability development assistance were provided to to 67 adult program participants. Of this sum, 57 individuals were terminees.

The remaining 10 individuals have been 'carried forward' into our P. L. 102-477PY'16 program operational year.

The following categorical summaries of allowable Classroom Training (CRT), Tribal Work

Experience (TWXP) andSupportive Services Assistance (SUS) which were provided to

respectively terminated individuals are presented and briefly explained as follows:

a. Classroom Training (CRT):

During the reporting year, we provided specific classroom training program assistance to five

(5) program participants. Of this sum, four (4) individuals successfully completed their CRT

activities of which two (2) received unsubsidized employment while the remaining one (1)

participant did not complete approved CRT activities. Page 18 of 35

b. Tribal Work Experience (TWXP):

During PY '15, twenty eight (28) participants received subsidized introductory P. L. 102-477

Tribal Work Experience (TWXP) assistance. Of the sum, sixteen (15) individuals were terminated for varying reasons by their designated worksite employer or simply chose to refrain from completing the remaining duration of their approved sum of TWXP assistance. However, twelve (12) individuals completed their approved TWXP activities and subsequently received placement into permar..ent unsubsidized employment with their respective worksite employers while one (1) participant chose to return to school.

Area employers who provided Tribal Work Experience worksites and preparatory occupational development training to our Tribal Work Experience participant included the ASI

Constructors, Dakota Dollar Plus, Fort Peck Community Services Program, Fort Peck

Community College, Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program, Fort Peck Economic and

Community Development, Wolf Point Federal Credit Union, Todd Construction, the Family

Violence Resource Center, Fort Peck Tribal Court and Live By the Cup Barista.

Finally, respective occupations enhanced by TWXP assistance, either positively or negatively, included, but were not limited to: Sales Clerk, Secretary, Administrative Assistant,

Assistant Store Manager, Youth Recreation Worker, Business Development Specialist, Cashier,

Carpenter, Personal Care Attendant, C:istomer Services Worker/Representative,

c. On-The-Job Training (OJT):

During PY' 15, we did not receive any requests for or provide On-The-Job (OJT) assistance . . ' . .- ~ . -· .~ ....-..... ~ • - • • 11;:1 , ... "9 • .,·<'.; '.;~ "'"' ""'1'.;;,'::Y ,y~i.;,;,:.r'.'li-t'!~~"'~'', • . . . ..

Page 19 of 35

to any area employer. We attribute this development to nonexistent to extremely marginal on-

Reservation economic growth. Any significant or planned new on-Reservation private sector

investment or expected small business economic growth simply failed to transpire.

d. Supportive Services (SUS):

During the completed P. L. 102-477 Program Year, we continued to offer Supportive Services

(SUS) assistance. During this period, a total of twenty two (22) participants received allowable

P. L. 102-477 SUS assistance. Of this sum, a total of twenty one (21) participants successfully

utilized respectively provided SUS assistance to obtain and maintain unsubsidized employment.

The remaining one (1) participant was subsequently unsuccessful in his effort to procure

unsubsidized occupational employment.

Also, supportive services assistance was utilized by respective SUS participants to procure

and maintain unsubsidized employment with local entrepreneurs and institutions such as: Fort

Peck Headstart, Independence Bank, Sherman Motor Inn, Sidney Sugars, Shopko, Inc.,

Northeast Montana Health Services, Fort Peck Housing Authority, Albertsons, Fort Peck Tech

Services, Inc., ASI Constructors, etc.

Ensuing SUS assisted. occupational procurement, both successful and unsuccessful,

included, but were not limited to: Youth Health Statistician, Bank Teller, Housekeeper, General

Laborer, Sales Clerk, Stock Clerk, Truck Driver, Carpenter, Cashier, Certified Nurses Aide,

Machinist, Nurses Aide, Private Institutional Teller, etc.

C. Analysis of Specific Adult Program Outcomes and Performance Standards: Page 20of35

Specific figures, obtained from within the accompanying "Public Law 102-477 Statistical

Report," has been assessed. Ensuing results provide the following categorically summarized results:

Illustrated terminee information is based on data from Section II and its following four supporting sectional reporting components: Subsection Il(A), "Total with Employment

Objective", Subsection Il(B), "Total With Educationalffraining Objective" Subsection II(C),

"Miscellaneous Objective Achieved" and Subsection II(D), "Other" (Non-Positive.)

In Section IIA, the "Total With Employment Objective" portion, fifty one (51) terminees received P. L. 102-477 assistance. Supporting information for this sum is presented as follows:

As further shown and obtained from the "Entered Unsubsidized Employment" Subsection Il(A)l component, thirty five (35) terminees were placed into employment. Also, as illustrated in

Subsection II(A)2, ,no terminees were placed in the ensuing "Other Employment Outcomes" portion. In the following Subsection Il(A)3 entitled "Employment Objective Not Achieved" portion, sixteen (16) terminees failed, for various reasons, to attain their respective employment aspirations. Finally, as portrayed in Subsection II(A)4, the associated terminee "Earnings Gain" was $11.19 per hour.

From the ensuing Section IIB, "Total With Educationalffraining Objective" portion of our annual statistical report, five (5) terminees received aid. As further shown in the ensuing components, four (4) terminees "Attempted or Attained a Degree or Certificate," no terminee possessed an "Other Educational Outcome" while one (1) terminee was placed into the

"Education Objective Not Achieved" classification. ' .~ ' ,,. ~- ·~~-,.~ ~~~'"~~\ ~'~ tlh~,.....~-~.. ,_~J{ {~~\,i°?l~~tf; ~{r:f;!,~

Page 21of35

Also, as obtained from Section IIC, the "Miscellaneous Objective Achieved" segment, one (1) tenninee positively a~hieved their aspiration.

Finally, in the remaining "Other (Non-Positive " category, no terminees were placed into this part.

In further analysis and presentation of summarized adolescent data for the reporting year, our

P. L. 102-477 program operation attained an approximate 70.00 percent positive adolescent termination rate (40 (35, 4 and 1) divided by 57 total terminees.) Most importantly, of the total fifty seven (57) terminees, thirty five (35) terminees, or approximately 61.40 percent, successfully "Entered Unsubsidized Employment".

With our previously illustrated annual P. L. 102-477 summary data in perspective, our designated annual P. L. 102-477 program performance standard for welfare reduction indicates that at least one-third (33%) of our adolescent terminees should be able to transition from public assistance. In lieu of our designated thirty three percent (33%) welfare reduc ion performance standard--of the thirty five (35) adult terminees who entered unsubsidized employment- eighteen (18) terminees who received cash assistance, or approximately 51.42 percent (18 divided by 25), were empowered with job opportunity with which to commence transition from lengthy reliance on public assistance and proceed towards measurable attainment of self- sufficiency. From interpretation of this finding, we exceeded our applicable annual performance standard which requires the Fort Peck Tribes to positively assist a portion of our adult program terminees to commence relinquishment of dependency on public assistance. Page 22of35

D. General Summary of Other Adolescent Services Provided:

During the operating year, various types of allowable non-monetary P. L. 102-477 help continued to be provided to area employers, institutions and entrepreneurs. Provided assistance included, but was not limited to: Help in identifying and recruiting individuals for possible placement into available economic oriented occupational skills training, development and employment opportunity; Maintenance of an available internal "jobs bank" register;

Completion of aptitude testing with respective individuals; Assistance in analyzing and developing respective occupational skills training curriculums; Provision of available financing methodologies to help aspiring individuals successfully attain feasible Native American entrepreneurship; Perpetual completion of dialogue with area enterprises regarding the availability of P. L. 102-477 economic assistance in preparing Native Americans for unsubsidized employment: and, availability of generally prepared P. L. 102-477 participants to assist in meeting specific respective economic requirements.

YOUTH:

This portion of our annual P. L. 102-477 program report briefly presents and articulates the results of allowable preadolescent activities attained within our PY '15

Suppleme tal Youth Services Program (SYSP) component.

To begin, we are cognizant of the fact that, as allowed by adopted Federal regulations and our approved P. L. 102-477 Fort Peck Indian Reservation service area Plan of Operation, we remain aware that we possess the opportunity to operate our SYSP segment on a year-round basis. Page 23 of 35

However, if the Fort Peck Indian Reservation possessed a viable, thriving, prosperous and sustainable economy, we would be able to properly operate an internal 12-months SYSP program operation. However, in lieu of the current stagnant and exacerbated overall state of the

Fort Peck Reservation, a majority of our economically impacted Native American youth possess unresolved development barriers and, most importantly, unavailable access to aspired diversified economic opportunity and personal income. Therefore, in lieu of our extremely limited P.L.

102-477 youth resources and to help simultaneously mitigate this dilemma, we continue to operate our SYSP program, during out-of-school summertime months, with the outcome of providing eligible Native American youth with temporary introductory work experience employment opportunity.

Numerical outcomes associated with completed r-rovision of introductory SYSP work activities to our approved Native American youth participants are briefly presented throughout the following "Fort Peck Tribal Youth Work Experience Component and Assessment" narrative:

a. Fort Peck Tribal Yout Work Experience Component and Assessment:

During the reporting year, sixty ·ne (69) preadolescent terminees received assistance from our Supplemental Youth Services Program's introductory Tribal Work Experience (TWXP) component. While actively participating in TWXP, each terminee was empowered with competency to acquire and become basically familiar with work activities and responsibilities associated with the "world of work." Page 24of35

During completion of respective Tribal Work Experience activities, each tenninee was temporarily placed with a local governmental, business or private sector enterprise in introductory occupations which included, but were not limited to: Cashier, Administrative

Support, Receptionist, Child Care Worker Assistant, Program Aide, General Laborer, Custodian

Assistant, Clerk/Typist, Waitress, Cook Helper, Secretary, Clerical Worker, etc.

While operating and upon completion of our annual SYSP program, we did not encounter any extenuating circumstances or achieve any notable 'best practices.'

b. Presentation and Interpretation of Youth Program Outcomes:

During the program year, our SYSP program continued to provide general occupational introduction, awareness, basic work experience and personal capacity building opportunity to each SYSP terminee.

As shown in the "Youth" portion of our annual Public Law 102-477 Statistical Report, of the sixty nine (69) total youth participants, all were terminees who possessed an "Employment

Objective". Howeve; , as further ill strated, no terminee "Entered Unsubsidized Employment."

Ensuing interpretation of additionally compiled data reveals that 55 preadolescents received an

"Other Employment Outcome" (successful completion of respective Tribal Work Experience

activities), while the remaining 14 youth terminees obtained an "Employment Objective Not

Achieved" classification (failure to complete designated temporary SYSP activities.)

Most importantly, upon completion of our annual SYSP program operation, we experienced a

positive youth termination rate of approximately 80 percent (55 tenninees with an "Other Page 25of35

Employment Outcome" divided by 69 "Total With Employment Objective" terminees.)

Moreover, of our 69 terminees, 59 youth, or approximateiy 86 percent ((59 students divided by

69 terminees.) were students who have since returned to school. Finally, the illustrated 86 percent academic oriented statistical sum exceeds the approved Federal perforrn&nce standard for our Fort Peele Tribal SYSF program to have at least seventy five percent (75%) of our youth participar.ts return to school at the end of each summer.

OTHER:

a. P. L. 102-477 Economic Development Astivi!ies:

The Fort Peck Tribes are aware that we possess legislative authority to submit an application to the BIA/OIS for consideration and approval to utilize approximately 25% of our P. L. 102-477 finances to complete allowable Tribal economic development activities. During the reporting

period, we did not prepare and submit an alternate economic activity for consideration for

alternate use and application of our P. L. 102-477 financial assistance. However, if the proposed

new Fort ?eek Tribal Hote:/Gaming compl~x project, previously illustrated in pages 13-14 of

this annual report had received approva to proceed, we anticipated utilization of this initiative to

help address the employmen~ requirements of the facility by selecting and preparing eligible

adult participants to complete various introductory occupational skills training for subsequent

placement into meaningful unsubsidized employment opportunities within the aspired capital

facility. Page 26of35

Also, during the program year, the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board requested the P. L. 102­

477 program to initiate activities for eventual completion of a comprehensive Assiniboine and

Sioux Tribal "State of the Workforce Study." In lieu of this request, we identified a reputable consulting firm who possesses proven expertise to help the Tribes professionally complete the proposed State of the Workforce Study project. In addition, we provided assistance to Tribal government in applying for financial assistance to retain the consultant and insure successful completion of the noted Study

Tribal leadership, as a portion of its renewed economic development efforts, are rroactively assessing and pursuing potential attainment of feasible contemporary economic opportunity which meets and integral outcome of providing meaningful sums of quality occupational employment to the economically disadvantaged and categorical and members of the tribal labor force, including P. L. 102-477 clientele. However, Tribal leadership does not possess a summarized comprehensive, distinct, realistic understanding of the actual condition and composition of the tribal workforce. Such currently unavailable information is of paramount importance to measurable attainment of the aforementioned renewed Tribal development aspiration. To properly enhance and insure quantifiable achievement of this reinvigorated effort and situation, the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board and internal entities are compelled to possess a rational understanding understanding of the current Fort Peck Reservation workforce environment/situation and how it aligns with on and near-Reservation economic opportunity, including attracting of new private investment to the area.

We anticipate initiation and completion of this project during our ensuing PY' 16 program operational year. Page 27of35

b. Barriers to Success Confronted by Individual Participants:

Arguably, the foremost unresolved obstacles to measurable achievement of job preparation and acquisi~ion confronting our P. L. 102-477 program participants consists of individual

"unpreparedness" and virtually nonexistent availability of local economic opportunity.

From interpretation of readily available Montana State and U.S. Census (American

Community Survey) information-which accurately illustrate and contrast the quality non-Indian economic environments and living conditions of nearby areas to those within the Fort Peck

Indian Reservation-pervasive poverty, ever present despair, abject unemployment, acute joblessness, omnipresent desperation, etc-remain among the foremost depressing and unresolved factors which distinctly portray the current disadvantaged human and emaciated economic states of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. In our opinion, these ongoing and unmitigated conditions clearly portray the ciepressing social, human and economic conditions

.::onfronting our respective :?. L. 102-477 program participants. Also, from further analysis of this information, our participants may be classified as a "low wealth populace."

In addition, an ominous and unalleviated finding associated with the Fort Peck Indian

Reservation's high poverty and low wealth rates is the Reservation's very extremely minimal rate of available employment. Within the Reservation's employment environment, we remain of the foremost opinion that, without meaningful, well-paying and long-term employment, it is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for our participants to rise out of poverty. Thus,

progressive measurable increases in Native American employment are essential to timely

measurable mitigation of internal destitutio and of which is a foundational step towards Page 28 of 35 building and sustaining prosperity for our P. L. 102-477 participants.

Furthermore, although the Fort Peck Tribal unemployment rate is the most commonly applied measure of acute and forced idleness, it is perhaps not the best instrument for measuring the exorbitant unemployment rate associated with our labor force anc program participants. In lieu of this assertion, a significant portion of our workforce and eligible P. L. 102-477 participants have ceased seeking employment because odds of finding work are very limited. Within this

scenario, once a person stops looking for work, he/she is no longer counted as unemployed.

Therefore, he/she is not traditionally defined as being in the labor force. Officially, to be

classified as unemployed, one has to be actively seeking employment.

Most importantly, a myriad of critical and unresolved predicaments confront many aspiring or

current P. L. 102-47 participants. Respective impediments include, but are not limited to:

No employability experience, alcohol and substance abuse problems, insufficient employability

experience, no high school diploma or GED, poor interpersonal communication skills, fear of

asking for employment, debt or credit problems, no appropriate work clothing, fired from prior

employment, only had unskilled to low-skilled ~mployment, problems establishing and

maintaining good working relationships with peers, poor reading writing and math skills,

problems matching skills to jobs, inadequate to outdated skills, bad references, poor

decisionmaking abilities, no occupational skills training completion and certification, insufficient

job training, no reliable personal transportation, a fear of being shy, a criminal record, a bad

driving record, no valid drivers license, etc. Page 29of35

Moreover, with the absence of a Native American oriented private sector and small business driven economy, the Fort Peck Indian Reservation economic livelihood is largely sustained by receipt and application of governmental financial "transfer payments" to the area. Associated uncertainty and unstability associated with a governance oriented economy means that much­ needed additional well-paying contemporary employment opportunities are simply not provided and insured.

Economists imply that, in today's distressed economy, just possessing employment may no longer be adequate for acceptable personal and familial self-sufficiency. Within the impoverished Fort Peck Indian Reservation and among those fortunate to possess marginal employment, most predominant low-wage jobs are held by area Native Americans, thus compelling the individual and family to supplement maintenance of their livelihood to basic levels via reliance on monthly public assistance-an ndesirable situation which is becoming more prevalent among the Reservation's working poor who are fortunate enough to be employed.

To contribute an integral role in resolving this scenario, it is imperative that the economically disadvantaged portion of our tribal labor force, particularly our P. L. 102-4-77 clientele, continue to be provided with assistance to acquire and opportunity to apply contemporary occupational skills and abilities in meaningful unsubsidized employment.

Finally, it is our utmost opinion that a quality workforce with properly prepared individuals is vital to building and providing requisite capacity necessary for procuring and providing feasible high quality "knowledge based" economic opportunity for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation Page 30of35 economy, Tribal labor force and our P. L. 102-477 participants.

c. Programatic Barriers:

With implementation of the new Federal Workforce Innovation and Oppcrtunity Act (WIOA) within our P. L. 102-477 program, we anticipate experiencing difficulty in achieving specific directives, particularly apprenticeship activities, contained in the legislation. Rationale is that the depressed Fort Peck Tribal economy simply does not possess vacant jobs or is not creating meaningful contemporary occupational opportunity which allows us to achieve a meaningful occupational apprenticeship environment for our adolescent P. L. 102-477 participants

d. Foremost Economic Condi ions and Situations Confronting Our Fort Peck Reservation Service Area;

Since the May 01, 1888 U.S. Governmental establishment of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation boundaries, historical and contemporary chronological Tribal attempts to attain acceptable area livelihood and sufficiency-primarily as a result of perpetual dependency, imposed Federal policies, assimilation, discriminatory practices, limited opportunity, formidable and seemingly insurmountable development challenges. competition, insufficient understanding of the Tribal environment and contemporary economic development processes, spontaneous decisionmaking, substandard capacity-situations which are diametrically different from those within non-Indian society-the Fort Peck Tribes continue to experience perpetual impediments in efforts to obtain meaningful development. For example, persistent Tribal reliance on governmental assistance has resulted in creation and operation of an undesired, non-traditional and unstable on-

Reservation economy whose existence is perpetually dependent on governmental financial Page31 of35 transfer payments. In support of this assertion, information obtained from Tab1e No. 3, the

"Public and Private Sector Employment and on Reservations" chart contained within the August

2009 edition of the "Montana at a Glance" newsletter revealed that approximately 50.50% of the employment opportunity on the Fort Peck Reservation is concentrated in the governmental

(public) sector. Other impacting information presented further stated that "the heavy dependency Oil the public sector. . .limit(s) (on Reservation) economic growth." Therefore, the

Fort Peck Reservation, with its high and ongoing concentration of employment in the public sector, does not possess a relatively self-sustaining economy and continues to experience unwanted levels of despondent economic existence in today's highly sophisticated and competitive economy.

Within the last one-half century (1965-2015,) a Federal initiative and several Fort Peck Tribal attempts were completed with the outcome of stimulating Tribal development. During the 1960 decade, the U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) commenced a governmental notion to bring about on-Reservation industrial development-an effort, which, up to the end of the 20th century, had minimal impact and virtually no sustainable success on the Fort Peck Reservation.

Simultaneously, during the noted timeframe, the Fort Peck Tribes attempted and were relatively

unsuccessful in their efforts to attract meaningful private investment to and entrepreneurial

development on the Fort Peck Reservation. Unfortunately, these noted substandard transactions

continue to transpire on the Reservation.

Therefore, Fort Peck Tribal leadership has empirically determined that perhaps the foremost

factor behind the Fort Peck Resrevation's high poverty rate and low wealth is the area's Page 32of35 miniscule degree of current employment. Moreover, without access to meaningful employment, our labor force and P. L. 102-477 clientele continue to experience substandard existence and unavailable new opportunity. It is only when the jobless on-Reservation Native American population has access to contemporary opportunity, accompanied by increased employment, wages and prosperity, will stubborn internal destitution show measurably decline and aspired increased wealth begin to accrue.

However, although the Fort Peck Indian Reservation possesses a miserable economic state, the area is being approached and consulted by significant external corporations contemplating major on-Reservation private sector economic investment. For example, the Burlington

Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway is analyzing and considering the Fort Peck Reservation for possible establishment of a strategic, well-positioned, fu ll-service certified facility to diagnose, adjust, repair or overhaul railroad rolling stock. This potential near-future economic endeavor contains potential to provide the tribal workforce, including our P. L. 102-477 clientele, with

highly skilled, well-paying and long-term employment iv various direct labor occupations-(ie.,

fabricators, welders, painters, machinists, quality control technicians, etc.)-with significant job

opportunities which are urgently needed by our workforce. The Tribes currently do not possess

definitive data on the Tribal workforce and/or training capacity to allow BNSF to properly assess

the Tribes capability to provide sophisticated and properly prepared employees. To help address

this detriment, including similar situations encountered by other potential investors, the proposed

Fort Peck Tribal "State of the Workforce Study" project previously articulated on Page No. 26 of

this annual report, will provide the Tribes and potential investors, such as the BNSF who are Page 33 of 35 interested in investing in the Tribal economic environment, with qualitative and quantitative information for use in completing prudent decision-making regarding requisite Tribal capacity and/or capability to provide and/or develop quality occupational labor and as-necessary complex occupational skills training.

e. Unmet Needs:

As with all of other domestic P. L. 1021-477 and Section 166 U.S. Department of Labor financed efforts, we continually do not receive ::;ufficient annual Federal financial assistance to properly meet the needs of most of the economically disadvantaged members of the Fort Peck

Tribes and its workforce.

f. Lirnitatio::i of Resources:

Any resource limitations are primarily financial in nature and contingent on periodically approved and awarded U. S. Congressional P. L. 102-477 budgetary finances.

g. Success Stories and Accomplishments of Note:

We successfully provided al owable assistance to a single Native American adult participant who obtained requisite Montana State certification/licensing which supported completed academic oriented occupation skills tra·n ing, procurement and maintenance of well-paying

permanent unsubsidized employLient in a local institutional "demand oriented" healt -based

(Registered Nurse) occupation which met the client's adopted employment goal. . .,

Page 34of35

h. Other Informal Comments Associated With Our Current and Ensuing P. L. 102-477 Program Year Operation:

During the completed program year, we continued to experience unresolved difficulty in our

efforts to proper establish and operate of our P. L. 102-477 effort. We are of the foremost

opinion that our predicament has been the result of an ongoing internal conflict between our

former designated Awarding Officer Technical Representative, Mrs. Jody LeCompte-Garrison

and Mr. Jack Stevens, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Indian Energy and

Economic Development (BWOIEED) in Washington, DC. Within this impasse, W1r. Stevens

placed Mrs. LeCompte-Garrison on paid administrative leave. While we appreciate the internal

transfer of the domestic P. L. 102-477 effort from the BIA/OIEED to the Bureau of Indian

Affairs, Office of Indian Services (BIA/OIS) and interim appointment of Mr. Ken Lemeiux as

our designated AOTR. It is our hope that Mrs. Lecompte-Garrison's dismissal appeal is

successfully upheld and that she be allowed to return as the BWOIS's officially designated

AOTR to the Fort Peck Tribal P. L. 102-477 Program.

Also, during our forthcoming PY '16 P. L. 102-477 Program operation, we an icipate

renewed occurrence of optimistic Fort Peck Tribal economic development. !n support of this

effort, we will, as feasible and allowable, continue to actively help complete economic

assessment and integration efforts with the Tribe and its developmental staff/partners to insure

that the following associated "2012 Program Review Recommendation(s)" Number for provided

within the aforementioned October 201 2, Fort Peck Tribal P. L. 102-477 Program Review

Report is met; "Recommend that the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe take advantage of Page 35 of 35

P. L. 102-477 Sec. 9.Job Creation Activities Authorized, for the creation of employment opportunities and for the development of the economic resources of the tribal government and the amendment to the law Sec. 1103, the percentage of funds for use in economic development."