Editorial: Oil money brings better life to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation

Monday, May 15, 2017  

Senator John Hoeven on Facebook: 'Congratulations to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation'

A brand new $17.2 million public safety complex is just the beginning for the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. The Bismarck Tribune lists just a few of the projects for the tribe, all credited to revenues from energy development in North Dakota:

If they accomplish all the plans the reservation will be a better place and other areas of the state will get a boost.

They are building a new courthouse and law enforcement building that will include three courtrooms and will have training and qualification space, six dispatchers and a surveillance system for monitoring high activity areas across the reservation, including license plate readers. Law enforcement has been using a small section of the New Town city hall and Tribal Chairman Mark Fox hopes the new facilities will promote respect for law enforcement.

The tribes also hope to build a wellness-recreation center to promote health and wellness. They are developing that concept and looking for a location with 10 acres.

They have other proposals to keep residents active and healthy. They plan to invest $5 million in a water park near the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge, $1.5 million for a sandy beach and concession area on the Lake Sakakawea peninsula, $2 million to build a customized excursion paddleboat, and an improved swimming pool and splash pad in Parshall.

There are also plans for a $10 million assisted living facility for 20 elders in Parshall.

. . .

Another ambitious project underway is a $25 million drug treatment center in north Bismarck.

Read More on the Story:
Editorial: Tribes turn oil money into a better life (The Bismarck Tribune 5/11)

Tribal views seen as influencing close vote on Obama-era rules (May 12, 2017)
Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation opens public safety complex (May 10, 2017)