Angela Brandt
Havre Daily News
abrandt@havredailynews.com
A group that met on Monday in Havre with a federal mediator had trouble deciding on a coverage area for a proposed human relations committee - which would be charged with alleviating racial issues here - and could not hammer out a mission statement.
At the end of the six-hour session, the group of about 25 participants decided on one ground rule - one only person can speak at a time.
“I don't know what the answers and solutions are in Havre. You'll be the ones to say ‘this is working in our community.' I am going to leave. I only hope you make choices that I'd like to see,” federal Department of Justice mediator Grace Sage said.
The meeting included Havre Public Schools superintendent Kirk Miller, Havre Mayor Bob Rice, representatives from Northern Montana Hospital, local law enforcement and members of Opportunity Link, a Havre-based anti-poverty organization. Some had participated in the previous closed-door meetings with the mediator, and others were newcomers.
Early in the training session, local landlord Charles Grant asked if Sage would return “if Havre is in trouble again.”
Sage said she doesn't expect to return to Havre for more mediation or training. But by the end of the meeting, Sage said she'd be returning to the Hi-Line.
One participant asked “is Havre in trouble now?”
Sage quickly responded: “No.”
She was invited to Havre after a University of Montana journalism student wrote article on racism in the city. The piece ran in a supplemental section of the Great Falls Tribune.
The previous meetings were not open to the public or press.
She said the people of the community will decide who will be on the human rights committee and what the committee's goals will be.
“This is not going to be an easy job,” Sage said.
At one of the previous, closed-door meetings, an agreement that included a tentative list of committee members and its mission statement, was signed. The statement said the committee was created to alleviate racial tension in Havre and the surrounding areas. It only made reference to American Indians and caucasians.
Havreite Lorna Stremcha said the new mission statement should include all ethnic groups.
“That separation - that's the problem,” Stremcha said.
Pastor Arden Barden of Our Saviors Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy said he thinks there is “an imaginary line or fence at the reservation.”
“We're all a part of it and all a part of solving it,” Barden said.
Grant said his Indian friends are treated differently in Havre than he is treated.
“It's embarassing. I'm sick of it,” he said.
Grant added he is treated well when he visits those friends on a reservation.
“Until we tackle race relations, we'll be here again next year,” said Alvin Windy Boy Sr., a rancher who said he's done a lot of business in Havre.
“You need us. We need you,” he added.
Those at the meeting had difficulty defining what area the proposed committee should cover.
“If the area is too big, it will be ineffective. How do you define community?” Havre Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Debbie Vandeberg said.
Participants also asked whether the committee should be concerned with short-term visitors and Montana State University-Northern students.
Sage tried to rally the crowd to focus on the mission at hand.
“The (committee) is only as good as those who sit on it. You have to have a really strong mission statement that says this is what you do. Period. Amenagreement.
He called the previous agreement “generic.” He said the new one will include representatives from Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian reservations, Hill County and Havre. The old improving on cooperation or race relations,” - the three of the goals mentioned for the committee's mission statement.
Rocky Boy tribal council member and state legislator Jonathan Windy Boy said the group needed a short-term plan to work on until Sage returns to Havre. He volunteered to meet with city and Hill County officials to construct a new agreement.
He called the previous agreement “generic.” He said the new one will include representatives from Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian reservations, Hill County and Havre. The old agreement did not include representatives from Fort Belknap.
Jonathan Windy Boy said the agreement will ensure those included are on the “same page.”
“I can sign my name on that right now but what after then?” Sage asked.
Sage said the meeting was supposed to be training for the original, core group of those involved with the mediation sessions. She said the groups should decide who they want to be in the committee.
Jonathan Windy Boy said a meeting will be held on April 18 to work toward creating a committee
Sage said she will probably not make it back to Havre for the meeting but is interested in the outcome and will return at a later date.
Jennifer Brandon of Northern Montana Hospital said the group had brought problems to the table but no solutions.
“It's not doing anything. How are we going to accomplish our goals?” Brandon said.
During the session the conversation became heated and Sage called a 10-minute break for the participants to cool down.
“Some people aren't very happy. Maybe nobody is happy. We don't have it yet but are working on it,” Sage said after the break. “I understand there is a foundation of problems.”
Rice said the meeting may have been premature.
“I suggest Jonathan and I get together. I think something can be done,” Rice said. “This is not something that will happen overnight.”
After Monday's meeting, Rice said, “I guess we got a lot of work to do.”
Today, Jonathan Windy Boy said the group needs to hear from those who are directly impacted by the racial issues.
“Let those in the backstreets come and hear their stories. Let them come up with ideas and solutions,” he said.
“I don't have the answer to every problem. No official has the answers to every problem,” he added. “Maybe I don't need to take it to page two, maybe you'll take it and run with it.”
After some bickering, Sage said, “I know there are these personal issues. That's why I'm here.”
“They all start out like this because these are the people you want in the room,” Sage added.
Rice said the meeting may have been premature.
“I suggest Jonathan and I get together. I think something can be done,” Rice said. “This is not something that will happen over night.”
After Monday's meeting, Rice said, “I guess we got a lot of work to do.”
Today, Jonathan Windy Boy said the group needs to hear from those who are directly impacted by the racial issues.
“Let those in the backstreets come and hear their stories. Let them come up with ideas and solutions,” he said.
“I don't have the answer to every problem. No official has the answers to every problem,” he added.
