Rocky Boy gives 1,200 turkeys

Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation departments and programs donated money to keep the tradition of giving a Thanksgiving meal free to every enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree tribe.

The Vocational Technology Center at Stone Child College was stocked Tuesday with volunteers creating 1,200 baskets in which a turkey, stuffing, bag of potatoes, cranberry sauce, cake mix and other items are placed.

Organizers gathered at the college around 8 a.m., but were unable to start creating the baskets and giving them out until some time after noon due to troubles with the semi-truck carrying the supplies breaking down twice and finally coming to rest at Middle Dryfork Village a few miles away.

This giveaway has been a tradition for about 10 years. Every year, someone spearheads the collection of funds by going to the Rocky Boy government departments and various entities around the reservation and asking them for donations.

Members showed at the college to pick up their baskets throughout the day. They will show up around Christmas to get a similar package for Christmas dinner.

Mary Gallegos, the director for the sexual offender registration and notification network at Rocky Boy, pushed to provide the meal for Chippewa Cree tribal members, but said it is a group effort from all the entities and people of Rocky Boy.

She said the job rate and poverty are some of the reasons they organize this every year.

"It brings people together," Gallegos said. "Chief Rocky Boy said 'Love one another and be kind to one another,' so it's just an outreach from there."

She said many people in the tribe would not be able to afford a Thanksgiving dinner and this endeavor makes celebration possible.

Around 200 or so of the meals will be taken to Great Falls to tribal members there.