1957-01-01 Char-Koosta News

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Blue Bay Property To Be Develeoped
The Blue Bay property on the East Shore of Flathead Lake, owned by the Flathead Tribe, is to be developed into one of the finest recreational areas on the lake, according to plans being worked out by the Tribal Council and Henry ' C. Courville, a member of the Tribe and a veteran of World War II. Plans now call for his retention as operator and pianager.
The Tribal Council and Mr. Courville are aware of the increased tourist travel through western Montana which continually points up an ever growing need for adequate tourist accommodations. This is particularly true along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake which is considered one of the fastest growing tourist attractions in the Pacific Northwest.
Realizing this need and acting in the best interests of developing recreational resources, the Tribal Council, by resolution, unanimously approved a plan fpr the modernization of Blue Bay Lodge which is located 20 miles from Poison on State Highway 35.
The Council feels that this plan will not only provide the recreational area mentioned but is also a splendid example of what can be gained by coupling -human resources with equally valuable natural resources.
It will be recalled that the construction 'of the main buildings is of log and native stone. Blue Bay Lodge was built in the '30's with funds earmarked for work re-lief projects. The condition and the general appearance of the exterior is still very good. But interior modernization is needed. Replacement cost of the property would probably exceed $150,000. Actual cost to the Tribe is less than 15 per cent of its estimated value. | Mr. Courville, who is chiefly responsible for the plan adopted by the Council, will install modern plumbing, heating, cooking and refrigerating facilities. Insulation will also be added to make all-year operation possible. The work will be completed by early summer in time for (he 1957 tourist trade to find 12 modern cabins, together with excellent beach facilities, a picnic area, boat and motor rental service, a self-service laundry and a trailer park. With an eye toward future development, Mr. Courville believes that a restaurant and sporting goods store can be added.
The Tribe has been averaging in es-cess of $3,000 annually in income from this property but very little was being put back into the plant itself. The proposed cost of renovation and installation of the modern equipment is considered very nominal. The "new look" at Blue Bay is receiving enthusiastic support from other business people in the area and the Tribal Council is looking forward to a happy combination of community service and added income to the fribe.
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PUBLISHED BY CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES. Application for Second Class Permit Made at the Post cjf
Vol. 1 — No. 3
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Tribal Attorney Discusses Legal Problems of 1956
By John W. Cragun
Legislation pending in Congress and the 3rd unit at Kerr dam were the two matters which demanded most of the time of the tribal attorneys (Wilkinson, Cragun, Barker & Hawkins) during 1956.'
Other important issues also required attention, such as the extent of the tribal title to lands bordering and underlying Flathead Lake; state taxation of Indian-owned lands and personal property; rights to enrollment; the construction and validity of enrollment ordinances; inheritance rights of Canadian Indians; enforcing through foreclosure loans made under the tribal credit program; and processing tribal requests through
Health District Urge Polio Vaccination
Montana Public Health District II urges every parent to protect his children against polio by immunization with the vaccine. The incidence of polio in those vaccinated has been reduced 70-75 per cent. At present, three injections are recommended: the first, the second one a month later, and a third in seven months from the date of the second.
Besides being immunized against polio, every child should be immunized and thus protected against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus (lockjaw) and smallpox. Babies are born with no lasting protection against these diseases. Immunization should be started early. This is because all of these diseases are serious in infancy, and because, with the exception of smallpox, it takes several months for the baby to build up his own defense against them.
Immunizations against diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus (lockjaw) are usually given in combination, although each can bé given separately. A vaccine that immunizes against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetunas is generally used for preschool children. It is usually given in three injections about a month apart with the first booster close, about a year afterward, and every four to five years thereafter. Smallpox vaccination is given during the first year and repeated in five years.
Before your baby is two months old, ask the doctor when the immunizations should be started.
the Indian Office and the Department pf the Interior.
Local lawyers were approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for association by the tribal attorneys. These Oskar O. Lympus, George F. (Tom) Higgins, and Raymond F. Gray of Missoula.
Congressional legislation requiring attention included the heirship-lands bill; the so-called "Water Rights Settlement Act"; the extension of the life of the Indian Claims Commission (where two suits against the United States are pending on behalf of the Confederated Tribes); repeal or modification of Public Law 280, 83rd. Cong., respecting state jurisdiction over Indians and Indian reservations; the depressed-areas bill, and a host of other matters.
The 3d unit at Kerr Dam involves a dispute with Montana Power Company as to the rights of the Confederated Tribes io additional rentals. The original license called for $175,000 a year for only two units. Montana Power Company installed, starting in 1952, a third unit; and in late 1954 it started operating it — but without any agreement with the Confederated Tribes as to additional rentals which might be due.
The Power Company took the view, ultimately, that nothling additional was due, asserting that it was paying for the entire Kerr Dam site, no matter how much or how little it might make out of it. The Confederated Tribes took the view that all previous negotiations and rentals were based on a license for only two units; that if that license is to be expanded and the site exploited beyond the two units, then further permission from the Tribes must be obtained — which can be obtained upon reasonable payments.
The nominal offer of Montana Power Company to pay $15,000 a year was regarded by the Tribes as not a reasonable payment for the value of the use of the site for a 3d unit — which might, on the basis upon which compensation was originally calculated, run 5, 10, or 20 times as much.
Accordingly, before year's end the Tribes had brought a declaratory-judgement suit in the United States District Court for Montana to declare the right of the Tribes to refuse the use of their dam site for the 3d unit at Kerr Dam. Montana Power Company had asked that the court not declare rights one way or the other, for technical reasons. The court has not as yet determined whether its help was properly sought.