info about cut bank and browning (house, buy, school)

[JetMech72]

Originally Posted by bigtrees

I think something that I should be really clear about is the Native Americans are a people of pride and also a people who still harbor a lot of tough feelings towards people of Anglo-Saxon decent. They're not outwardly mean or grumpy with white people but it is very hard for them (still, to this day) to see how white people have become so sucessful and the native american people have not become sucessful. It's hard for them to deal with the alcohol problem that all Native American tribes suffer from. None of them like the fact that many Native Americans are alcoholics but it is very difficult for them to deal with it. It is difficult for them to deal with the fact that they frequently are mixed blood (Native American/white or a mixture of several tribes). The tribes don't necessarily get along with one another (holdover from before white people) so it is really hard when your a 50/50 mixture of two tribes that don't like each other. This is what Native Americans tell me, it's not me judging them.

What I'm saying is that the Native American culture is very challenging and above all, they harbor a lot of feelings that may make it not much fun at all to work in. Go for it if you must but I'd also encourage you to make a personal committment to do something else if it doesn't work out right. Your only a a fresh out of college grad once and I would spend my early twenties doing something fun rather than trying to suceed in a a difficult environment.

On the note of success. The Flathead....Kootenai/Salish....Reservation is the most successful in Montana. I don't think they complain too much about white success. On the note of alcoholism, it is on the decline throughout the Rocky Boy and Fort Belknap Reservations, that I know of...the other Reservations I'm not too sure. I do know that the fastest growing demographic population in Montana is the Native American population. There could be a lot of good to come out of working on a Reservation...especially as a nurse. But there are "nicer" places to live in Montana where nursing is in high demand.....it's in demand everywhere....but the things that can be learned from working on the Reservation would be priceless....the good and the bad.

[kandice33]

Wow, I REALLY appreciate all of the info that has been shared! A few things that might clarify why I am interested in this in the first place: I will be working for the government and would be able to use my Florida nursing license and have all the benefits of working for gov't. I would have LOVED to work on the Flathead reservation-I fell in love with Polson the minute we pulled into town! Unfortunately the Flathead hospitals are run by the tribe and do not receive gov't assistance which took it out of the running. I want to be near the mountains and I realize that I do only get the fresh out of college experience once and given the opportunity I want to be able to be near the mountains as much as possible. I am not the typical graduate in that I'm not in my early 20's so I have experienced "life in the big city" and have hated it! I realize that it's not going to be the best possible scenario working in Browning and that I will need to make the most of it. In which case I also have the chance to change locations if need be, but I want to at least try. I am just hoping to make it out alive! Which reminds me-I have my concealed weapons permit and it will carry over into Montana, but I'm not sure if it will carry over on the reservation. Does anyone know? I realize that I cannot take a gun into the hospital itself, but if they were even allowed on the reservation itself. Thanks again to everyone who has share, it has been very informative!

[kandice33]

Originally Posted by rickers

My wife and I were stranded last winter 4 miles east of Browning when our air filter iced up. It was kind of scary but we weren't stranded long. It could have been a lot worse.

What ended up happening? Did a local stop to help or did you have to call someone?

[kandice33]

I was also wondering about cell service. Does anyone know the best provider for that area? Thanks again!!!

[JetMech72]

Originally Posted by kandice33

I was also wondering about cell service. Does anyone know the best provider for that area? Thanks again!!!

Verizon is the only service up here. The only one with coverage.

[rickers]

I let my air filter thaw and limped into Browning.
As far as tribes running hospitals, there may be some tribal health clinics but I don't think the tribes of the Flathead have anything to do with the hospital in Polson. I wouldn't go to a hostipal that didn't have a name starting with "Saint" !

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by kandice33

Wow, I REALLY appreciate all of the info that has been shared! A few things that might clarify why I am interested in this in the first place: I will be working for the government and would be able to use my Florida nursing license and have all the benefits of working for gov't. I would have LOVED to work on the Flathead reservation-I fell in love with Polson the minute we pulled into town! Unfortunately the Flathead hospitals are run by the tribe and do not receive gov't assistance which took it out of the running. I want to be near the mountains and I realize that I do only get the fresh out of college experience once and given the opportunity I want to be able to be near the mountains as much as possible. I am not the typical graduate in that I'm not in my early 20's so I have experienced "life in the big city" and have hated it! I realize that it's not going to be the best possible scenario working in Browning and that I will need to make the most of it. In which case I also have the chance to change locations if need be, but I want to at least try. I am just hoping to make it out alive! Which reminds me-I have my concealed weapons permit and it will carry over into Montana, but I'm not sure if it will carry over on the reservation. Does anyone know? I realize that I cannot take a gun into the hospital itself, but if they were even allowed on the reservation itself. Thanks again to everyone who has share, it has been very informative!

Two things. First of all, go for the job if that's what you want to do. But my advice is nursing is an "in demand" job right now and there are lots of places you can work at in the mountains if that is what you want to do. I don't consider Cut Bank to be "in the mountains" but if that's where you want to be, go for it!

Second, as far as gun: What would you use it for on the reservation? I can't say if it is allowed, but if you feel so unsafe that you need a gun, I'd live and work elsewhere. If you ever had to use a gun on the reservation for self-defense, I would not count on the police or tribal court being fair with you.

Just my thoughts.

[kandice33]

Originally Posted by bigtrees

Second, as far as gun: What would you use it for on the reservation? I can't say if it is allowed, but if you feel so unsafe that you need a gun, I'd live and work elsewhere. If you ever had to use a gun on the reservation for self-defense, I would not count on the police or tribal court being fair with you.

I carry one now and feel safe where I live, but there are far too many crazy people out there and you never know when one might walk into your life. I would not want to have to use it and it is a last line of defense, but I want to be prepared if necessary. Who knows maybe when I move I will decide not to carry one anymore, but I wanted to see if there were certain regulations about it on the reservation. Thanks for the tip about the police and tribal court

[seven of nine]

thanks for the info, sounds like you have this worked out and since it sounds like you are not a kiddo go for it! Another option that is popular here are travelers, or in other states they are called agency nurses. I am new to Montana, over a year now, and believe me you can pick your place to work in your field. Learn about the weather and be a good girl scout and be prepared! Best of Luck.

[JetMech72]

If there are questions about the Tribe, itself, why not contact a tribal council member?