Angela Brandt
Havre Daily News
abrandt@havredailynews.com
A group working on forming a Hi-Line Human Relations Commission will meet on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the District IV Human Resources Development Council board room.
Items on the agenda include defining specific goals, responsibilities and authority of the commission. Also, structuring the organization in terms of funding and membership will be discussed.
Rocky Boy tribal council member and state representative Jonathan Windy Boy said the group has identified a lot of issues and will now work on reaching its goals.
The commission will address concerns of the residents of Hill County, Blaine County, Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and surrounding communities.
Windy Boy said Havre-based Opportunity Link, a nonprofit group that works to reduce poverty, will be partnering with the relations commission's efforts.
“We are trying to reach the same goals and it's time to combine efforts,” said Windy Boy, who is an Opportunity Link board member and former board chair.
He said the partnership will be discussed at Thursday's meeting.
Chuck Grant, who has been attending the commission meetings, said he hopes to have committees set up and agreements made at the meeting.
Hill County Commission chair Kathy Bessette said she is excited about getting involved with the group. Thursday will be her first meeting
“I think now it's getting into the productive stage and I hope to see solutions at the meeting,” she said.
The creation of a relations commission was sparked by discussion of racial issues after an article on racism in Havre, written by a University of Montana journalism student last year, appeared in the Great Falls Tribune. U.S. Department of Justice mediator Grace Sage has visited the Havre area several times since.
Interested members of the community are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will last from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided by Opportunity Link.
