Blackfeet to honor Tester, Ament

Big Sandy's two most well-known residents will be honored by the Blackfeet Nation at 1 p.m. Friday.

The tribe will show its appreciation to Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., for their support in the effort to protect cultural lands

At a skateboard park-naming ceremony with Ament and Tester, the Blackfeet Nation will hold a special presentation to show the tribe’s appreciation for their support of the protection of the Badger-Two Medicine from oil drilling.

Tester; Ament, Harry Barnes, chair of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council and council Secretary Tyson Running Wolf, will take part in the ceremony.

“Jeff Ament and Senator Tester have always been friends to the Blackfeet and we’re grateful for their support in efforts to protect our people and culture,” said Running Wolf

He said the awards will be presented to the two from the 71,000 tribal members.

Ament was a skateboard fan and saw to it that a skateboard park was opened in his hometown. When he heard that there was interest in a skate park on the reservation, he paid for one to be built there.

Ament is now undertaking a similar project in Havre.