Our View: Congratulations to two Rocky Boy women

If you are looking for good news on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, look no further than the reservation’s health clinic.

For years, the clinic was nothing more than an ATM for people who wanted to dip into the Chippewa Cree Tribe’s treasury.

It seemed that one after another, clinic directors were indicted for various forms of embezzlement.

The clinic is under-funded by the federal government, and what little money got down to the clinic was syphoned off by the bigshots.

But recently there has been a 180-degree turn. The clinic has been cleaned up; the emphasis is helping out sick people.

The excellent job done by the present director, Mary Lynn Billy-Old Coyote, earned her a promotion.

Gov. Steve Bullock has named Billy-Old Coyote to head his new Office of Indian Health.

To replace her, the Rocky Boy Health Board tapped the highly respected Jessica Alcorn-Windy Boy.

The governor created the new office because he was concerned that Natives from Montana live 20 years less than non-Natives. This scandalous situation must not be allowed to continue, and Billy-Old Coyote faces a tough road ahead. We wish her the best of luck.

Windy Boy has a great reputation for community service, both at Rocky Boy and in Hill County at large.

She has served as chair of the Bullhook Community Health Center for the last two years.

Two fine women have been given new jobs. Congratulations to them and offer congratulations to the people they will serve. The public couldn’t ask for better-qualified people.