Fort Belknap offices close during inauguration

Havre Daily News staff

Fort Belknap Indian Community offices are closed from today through Thursday as a precaution in case of violence related to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, the community council announced in a release on its Facebook page.

“There have been no direct threats made to the (Fort Belknap Indian Community),” the release said, “but the FBIC Council has decided it is best to be cautious and require workers to work from home and close all FBIC buildings Tuesday-Thursday, January 19, 20 and 21.”

The nation’s capitol and state capitols have been under heightened security since rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, temporarily shutting down congressional certification of the electoral votes that gave Biden the presidency.

Members of the Montana National Guard have been sent to Washington to help provide security this week and state capitols including in Helena have increased security after FBI warned of plans for armed protests at all state capitols and at the nations’s capitol in the days leading up to Biden’s inauguration.

The Fort Belknap release said no documents can be dropped off to the Tribal Administration Building but documents can be sent by email or faxed to 406-353-4541.

The release said the closure includes the Hays District Office at John Capture Center and the Lodge Pole District Office at Enemy Killer Center as well as all agency, Hays and Lodge Pole tribal offices.

The Fort Belknap council said it is encouraging everyone on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation to stay at home during the period and also reminded the Fort Belknap Indian Community that its COVID-19 stay-at-home order is in place through Jan. 25.

“This action is a general precaution to the recent national activities,” the release said.