4 Bears Water Park opens for the summer

By: Hannah Davis

See story shared on MyNDNow.com here.

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It may have been 100 degrees, but that didn't stop Isabel Flores and her family from lining up two hours early to be the first into the new 4 Bears Water Park for opening day.

"I want to go on the slides and probably go on the lazy river," says Flores, a New Town resident.

The new park is part of an initiative to get residents outside and moving.

"All the things that we're doing relate to trying to provide recreation for families and recreation for our children and make them active. Got problems with diabetes on this reservation, and so we want to continue to promote healthy lifestyles," says Mark Fox, MHA Nation Chairman.

It's been about a decade since the New Town area has last had a public pool to call their own, and although they are close to Lake Sakakawea, the chairman wanted to provide a safe alternative.

"This is a huge lake and it's not always safe, so if we build this, we have a safe place: lifeguards, kids can swim safely. We don't want them just venturing out swimming anywhere along the lake," says Fox.

12 lifeguards will rotate throughout the day to keep watch in the heat.

"Lots of sunscreen, stay hydrated. It's very easy to get dehydrated because you think you're in the water and you're hydrated up, but -no, dehydration happens quite often," says Dennis Bunner, Lead Lifeguard.

"It could've been raining, it could've been 50 degrees: this is North Dakota, but here -it is hot- but this is what it's for," says Fox.

Staying cool at the pool.

The water park will be open every day from 11:00AM to 7:00PM from now until Labor Day Weekend, and it only costs $5 to get in.

Public Notice and Request for Comments on the Proposed Enactment of the MHA Nation Water Use and Administration Code of the Three Affiliated Tribes

Public Notice and Request for Comments on the Proposed Enactment of the MHA Nation Water Use and Administration Code of the Three Affiliated Tribes

 

Copies may also be obtained from the Three Affiliated Tribes Fort Berthold Rural Water Department,
at the 308 Four Bears Complex, New Town, ND 58763

 

Opportunity to Comment.

The purpose of this notice is to invite comments on the proposed Water Use and Administration Code.  The Tribe will then consider all comments, and will determine the extent to which changes may be needed before making a final decision on the amendments.  Any amendments to the law would then be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior for approval and publication in the Federal Register.

Anyone wishing to comment on the Tribe’s proposed Water Use and Administration Code may do so by submitting comments in writing to the following:
 

Fort Berthold Rural Water
308 Four Bears Complex
New Town, ND 58763
Email: fbrwreceptionist@mhanation.com
 

Comments must be received by 4:30 PM CST on July 13, 2018.
 

MHA Nation Water Use and Administration Code

New Town Elementary Students Plant Trees

Submitted Photo | Students from New Town Elementary School planted trees in the northern area of New Town on Wednesday during the first tree planting initiative. The tree planting is an initiative of Three Affiliated Tribes Councilwoman Dr. Monica Mayer.

NEW TOWN – New Town Elementary School students – 550 of them – in kindergarten through Grade 5 took part in the first tree planting initiative held on Wednesday.

The tree planting is an initiative of Three Affiliated Tribes Councilwoman Dr. Monica Mayer.

Purpose of the tree planting is to encourage environmental awareness with youth. Every student who planted a tree received a certificate to commemorate their efforts.

Seven tree types native to North Dakota, were planted by the elementary students in the northern area of New Town. The trees included ponderosa pine, Juneberry, hackberry, Ohio buckeye, Black Hills spruce, Meyer spruce and burr oak. Tree types were carefully selected according to their survival rate in western North Dakota weather.

“Today is a very important day for you, and you are doing your part to help make oxygen for our environment by planting trees today,” Mayer told the students.

The tree planting initiative was made possible through teamwork efforts from the North Segment Office of Councilwoman Mayer, the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT) Environmental Division, TAT Solid Waste Program, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College Science Department, New Town City Council, TAT Game & Fish Program, TAT Roads Department, Natural Resources Conservation Services and the Edwin Loe Elementary students, staff, and teachers.

MHA Champions for Change

The Tribal Education Department is partnering with the Casey Family Programs and the Center for Native American Youth to offer the MHA Champions for Change youth leadership program. We are have extended our deadline and will be accepting applications and nominations until Friday, May 18th. If you know an outstanding MHA youth (ages 14-23) in one of the segments or Bismarck/Mandan, please encourage them to apply or nominate them!  Please contact Ruth Swaney with any questions at 701-627-4113 or rswaney@mhanation.com.

The MHA Champions for Change program is a Native youth leadership initiative designed to highlight positive stories of impact from the MHA Nation. The program is modeled after the Center for Native American Youth’s Champions for Change program that was inspired by a 2011 White House initiative, which develops young Native leaders through experience-based learning and tailored advocacy training.

The MHA will select seven inspirational Native youth (one from each segment and one from Bismarck/Mandan, ages 14-23) to join the CFC leadership network. All applicants, regardless of acceptance, are named Youth Ambassadors. Champions are Native youth who initiate programs, events, or other efforts that are improving the lives of fellow youth in Indian Country. Champions enter a close working relationship with the MHA Education Department and the Center for Native American Youth benefit from a variety of resources that enhance their advocacy skills. (EXTENDED DEADLINE: May 18, 2018. All application materials must be submitted to MHA Education Department, 404 Frontage Rd, New Town, ND 58763)
A complete application will include the following:

  • Youth Leader Application (with essay attached)
  • Two Recommendation forms from Adults familiar with your work
  • One Peer Recommendation form completed by someone around your age who can speak to your leadership.

MHA Champions for Change Youth Leader Application

MHA Champions for Change Peer Nomination Form

MHA Champions for Change Adult Recommendation/Nomination Form