Lame Deer out of water – again

LAME DEER, Mont. – For seven days (second week of January, 2026) more than 2,500 residents of Lame Deer, Mont., the largest community on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation were without water.

Water is becoming an issue of great public concern on the Northern Cheyenne, as broken pipes, water pumps, industrial accidents have caused water services to be interrupted several times in the past year or so, causing hardship and health concerns, especially for the elderly and home bound. This latest incident, for example comes on the heels of a water caused by a contractor who ruptured a major water line during the process of excavation on a building site located adjacent to the Tribal Office on Cheyenne Avenue in Lame Deer.

In this instance, the main pump malfunctioned. It then became very difficult to get the right replacement which had to be installed and wired by an electrician specializing in such services. Once the problem was diagnosed, too more time to get a replacement pump and for that for that professional to travel to the remote reservation to make necessary repairs.

Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher wears many hats: former two-term tribal President; nearly two decades of service on the Tribal Council, including now and Chairman of the Northern Cheyenne Utilities Commission (NCUC) for another twenty years or so. He briefly explained the problem. “The water/sewer infrastructure is crumbling and needs to replaced, which will require many millions to repair. The existing system was first built in the 1950’s, expanded many times for new housing developments; tribal office buildings and businesses, both private and tribal.

The Utilities Commission had a study conducted some years back. Although individuals, schools, the Tribe and business pay for water; that only brings in enough to keep the Utilities program going. In order to do the massive replacement, the Tribe would have to get grants or loans. The NCUC hopes that the Tribal Government will make that a priority. Water is the most important thing.”

While the Indian Health Service does have a program to drill wells on homesites on the Reservation; it is unclear if they have the responsibility or funding for a community wide water delivery system. A special appropriation from Congress might be necessary to fund the wholesale repair/replacement of the system.

As of Monday, January 12, water services have been largely restored. During the outage, water services were ‘spotty’. The ‘West Side’ housing area, for example had water throughout the ordeal. In the downtown area of Lame Deer, one house might have water while the next house did not. It all relates to the deteriorating underground water lines.

As of this report, it has been difficult to contact other tribal officials for comment as the Tribal Office, all tribal programs and the B.I.A. were closed during the most recent water crises, due to health and safety concerns.

However, tribal business basically came to a halt during the water crises. In addition, local schools, including the Tribal College, Lame Deer Public were also closed as was the Boy’s and Girls’ Club, normally first to offer assistance in case of community emergency.

On the other hand, the Indian Health Service Clinic remained open offering porta-potties at the front entrance. They are well prepared for such emergencies, having an alternative plan for water to run the clinic in a safe and sanitary manner during such situation. Area business – the local grocery store, tribal convenience store, tribal Casino as the Flower Grinder, a private business also remained open. There was a brisk business in water sales.

The NCUC distributed cases of individual bottled water, prioritizing elders and the home bound, which does not go far for a large household. The also arranged for large tanks of potable water, good for toilet flushing and related matters, but not for consumption or cooking. Some tribal programs such as NCUC also provided bottled water. Yet, many residents reported not being able to shower or cook during that time. Of course, toilet facilities pose another serious problem when there is no water.

Some residents resorted to going to Billings to spend a night or two in a motel, just to take showers or do laundry. After several days, President Small gained agreement from Lame Deer Public Schools for tribal members to use the school showers, a communal situation offering very little privacy.

As one local wit stated “We were promised our basic needs when the Reservation was formed for “as long that grass shall grow and the water flow. The grass is still growing, but the water is not flowing.”

Ironically, during the 2024 Tribal election, there was a similar water breakdown. Then a candidate, President Small personally delivered water making the campaign pledge to “make water an opportunity.” The current situation provides good opportunity to fulfill that promise.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

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