State and Tribes recognize training achievements of HAWKS

By Alyssa Kelly

Completing participants of the HAWKS program included Melanie Joseph, Delinda Finley, Nicholette Spang, Rachael Nichols, and Kenneth Flammond. State of Montana representative Hank Hudson came to congratulate each participant. (Alyssa Kelly photo)

PABLO - "It isn't enough to get people off public assistance," says State of Montana representative Hank Hudson. "The change needs to be sustaining. In order to do that, we need to teach people job skills so they could provide for their families in the long run."

Representatives of the State of Montana and the tribes held a ceremony last week to recognize HAWKS graduates and their training achievements. Graduates include Kenneth Flammond, Rachael Nichols, Nicholette Spang, Delinda Finley, and Melanie Joseph. Each received specific training certificates as well as a personal citation from MT Governor Brian Schweitzer for diligence through the completion of all training areas.

HAWKS is a result of a discretionary family self-sufficiency program called Montana Works. Montana Works is a pilot program with Montana Peaks, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Blackfeet Tribe, and the state of Montana. It was also a result of bonus funding awarded to the program from the governor and the state.

The goal of HAWKS is to offer community-service oriented training to selected members of the CSKT and Blackfeet tribes who were receiving public assistance. "We are hoping that these graduates will inspire others with setbacks to follow their possibilities and continue to learn and gain new skills," says Hudson.

Delinda Finley is a member of CSKT and she was referred to the program through her caseworker. "Once we got started I really got into it. I wanted (the certifications) so I could help clean-up during disasters," says Finley. "But it turned out to be more than I expected. We (the participants) became really close and encouraged each other to stick through it."

During the time of the training, Finley faced life changes that might have discouraged others. "I (gave birth to) my little girl during the program," says Finley. "I lost my daughter (Tina Louise) due to a car wreck, I had to take care of my kids, and keep my boys out of trouble."

Trainers of the program had an understanding of the hardships faced by participants and worked flexibly to ensure that all could complete their training. Finley held strong to the commitment she made to complete the program. "I just knew that when I finished I would come out with more than I started," says Finley.

Although she has no set plans on how she will utilize the training she has received, Finley looks to future trainings through the same program. "I put in for a few jobs around here but I'm waiting to go on clean-ups (like FEMA) to make money, "says Finley. "I hear they are thinking of starting training in meth clean-up for the reservations and I'll be part of it they do."

Of the 11 HAWKS participants that began the program, five persevered and completed extensive training in fields that included MT Local Technical Assistance Program/Montana Department of Transportation Flagging and Safe Work Zone Certification, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Construction Safety & Health, OSHA Hazardous Waste Operation & Emergency Response, OSHA Disasters Site Worker-Program Card, Fannie Mae Economic & Building Native Communities Financial Skills for Families, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises/Woman Owned Business Enterprises Business, Native Economic Empowerment Training, Toyota Forklift and Bobcat Operations Certification, University of Kansas Learning Strategy Certification and American Welding Society Certification, all of which, the participants began in April.

During the ceremony held to recognize the completed participants, Yamncut sang an honor song for their achievements. Prominent speakers included Tribal Council Vice Chair Carole Lankford, State of Montana Issue Policy Advisor Anna Whiting Sorrell, and Montana Peaks representative Mary Danford. The participants, as well as their families were also catered to a luncheon provided by Montana Peaks.