Sep 30, 2026
Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board Approves $175 Per-Capita Payment
Story Credit: Louis Montclair
The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board has approved a $175 per-capita payment for tribal members.
The council discussed several possible amounts before the final vote. Councilwoman Roxanne Gourneau said during discussion that increasing the payment to $200 would require taking money from tribal reserves, while the $175 amount is based on income received by the Tribes.
Councilwoman Marva Chapman disagreed, saying she had previously spoken with the Tribes’ CFO and understood that $200 would have been feasible. Chapman noted, however, that $175 is still an increase from last year’s $150 payment.
Councilwoman Vernice Chopper also pushed for the higher amount, citing the rising costs of food, fuel and other necessities. Chopper made a separate motion for a $200 per-cap payment, seconded by Chapman, but the motion failed.
Before the final vote, the chairman said he had also spoken with the CFO and that moving forward with the higher amount would require a budget modification and more than nine votes.
The council then approved the $175 payment by a 9–1 (Charles Knowlton absent) vote, according to the final roll call.
With 13,087 enrolled tribal members, $175 per member represents approximately $2.29 million if all enrolled members are eligible.
The winter per-cap payment will be $175
