It probably comes as no great surprise to people familiar with Browning to learn that with high rates of unemployment and financial shortages there are many folks who are homeless and/or on the streets. Recent meetings of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council have brought out speakers concerned about people on the streets and what might be done to address the issue.

One entity in Blackfeet Country, the Medicine Bear Shelter, has been dealing with homelessness and poverty on an up-close and personal basis for many years. Recently they've begun to offer some of those people hope in the form of education, employment and a place in the community.

"We don't have a building, but we always wanted to do more than just having people come in and eat," said Medicine Bear Shelter Director Mercedes Old Person. "So I watched Debbie Bullshoe one time, and I call her a 'go-getter'-she's a person who gets things done so I got her on board as a resource officer for our clients to help them better, for detox, getting disability, Medicaid whatever their needs are."

In reaching out to the community, Bullshoe attended several meetings of local entities, including Blackfeet Manpower, and learned about resources that might be directed toward Medicine Bear Shelter clients. "She connected with them and got people some training and maybe some help with housing, like the first month's rent and deposit. Debbie's really been an asset to the program," said Old Person. The director said that she, Dorothy Still Smoking and Bullshoe have submitted a grant proposal to renovate the shelter, and they expect a decision by this September.

Tom Vielle is one of Bullshoe's success stories. "I was downtown on the street," he said, "and I went to the Shelter for a daily meal. It was one meal a day, but it was something to look forward to. Then I'd be drinking, but that gets tiresome and old so I was looking for work and cutting back and looking for work and cutting back more, and finally I asked at the Medicine Bear Shelter. Debbie said 'I'll see what I can do.' It took a couple months, but the Lord blessed me with a job."

Vielle found a job at the Shelter in security, maintenance, stocking supplies and bringing food to the cooks. "I hand out food when it's needed; wherever I'm needed, that's where I'll be," he said.

Medicine Bear Kitchen

Karen Running Wolf

One of Vielle's primary inspirations is his son, Trace Vielle, who is now boxing at 80 pounds. "He plays a big role in my strength here on earth – a little guy needing help. I'm working so I can buy him shoes and boxing gloves. I feel like I've got a purpose in life today."