CSKT Bison Range receives grant to add ADA amenities

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Bison Range is among 310 grantees nationwide recently selected to receive an AARP Community Challenge Grant. The $20,000 grant will finance Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant amenities for tribal and community elders and mobility-challenged visitors.

Grant funding will allow the CSKT Bison Range (CSKT-BR) to enhance the Visitor Center/Day Use Area with an outdoor community shelter and ADA-compliant fire rings, grills and picnic tables designed to help tribal elders, families, and older visitors access the outdoors while connecting with history and culture.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Bison Range for this investment to make the Flathead Reservation more livable for residents of all ages,” said Whisper Camel-Means, Natural Resource Division Manager. “AARP is a nationwide leader in making communities more livable and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our area.”

In partnership with the Heart of the Rockies Initiative and their Rural Development Program, CSKT submitted a proposal to AARP’s Community Challenge grant program and was awarded $20,000. The Tribes were one of only 310 grantees selected out of more than 3,600 applications received from across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The program aims to make tangible improvements that jump-start long-term change in communities. It is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. To learn more, visit aarp.org/Livable.

CSKT-BR staff will purchase the ADA-compliant materials in the coming weeks and plans to host a future community event to install the new amenities.

“We are excited to provide these accessible commodities at the CSKT Bison Range Visitor Center/Day Use area for our tribal community and visitors to use and enjoy while connecting to our history, culture and the outdoors,” says Camel-Means.

For more information, email bisonrange@cskt.org.