To incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations among students the Blackfeet Nation is now offering to pay tribal members.
According to an announcement, online Blackfeet students between 12-17 are eligible to receive $250 per shot, up to $500, for getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Enrolled members in the Blackfeet tribe need to be attending school, and unenrolled students must reside on the reservation.
The tribal resolution that outlined the funding program stated “The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council finds that it is necessary to protect the vulnerable population and to reduce the infection rate by increasing the vaccination rate on the Blackfeet Reservation.”
Funding for the vaccine incentive program is provided by the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Taylar Stagner is Yellowstone Public Radio’s Report for America Indigenous Affairs reporter.
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