Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance has been watching the rapid resurgence of Covid cases and increasing hospitalizations around our state with great concern. In light of the discouraging trends, and after consulting with public health officials and extensive internal conversation, Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance has made the difficult decision to cancel or modify in-person events effective immediately and lasting through the end of September.
Changes include:
1. Cancelled - The Two Medicine Voices presentation by John Fraley scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26th. We will reschedule!
2. Cancelled – The IWFF Tour documentary film night scheduled for Sept. 8th. We will reschedule!
3. Modified - The Fall Gathering, scheduled for Sept. 17th - 19th.
a. Friday night’s kick-off with Dr. Cristina Eisenberg will be online-only.
b. Saturday’s main event with former Governor Steve Bullock has been modified. The event will be outside at the Glacier Park Lodge from 3 – 7 p.m.
c. Hikes into the Badger-Two Medicine will still be offered on Sunday, Sept. 19th.
d. The auction fundraiser will be hosted online Sept. 17 – 24 so both virtual and in-person attendees can participate.
e. Additional online-only events will be hosted during the week following the main event—more information coming soon.
If you already registered for the Fall Gathering, you will receive a separate email from us with more information about the changes shortly. If you have not registered, please join us virtually as registration for the main event is FULL.
The Gathering will continue to follow CDC guidelines and Blackfeet public health direction.
We decided to make these changes for the following reasons:
1. As an organization based on the Blackfeet Reservation, we are keenly aware of the impacts Covid has had on Native communities across our country and the successful effort the Blackfeet Nation has made to minimize the worse of the pandemic. We do not want to contribute in any way to the resurgence of Covid in our local community, nor the state, or to another shutdown.
2. In consulting with public health officials, it is clear that indoor, in-person events present the highest risk of spreading the Delta variant, including amongst vaccinated people.
3. With vaccination rates continuing to lag health expert recommendations, schools resuming, and breakthrough cases increasing, Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance has decided to err on the side of caution to in order to protect event participants, volunteers, staff, and our community. We’d rather regret our decision to limit in-person events than regret that we did not.
4. By deciding now, we can better offer you a virtual alternative to the Fall Gathering as well as provide you enough time to adjust your plans related to this and other events.
Please know we did not make this decision lightly. We are deeply disappointed, as I’m sure you are, that we find ourselves in this situation again. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and your continued support as we all navigate this resurgence of the pandemic. If you are struggling with the effects of the pandemic, please remember you are not alone. There are resources available to help.
We will get through this together, it might just take a bit longer than we had hoped. Take care of one another.
Please note, this decision does not affect the remaining Glacier-Two Medicine Walks we have scheduled – Elkcalf on Aug. 31 & Buffalo Lakes on Sept. 11th – nor the Walks at the Fall Gathering.