The MHA Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes, is a tribal nation of more than 17,000 enrolled members. Our peoples have lived in the Missouri River Basin for thousands of years. Today, many of us live on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota, about 300 miles west of Fargo.
In the last five years, with a charge from MHA Nation Chairman Mark N. Fox, we stood up, grew and now maintain the first-ever emergency operations center in Indian Country. Our new facility is staffed 24/7 as a hub of coordination and control during large-scale disasters and complex emergencies.
In the fall of 2024, we collaborated with an array of partners to contain the Bear Den Fire near Mandaree, N.D., one of a series of blazes in the state that burned more than 100,000 acres. One-third of our facility is dedicated to woodland fire management.
Additionally, our staff is uniquely equipped to handle crises with missing or murdered Indigenous people (MMIP). Last year, as a community on the front line of this crisis, we added a search and rescue division with a trailing K-9 unit.
We regularly partner with state, federal, county, local and tribal agencies. We specifically designed indoor and outdoor training areas to increase the readiness of tribal partners and others across the region when we’re not responding to emergencies.
From that small room in the back of a gym five years ago, we developed a world-class COVID-19 response for our people and others nearby. Then we kept going until we’d created a first-of-its-kind operations center, staffed by an All-Hazards Incident Management team that’s looked to as a leader by Native and non-Native responders alike.
Along the way, we naturally learned many lessons, which we share here not only for other tribal nations building emergency response centers, but for all communities preparing themselves to take on climate disasters and other catastrophes.
Prioritize open and transparent communication: At the heart of the MHA EOC’s work is the belief that everyone’s voice matters. Whether it’s leadership, first responders or community members, we make sure that everyone is included in the conversation. By building strong lines of communication and making space for all stakeholders, we’ve created a culture of collaboration that prioritizes the needs of the entire community. We understand that every project — big or small — is shaped by those it will impact.
Build trust and collaboration: MHA EOC has been persistent in working to build trust at all levels. We take the time to explain why preparedness and mitigation matter, making sure everyone is involved and on the same page. Through community outreach or close collaboration with other agencies, we focus on education and empowerment. With many agencies and programs operating side by side, it’s easy to fall into silos. So, for us, breaking down those barriers and strengthening partnerships has made a significant difference.
Resourcefulness is key to everything: We don’t see limitations; we see opportunities. By rethinking how Federal Emergency Management Agency and Incident Command System principles can address local challenges, or finding creative, unconventional solutions, we approach every problem with fresh ideas and an open mind. This mindset, along with a clear understanding of the issues and a vision for solving them, helps us reach beyond usual answers when necessary. It’s this approach that allows our team to create solutions that truly work for the communities we serve.
Capacity building takes time but creates long-term benefits: Building a strong team, complete with training, professional development, and infrastructure, required significant time and investment. But these efforts have paid off and will continue to do so by enhancing our ability to manage incidents and reducing reliance on external support.
Look beyond the now, plan for the future: We aim to increase the representation of the Three Affiliated Tribes at all levels — local, state and federal — by participating in boards, advisory panels, and decision-making processes. Through a proactive approach to problem-solving, we are working hard to shape the future of emergency management on Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. We strive to be fast, efficient and impactful while expanding our reach and influence.
While our team believed in Chairman Fox’s vision from the outset, none of us knew then how far we’d take it. There are lessons to be learned from all agencies serving their communities in the time of emergency — and likely many more lessons ahead in a changing world.
Emily Sitting Bear is director of MHA Nation’s Emergency Operations Center and her tribe’s first search and rescue trailing K-9 handler.
