Brad Pitt's foundation promises homes for Fort Peck Tribe

A deal with Hollywood actor turned architect Brad Pitt and his "Make It Right" foundation to give houses to those in need has built exactly zero of the 20 homes promised on the reservation since 2011.

In a promotional video on the foundation's website, the four locations in the foundation's plan are highlighted.

"From apartments for disabled veterans in New Jersey, to mixed-use housing helping kids leaving foster care in Missouri, to homes for Native Americans in Montana," the sound of Brad Pitt's voice states.

"That's what they told us," said Fort Peck Tribal Council Executive Board Member Tommy Christian. "We have 20 of the best architects in the whole world under us and we're gonna come and save you Indians from yourselves."

Now tribal councilman Tommy Christian, along with the rest of the Fort Peck tribal council, questions if it's the foundation the tribe needs saving from.

"This project has caused a lot of division on our council," said Councilman Garret Big Leggins. "And we've got councilmen who are mad at each other for the way this has developed and we feel like we're stuck."And homes that still stand hold two, sometimes three or more families each.

When the New Orleans-based foundation approached the tribe with a solution, the idea was hard to pass up.

In 2011, former Councilman Stoney Anketel sealed the deal with the "Make It Right" foundation, a commitment to build 20 sustainable homes for free.

But when Anketel was not re-elected in 2013, the tribe lost its main connection with the Pitt's foundation.

And after Anketel left Fort Peck and moved to Washington state, the word "free" left the reservation as well.

"At the beginning, that we wouldn't have to put in nothing and now we're talking a little over a half million dollars we have to put in to get this project going," said Councilman Dana Buckles.

The tribe committed $600,000 in a good faith deposit. But the buck did not stop there.

Fort Peck Journal reporter Louis Montclair watched tensions rise at tribal council meetings as the costs piled up.

"Make It Right does build houses, they will build the houses for free, you know their architects," said Montclair. "But they don't do infrastructure, though."

Infrastructure - the sewer system, water main, developed land - add up to $2.6 million in seemingly unexpected costs.

Deb Madison, a board member of Integrated Solutions, the company charged with the build, said the tribe wasted time and in turn wasted money.

"The tax credit situation, if we'd moved as fast as we had initially promised to, we would have got a higher bid because at one point we had three people who wanted in on this project and now we're down to one," said Madison.

The price grew and the tribe had to decide: Commit the $2.6 million or bail and lose the deposit.

Cutting loses would also mean defaulting on $5 million in tax credits and, thus, broken credit.

After a 6-to-5 vote in February, the tribe decided to take the loan and build the homes.

"That $2.6 is not only for the sustainable village but it's covering everything as a whole in case there's future development there and all that infrastructure will already be there," said Buckles.

SOURCE