Frazer Celebrates Opening Of Center

Frazer and Fort Peck residents celebrated the long-time dream of a community hall in Frazer on June 13, with a grand opening.

The Freda Fourstar Omak’ce “One With Many Children” Frazer Community Hall opened with a ceremony that included a free meal. The Poplar River Boys performed two Honor Songs.

Tribal Executive Board member Dana Buckles congratulated the community on behalf of the Fort Peck Tribes’ administration. He noted that Frazer now has a top-notch facility for senior citizens to eat and for a lot of meetings to take place.

The facility includes a basketball court, volleyball court, kitchen, treadmills and weights.

“We’re happy for the people of Frazer. It’s long time coming but deserved,” Buckles said. “We know you will enjoy the building for a long time.”

The building is named after Freda Fourstar, who was a long-time advocate for the Frazer community. She lived from 1922 to 2017. Fourstar was known for attending many meetings throughout the reservation. “She never stopped until she got what she wanted,” Lana Fourstar said. “She wanted a community center for the longest time.”

“I’m very honored,” daughter Florence Fourstar said.

Speaker Lance Fourstar said that Freda always had the good of the community in her heart. “Grandma Freda was the voice and an advocate for the community center,” Lance said. “This is some thing great. I’m so glad that it got done.”

Presented gifts during the ceremony were Michael Turcotte, Lance Fourstar, Dana Buckles and Tom Weeks.

“This is the manifestation of grandma’s dream,” Lance said.

Editor’s Note: This story was reprinted with permission from the Northern Plains Independent June 20, 2024, issue.