Public Health advisory: Belly River In Lower standoff
The Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) is urging all community members and visitors to exercise extreme caution when using the Belly River in the lower Standoff area due to ongoing public health and safety concerns.
With warm weather and the upcoming Kainai Powwow & Celebration, more people may be using the Belly River for recreation. However, current conditions pose a direct threat to both public health and environmental safety.
BTDH teams and outreach partners have identified the following serious risks:
- An encampment located near the riverbank with insufficient sanitation, resulting in human waste near the water
- The potential presence of discarded needles (sharps) in the surrounding area and water
Public health and outreach teams are working to:
- Assess and address immediate public health hazards
- Increase sharps collection and safe disposal efforts
- Explore temporary sanitation solutions
- Coordinate a long-term, community-led response to ensure safety
What you can do:
- Avoid swimming or wading in the affected area
- Report any sightings of discarded needles or concerning conditions
- For needle-stick injuries, contact the 24-hour response line immediately at 780-218-9929