INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT PROGRAM
Walking Shield works with Joint U.S. military construction task forces consisting of Army Combat Engineers, Navy Seabees, Air Force Civil Engineers, and National Guard Units to build and construct and repair various infrastructures on Indian reservations. The Program utilizes various military branches Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) requirement to assign skilled military construction personnel and equipment to Indian reservations needing infrastructure improvements. Walking Shield plays an integral role in identifying tribal infrastructure needs, completing necessary applications, and coordinating logistical requirements on all projects. Walking Shield works with each respective Tribal government in the administration of each project to ensure quality assurance and effectiveness.
IRT projects have constructed over 950 miles of roads; drilled dozens of water wells; installed miles of new sewer, water, and utility lines; constructed culverts; coordinated a dam restoration project on Indian reservations. The following are examples of the worked performed by military construction personnel on these projects: masonry; engineering surveys, environmental assessments, earth removal, drilling, steelwork, concrete, roofing, plumbing and pipeline, sewer, lighting, heavy machine operation, road improvements, drainage culverts, emergency access to water towers, building new roadways, and installing water lines. Walking Shield’s infrastructure program has provided over $6,500,000 in assistance to tribes across the nation.
Some of the following Federally Recognized Tribes have benefited from this program: Hoopa, Santa Rosa, Crow, Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Spirit Lake, Fort Belknap, La Jolla, Northern Cheyenne, Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree, Red Lake, Yurok, Red Cliff, Mesa Grande, and Turtle Mountain.
