Many folks in and around Belcourt refer to themselves as "Metchif," a rich culture of the descendants of Chippewa and some Cree American Indians as well as French and Scots traders. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa holds federal recognition and has sovereignty over the Turtle Mountain Reservation.

Belcourt is home to Turtle Mountain Community College, with its superb facility, and some tribally owned industry. Nearby is the attractive and hospitable Sky Dancer facility.

Now Belcourt and the reservation have a full-fledged bank. As far as is known, it's the only bank on a reservation privately owned by American Indians.

The Turtle Mountain State Bank is owned by individuals. As such, it operates under the same laws and regulations as other banks in the state. Just because it's on a reservation gives it no special breaks. It's a business that has to stand on its own.

A bank in Rolla, off the reservation, has had a branch in Belcourt, but it doesn't offer all the services of a full-service bank. People in town and elsewhere on the reservation can't even open a bank account in the Belcourt branch.

The need for everything a bank does is now met - offering accounts and accepting applications for loans.

It's a hopeful sign in a place where hope is a valuable asset. Not having a full-service bank probably has stood in the way of some businesses opening in Belcourt. It would be a wonderful thing if that changes with the advent of the bank.

Not that operating the bank, as with any new business, is necessarily smooth sailing. But its owners bring skills and business experience.

One of them is well-known in Bismarck-Mandan and in the wider world. Jim Laducer, who established Laducer and Associates here, has a long history of success in business. He has deep roots in the Turtle Mountain Reservation and holds tribal membership. The other majority owners likewise have membership, are widely known on the reservation and have business minds. Laducer, Phyllis Jollie and Ken. L. Davis have the largest stake in the bank, but a smart move was to allow a 2 percent share to a man who knows the banking business expertly, Gerald Willer, president of a Bismarck bank.

Since the bank opened on Dec. 3, it has attracted 150 customers. It's a good start.

Giving people an opportunity to deposit money is an opportunity to encouage saving and a way to chip away at the poverty rate on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. It's not that people there don't have money; it's more good jobs people need. The 2000 census found that 49.6 percent of families and 53.9 percent of the population in the Belcourt CDP - census-designated place (Belcourt is not incorporated) - fell below the poverty level.

The people of Belcourt, the reservation and the tribe could benefit from the economic stimulus the bank might help bring.