HELENA, Mont. (AP) – The two factions of a divided Blackfeet Tribal Business Council have struck a deal to pay employees and vendors, the tribal chairman said, in the two sides’ first agreement more than a month into an impasse that has crippled tribal operations.

Chairman Willie Sharp Jr. announced the deal Wednesday on Browning radio station KBWG-FM, and the tribe posted audio of the announcement on its Facebook page. Checks are to be issued this week going back two pay periods, Sharp said.

“To say the least, it was a hardship, and we realize that,” he said. “But we would like to report that the payroll has been agreed upon.”

Tribal employees have received one paycheck since internal disputes split the governing council more than a month ago. The divide halted the tribe’s payroll as each faction called for its own designated person to be named tribal treasurer.

Each side called on the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to recognize its treasurer, but the federal agency decided such an action would infringe on the tribe’s sovereignty, BIA spokeswoman Nedra Darling said.

“We strongly encourage both factions to set their differences aside again and address this very important issue to ensure that the full faith and credit of the Blackfeet Tribe is not further compromised and that a crisis does not arise every time a tribal debt needs to be addressed,” she said.

The deal is the first breakthrough in the schism that has pitted four council members on one side against Sharp, Forrestina Calf Boss Ribs and three previously suspended council members on the other.

The two factions have sent out competing orders, news releases and memos to the public, bringing tribal operations to a near standstill.

Sharp did not provide details on the payroll deal struck between the two sides, and did not say whether the factions were negotiating a permanent reconciliation.

Neither Sharp nor state Sen. Shannon Augare, one of the leaders of the other faction, returned calls for comment Thursday.

Before Wednesday’s announcement, the two sides had met just once with no resolution. Sharp had issued an emergency declaration in which he sought recognition by the BIA and assistance from the Native American Bank to release funds to meet the tribe’s payroll and pay its debts.

Darling said the BIA will continue to offer mediation services but the solution must come from the tribal council itself.