Nakoda A'aninin Fort Belknap

THE PEOPLE

The Fort Belknap Reservation is home to two tribes, the Assiniboine, or Nakoda, and the Gros Ventre, who refer to themselves as A'aninin or "People of the White Clay." Combined enrollment is approximately 4,000.

LOCATION

The combined reservation and additional tribal lands encompass 650,000 acres of the plains and grasslands of northcentral Montana.

ECONOMY

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the tribe are the major employers. The Little Rockies Meat Packing Company, Inc. is the first tribally owned, USDA-inspected meat packing facility in the U.S. The Reservation is working to develop tourism and marketing Native American artisans. The tribes manage a 300-head buffalo herd. Antelope, bird and gopher hunts are available; licenses and guides are required.

Fort Belknap Tourism Office

R.R. 1, Box 66
Fort Belknap Agency
Harlem, MT 59526
406-353-8473
Fax: 406-353-2797
Fort Belknap Indian Community Council: www.ftbelknap.org

POINTS OF INTEREST

Fort Belknap Community College

Two-year associate's degrees in the Arts and Sciences are offered, along with one-year certificates. The Tribal Archives are located on campus, along with a student-built library.

Fort Belknap Agency
406-353-2607

Fort Belknap Tourism Office and Information Center

The Information Center offers RV parking, showers and picnic grounds.

Harlem
406-353-8471 or 406-353-8473

Mission Canyon/Natural Bridge

Popular attractions in this scenic area include the Natural Bridge, Wilson Park, Devil's Kitchen, and Needle Eye and Kid Curry's Hideout. Picnicking and camping available.

South of Hays

Saint Paul's Mission Church

Established in 1887 by the Bureau of Catholic Missions, St. Paul's Mission Church now serves as a kindergarten through eighth grade school.

Hays
406-673-3300

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Fort Belknap Reservation Attractions

Fort Belknap Reservation Events