Fort Belknap Indian Community

CONTACT INFORMATION

Fort Belknap Indian Community
656 Agency Main Street
Harlem, MT 59526
Phone: (406) 353-2205 | Fax: (406) 353-4541
Official Website: www.ftbelknap.org

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

POINTS OF INTEREST

Aaniiih Nakoda 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

TRIBAL GOVERNMENT

Constitution and By-laws for the
Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation

Fort Belknap Indian Community Council consists of the President and the Vice President, who are elected to serve a four year term. Eight Council Members, consisting of four Gros Ventres and four Assiniboine members are elected every two years. The President and Vice President appoint a Secretary Treasurer, who serves four years.

Meet the current membership of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council: www.ftbelknap.org

FAST FACTS

• Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, headquartered in Fort Belknap Agency, is ranked fifth in land base with 652,000 acres.
• There are 6,693 enrolled tribal members, of whom 3,429 live on or near the reservation.
• The reservation is home to two tribes, the Assiniboine and the Gros Ventre. The Assiniboine refer to themselves as "Nakoda" meaning the generous ones. The Gros Ventre call themselves "A-A-NI-NIN" meaning the White Clay People.
• The main industry is agriculture, consisting of cattle ranches, raising alfalfa hay for feed and larger dry land farms.
• The tribe's annual celebrations include Lodgepole Pow Wow in June. Milk River Indian Days in July and Hays Pow Wow in August.