Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S U M M E R 2 0 1 8 66 And, look, an eighth point of light near Great Falls. at's the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa—one of the state's dozen of- ficially recognized tribal nations even though federal designation is still pending for the Little Shell. To receive that status, a tribe must have "existed at first contact with Europeans, or evolved as a successor." e US recognizes 571 tribes. is designation reaffirms "sovereign nation" status with their own tribal governments. According to Montana Indians: eir History and Location, 6.5% of Montana's population—some 78,000 people – have a tribal heri- tage. Many follow tribal news online and live in urban areas, such as Missoula, Helena, Great Falls and Billings. "Lots of tribes have Facebook pages and digital platforms," says Mike Jetty, an Indian Education Specialist with the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). "Want to learn Blackfeet? ere's an app. at's exciting." Seven tribal colleges—a U.S. record—also shine in Montana In- dian Country. Each reservation has a two-year college (open to all), thanks in large part to tribal leaders. "Education matters greatly to American Indian people," says Dr. Kate Shanley, a professor of Native American Studies at the University of Montana—home to America's first building dedicated to Native Americans. "e Payne Family Native American Center is a tremendous achievement," she says, "but the next step for the building is to develop strong funding for the work that will increasingly power American Indian scholars and future leaders." Take the Center's Land and Culture Institute, for example. Named after the Black- feet woman who helped win the Indian Trust Settlement, Elouise Cobell, the Institute provides needed learning and tools, such as GIS drought mapping, for "future of Native American communities." Distinct as they all are, Montana tribes share many cultural traits, including a strong love of family and songs, storytelling, sacred rituals, artwork, and games. ey also share a history of conflict. Before the European push for beaver pelts, gold and farmland, Northwest tribes were more apt to gather for gaming competitions than warfare, which needed tribal consensus (including from women). Many tribes were also famous for "counting coup," touching the enemy, but not harming, in battle. When horses, guns and more competition for resources (buffalo) arrived, encounters became more deadly. US government military battles, such as the Little Big Horn or Big Hole, are easy to find on a Montana map; other tribally significant events, like the Marias Massacre, are not. To learn more about Big Sky tribes, visit their homelands (ask about tribal permits). Online resources include www.tribalnations.mt.gov/ and www.montanatribes.org/. Also visit the OPI, which helps imple- ment the landmark "Indian Education for All" legislation, at www.opi. mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Indian-Education by GLENDA S. WALLACE M O N T A N A ' S T R I B A L C U LT U R E M ONTANA'S INDIAN RESERVATIONS TANTALIZE HISTORY AND CULTURE LOVERS ALIKE. Traveling around the state to visit them is like tracing a constellation of stars: you can start at the Flathead, go north to the Blackfeet, then east to Rocky Boy's, Fort Belknap and Fort Peck, and then southwest for the Northern Cheyenne and Crow. DONNIE SEXTON Andrew Windy Boy, participating in North American Indian Days, Browning

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