Indian Nations of Montana: Fort Belknap

THE PEOPLE

The Fort Belknap Reservation is home to two tribes, the Assiniboine and the Gros Ventre, with a combined enrollment of about 2,800.

LOCATION

The combined reservation and additional tribal lands encompasses 705,067 acres of the plains and grasslands of north-central Montana.

ECONOMY

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the tribe are the major employers. The reservation is working to develop tourism and a market for handcrafted Native American arts and crafts.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Fort Belknap Community College, Fort Belknap Agency, MT 406-353-2607
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 Tourism Office and Information Center, Harlem, MT 406-353-2205
The Information Center also houses Fort Belknap Ventures, which features handcrafted Native American arts and crafts. Staff provide tours of the Mission, Snake Butte, ancient tepee rings and the tribal buffalo pasture.

Mission Canon / Natural Bridge, South of Hays
This scenic recreational canyon has picnic and camping areas. The Natural Bridge, Wilson Park, Devil's Kitchen, Needle Eye, and Kid Curry's Hideout are some of the most popular attractions.

Saint Paul's Mission Church, Hays, MT 406-353-2205
The mission was established in 1887 by the Bureau of Catholic Missions. Today, it serves as a kindergarten-through-eighth grade school.

For more information about the Fort Belknap Reservation, contact:
Fort Belknap Tourism Office, R.R. 1, Box 66, Fort Belknap Agency, Harlem, MT 59526 406-353-2205