Native American Culture and History in Montana

Step into one of Montana's museums or cultural centers to discover curated exhibits, artifacts with thoughtful context on their significance and deeper learning opportunities. The Museum of the Plains Indian on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning highlights history, art and heritage of Northern Plains tribes, including several that have homelands in Montana today: the Blackfeet, Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, Assiniboine, Chippewa and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. On display, you'll find traditional clothing, weapons and horse gear in addition to contemporary artwork.

At the Three Chiefs Culture Center in Pablo, located on the Flathead Indian Reservation, learn about traditional and contemporary ways of life for the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille tribes. On the Fort Peck Reservation in northeastern Montana, the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Culture Center and Museum features permanent exhibits focused on Assiniboine and Sioux heritage, arts and crafts.

Explore Montana’s historic landscapes and step into the stories of Native Americans. At First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park in Ulm or Madison Buffalo Jump State Park in Three Forks, see the dramatic cliffs where Native Americans hunted bison for thousands of years, using every part of the animal to sustain their communities. Experience the Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook where Nez Perce warriors chose to surrender after a five-day battle and siege, or visit Big Hole National Battlefield near Wisdom to learn about the Nez Perce Flight of 1877. In Billings, Pictograph Cave State Park preserves traditional rock paintings on the cave walls and tells the story of generations of Indigenous hunters who once lived there.

Farther south on the Crow Reservation, explore Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, commemorating the 1876 battle in which Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors fought to protect their traditional way of life amid westward expansion. Nearby, Chief Plenty Coups State Park preserves the log home, farmstead and sacred spring of the last traditional Crow chief, who guided his people through the sweeping changes of the turn of the 20th century.

Time your visit right and you can experience Native American celebrations, where the sounds of drumming, singing, jingling regalia and Native languages fill the air. In summer and fall, tribal members gather to honor and celebrate their heritage – and respectful visitors are welcome to join in.

On the Fort Belknap Reservation in central Montana, the Nakoda and Aaniiih nations host the Hays Community Pow-Wow, a family-focused weekend featuring hand drum competitions and traditional dances for all ages.

In Browning, the Blackfeet Nation’s North American Indian Days is a larger community festival, known for its parade, rodeo, Indian relay races, powwow dancing and competitive drumming.

Farther southeast, Crow Fair on the Crow Nation’s tribal lands is one of the largest gatherings in the region, transforming the grounds into a vibrant village of tipis with multi-day powwows, honoring ceremonies and rodeo events. While Crow Fair spans two weeks, designated days are open to visitors.

One of the most powerful ways to learn about Montana’s Native American tribes is through experiences led by tribal citizens themselves. Join a Blackfeet guide with Sun Tours for an interpretive journey through Glacier National Park, or experience Indigenous storytelling on guided hikes in northwest Montana with Iron Shield Creative.

On the Fort Belknap Reservation, Aaniiih Nakoda Tours’ guides lead visitors to sites of spiritual and cultural significance to the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine peoples, such as Snake Butte and Mission Canyon. Blackfeet Outfitters offers excursions into northwest Montana’s backcountry on foot, horseback or by Jeep.