When it comes to American Indian culture, Montana's roots run deep. Between wild places unchanged by settlement, hallowed grounds of past battles and longstanding American Indian celebrations that continue to this day, Montana showcases the history of the 11 tribes.

Southeastern Stories

To dive headfirst into full-strength modern American Indian culture, catch the dancing, drums and authentic celebrations of Crow Fair and Rodeo. Rewind two thousand years to the cave paintings of Pictograph Cave State Park. Go back just a century to get a glimpse into the life and times of one of the last great chiefs at Chief Plenty Coups State Park. Tour the battlefield and museum of Custer's Last Stand at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

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Nugget

Montana's state flower, the bitterroot, was a food staple for many American Indians.

Local Scoop

Alexa T. recommends the Native American exhibits (and more!) at the CM Russell Museum in Great Falls.

A Territory of Tales

While southeastern Montana is ideal for a cultural tour, you can soak up American Indian culture and history statewide. Revere the haunting Big Hole National Battlefield outside of Wisdom. Step foot on the Bear Paw Battlefield, south of Chinook, one of three Nez Perce National Historic Parks. Visit the cliffs where American Indians harvested buffalo at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park outside of Great Falls. For an overnight experience, sleep in a Blackfeet teepee in Browning, at the Lodgepole Gallery and Tipi Village, then take a Blackfeet Cultural Tour to visit teepee rings and medicine lodges on the southern Blackfeet Reservation.

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Summertime Celebrations

Maybe not as well known as Crow Fair, the celebration of the American Indian culture can be found statewide. Relive the battle from an American Indian perspective (some actors are actual descendants of the original warriors) at Custer's Last Stand Reenactment. If you're traveling in the northeast, witness a century-old Native American tradition rolled into a rodeo at the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede. In central Montana, try your hand at throwing an 8,000-year-old weapon (no experience required!) at the First People's Buffalo Jump Atlatl Competition. And, it doesn't stop here--see the additional "Things to Do" listed below.

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THINGS TO DO

July 4 Feast on fry bread and Indian tacos to the beat of drummers and dancers at the family friendly Arlee 4th of July Celebration.	July 12 - 15 Peer into the traditional dances and rituals of tribes at North American Indian Days in Browning.	August 2 - 5 Witness the oldest powwow in Montana at the Wadopana Celebration in Wolf Point.

Montana's human history stretches back thousands of years, from the earliest cave painters to Indian warriors to the history still unfolding every summer at powwows statewide...just awaiting your respectful presence.

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