American Indian Tribes, Events of Montana

Indian dance at sunset

Posted: Feb 6, 2023 / 03:07 PM MST

Updated: Feb 6, 2023 / 03:07 PM MST

The Montana Office of Public Instruction affirms that there are 12 American Indian tribes in Montana and seven reservations that have been established. The 12 tribes in Montana are:

Assiniboine
Blackfeet
Chippewa
Cree
Crow
Gros Ventre
Kootenai
Little Shell
Northern Cheyenne
Pend D’oreille
Salish
Sioux

There are nearly 80,000 individuals of American Indian heritage in Montana, most residing on one of the seven Indian reservations. The seven reservations are:

Blackfeet Reservation
Crow Reservation
Flathead Reservation
Fort Belknap Reservation
Fort Peck Reservation
Northern Cheyenne Reservation
Rocky Boy’s Reservation

Among the 12 tribes in Montana there is an extensively diverse range of languages, rituals, histories, and belief systems that thrive and offer their unique, rich experiences to the growth and sustenance of Montana. Also offered annually and welcoming to the public are powwows, consisting of tribal dancing, ceremonies, and hundreds of visitors. Here is a snapshot of annual events by specific tribe:

Blackfeet

~ North American Indian Days, second week of July

~ Heart Butte Celebration, first weekend of September

Crow Nation

~ Crow Native Days, third weekend of June

~ Crow Fair and Rodeo, third weekend of August

Salish and Kootenai Tribes

~ Arlee Fourth of July Celebration, fourth of July

~ Standing Arrow Powwow, third weekend of July

Fort Belknap Assiniboine and Gros Ventre Tribes

~ Wasay Wakpa Wachi Powwow, third weekend of July

~ Milk River Indian Days, fourth weekend of July