The reservation is home to the Blackfeet tribe. Of the approximately
9,000 enrolled tribal members, there are about 7,000 living on or near
the reservation. Nearly 27 percent of enrolled members are of three-fourths
or graeater Indian blood.
The Blackfeet Indians are commonly thought to have aquired their name
because of the characteristic black color of their moccasins, painted or
darkened with ashes.
LOCATION
The Blackfeet Reservation is in northwestern Montana along the eastern
slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Its one-and-a-half million acres are bordered
on the north by Canada and on the west by Glacier National Park.
ECONOMY
A manufacturing plant on the reservation produces pencils, pens and
markers. An advertising company is the reservation's newest venture. Major
uses of the land are ranching and farming. The principle crops are wheat,
barley and hay.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Museum of the Plains Indian, U.S. 89, Browning, MT 406-338-2230 The museum exhibits the creative achievements of North American artists
and craftspeople. A permanent exhibit displays artifacts of the Northern
Plains Indians and two special galleries feature changing presentations.
The museum also houses a gift shop. Next to the museum is "In the Footsteps
of the Blackfeet," an authentic re-creation of an encampment.
Blackfeet Community College, Browning, MT 406-338-5441 Two-year associate's degrees are offered in the Arts and Sciences.
A new library is under construction.
Blackfeet Historic Site Tour, 406-338-7406 The historic site tours are half and full-day tours of the reservation
and Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. The tour begins at the Museum of the
Plains Indian.
Sun Child Re-Creation Camp, 406-338-2882 Values, beliefs and traditions of the Plains Indians are taught. Participants
sleep in tepees, build smokeless fires and dine on traditional foods.
For more information about the Blackfeet Reservation, contact: Blackfeet Nation, P.O. Box 850, Browning, MT 59417 406-338-7276
