First Peoples Montana
Discover Indigenous-led places, experiences, and stewardship across Montana – from the peaks to the prairies.
Start Your Journey Here
A few Indigenous-led places and gatherings to start your journey across Montana.
Blackfeet Nation
The history and culture of the Blackfeet Nation span back nearly 10,000 years of proud heritage in the Rocky Mountains. Today, Blackfeet land sits alongside the rocky ranges of Glacier National Park in Montana. It consists of 1.5 million acres of area to explore, with 518 miles of streams to traverse and 180 bodies of water to dip into.
Crow Country
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to continue your explorations, we’re here to make your stay unforgettable. Join us for a tour, attend one of our events, or simply take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Northern Cheyenne Chief's Powwow
The Northern Cheyenne Chief's Powwow, the annual Fourth of July Celebration, is the largest pow-wow held on the reservation. Activities to observe and participate in include fun runs and health walks. The Princess Contest (all princesses welcomed), Indian dancing contests in all categories, parades, and Grand Entries welcome visitors to a brilliant display of color and traditions. Gourd dancing is held daily. Traditional feasts of Native foods are always part of the festivities, and all drum groups, dancers, singers and vendors are encouraged to attend. Campsites at the Kenneth Beartusk Pow-wow Grounds, 3 miles south of Lame Deer are available and photography is welcomed.
Three Chiefs Culture Center
Three Chiefs Culture Center and museum is owned and operated by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). We are the place to learn from stories from our ancestors shared through museum exhibits, presentations and cultural activities – we are also the place for people to buy authentic Native American made products in our gift shop. We are more than a museum, we are a dramatic illustration of living history through demonstrations of traditional Salish, Pend d’Oreille and Kootenai cultures, tribal arts and crafts, live and recorded performances, a repository of artifacts and historic collections, a cultural education center and a place for exhibition of authentic Native American history. The Collections Management Program helps us advance the management and care of the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille tribes articles/artifacts. All collections are accessioned, catalogued, inventoried, and stored or displayed properly following established Museum Standard policies. The Collections Management Program will help the center advance the care of all existing and incoming collections. Cultural education activities, programs and classes are designed with special thoughts, care and respect to our three tribes lifeways, arts, histories and stories passed down. These include craft classes, dance outfit construction, public demonstrations and celebrations (pow-wows). We conduct a variety of gatherings throughout the year which include drumming and singing, traditional native games, family gatherings, story telling, native art markets, music, and movies.
Pictograph Cave State Park
The Pictograph Cave site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964, because of its archeological significance. Today's visitors can enjoy a unique opportunity to explore the mystery of this extraordinary site and tour the new visitor center. Prehistoric hunters who camped in Pictograph Cave left behind artifacts and over 100 pictographs, or rock paintings. The oldest rock art in the cave is over 2,000 years old. Their interpretations are still subject to debate. The images of animals, warriors and even rifles tell a story that has lasted thousands of years. The park's three main caves - Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost cave - were home to generations of prehistoric hunters. The caves were carved from the Eagle sandstone cliff by the forces of water and wind. The first recorded discovery of artifacts and paintings in the caves was made in 1936. The park has a pleasant 3/4 loop trail to the caves, with interpretative displays along the route identifying and explaining the natural features, the prehistoric paintings and vegetation found in the area. Pictograph Cave is the deepest of the three main caves, at approximately 160 feet wide and 45 feet deep. Visitors are advised to bring binoculars to get a better view of the rock art. Allow at least an hour to enjoy the park, it's visitor center and trail. Also an excellent site for bird watching. There are picnic facilities available for day use only, but no camping is permitted. Seasons & Hours Summer Hours: Open Daily between the third Friday in May and the third Sunday in September - Park: 9 am - 7 pm - Visitor Center: 10 am - 5 pm Winter Hours: Open Wednesday - Sunday between the third Monday in September - third Thursday in May - Park: 9 am - 5 pm - Visitor Center: 10 am - 4 pm - Closed Monday & Tuesday, and Thanksgiving, Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan. 1 Restrictions and Closures See a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities. Park Rules Visit the State Parks Fees & Regulations page for park rules. Fees Montana Residents - Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply. Nonresidents - Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8 - Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4 - With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free Volunteer Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Pictograph Cave State Park. For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Milk River Indian Days
Held in late July each year in Fort Belknap, Montana, the Milk River Indian Days is a three-day powwow that brings together participants and spectators from across the region for a weekend of dance, music, and community. The Milk River Indian Days occur at the Fort Belknap Reservation, home to the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre Tribes. The powwow grounds, set against the sweeping vistas of Montana's plains and the nearby Bear Paw Mountains, offer a scenic backdrop for the festivities. The powwow dazzles attendees with spirited dancers adorned in colorful regalia and the rhythmic beats of traditional drummers. This gathering serves not only as a showcase of Native American culture but also as a unifying force, bringing together community members and visitors in a shared celebration of identity and heritage. Organizers reintroduce special contests to demonstrate a commitment to continually enriching the event experience, fostering an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie among participants. Through dance, music, and various cultural activities, Milk River Indian Days stands as a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Indigenous traditions, ensuring their preservation and celebration for generations to come. Visitors to the Milk River Indian Days will find a range of accommodations in Harlem and the nearby town of Havre, about 45 miles west. Nearby attractions include the Missouri River Breaks National Monument, about 80 miles to the south, where visitors can explore rugged landscapes and rich wildlife. The Little Rocky Mountains, approximately 50 miles away, offer hiking and vistas of the Montana wilderness. Great Falls International Airport is the nearest airport, 180 miles southwest of Harlem. The nearest Amtrak station is in Havre, 45 miles to the west, for those preferring to travel by train.
Museum of the Plains Indian
The Museum of the Plains Indian was founded in 1941 and displays richly varied arts of Northern Plains Tribal peoples including the Blackfeet, Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, Assiniboine, Arapaho, Shoshone, Nez Perce, Flathead, Chippewa, and Cree. Their historic clothing, horse gear, weapons, household implements, baby carriers and toys highlight the exhibits. A series of promotional sales exhibitions introduces unsurpassed contemporary American Indian art and crafts by emerging artists and craftspeople.
Apsáalooke Tours
Apsáalooke Tours offers air-conditioned bus interpretive tours with Native American guides at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Crow Agency. Tours run hourly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets prices are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors/veterans; and $5 for children 12 years old and under. Private tours from one to two hours are available. Please schedule private tours three to five days in advance. Call or email for pricing. Apsaalooke Tours operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Apsaalooke Tours is operated by the Crow Tribe. Crow Tribe of Indians Tourism: CrowTribeTourism.Info@crow-nsn.gov Call us at +1-406-679-3999
Crow Fair and Rodeo
August 13-18, 2025 Each year, the Apsáalooke people of the Crow Indian Reservation conduct one of the largest powwows in the country. Crow Fair and Rodeo attracts more than 50,000 spectators and participants from the around the world. There are many cultural activities that take place throughout the days of this great celebration, including: Grand-entry and parades showcasing traditional bead work, buckskin and leather work, all made especially for the purpose of showing the best each family has to offer. An Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) sanctioned rodeo, inviting the most talented Indian-Cowboys in the western United States. Pari-mutuel Horse Racing as well as the very popular Indian-Relay horse races. This shows the best in Indian horsemanship from throughout Indian country. "Dance-Through-Camp" or more commonly known as the "Parade Dance", based on the spiritual belief-ways of the Apsaalooke people and is meant as a prayer for good things for the people of our Crow Tribe, future camps, and the coming year. Message from the Montana Indeginous Tourism Alliance: > We the Apsaalooke Nation do cordially invite all of you to attend our annual celebration and we welcome you to become a part of our large and extended family. Crow Agency is located 60 miles south of Billings off of I-90.
Travel That Honors Native Culture and Land
Whether you're visiting, hosting, or stewarding these lands, experience Montana through the knowledge and welcome of its Indigenous peoples.
For Travelers
Join Native-guided tours, visit tribal cultural centers and museums, and attend powwows and celebrations — authentic experiences led by the people whose ancestral lands you're visiting.
For Tribal Businesses
Are you a Native-owned business, guide, or cultural organization? Get listed on GoGood to reach travelers seeking authentic, community-rooted experiences.
For Tribal Stewards
Tribal tourism offices, cultural institutions, and community leaders: share your places and stories on your terms, and grow tourism that benefits your nation while protecting your cultural and natural heritage.
Stewardship Rooted in Thousands of Years
Indigenous-Led
These experiences are owned, guided, or hosted by Native nations and people — your visit directly supports Indigenous communities and storytellers.
Cultural Continuity
Cultural centers, museums, ceremonies, and gatherings keep living traditions vibrant. Travel here is an invitation to listen and learn.
Land Stewardship
From buffalo jumps to sacred sites in the Crown of the Continent, these are places cared for across generations — visit with respect and reciprocity.