Fort Belknap Indian Reservation
The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is located in north central Montana. The reservation is the homeland of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes. Established in 1888, the reservation is what remains of the vast ancestral territory of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Nations. The Gros Ventre and the Assiniboine Nation signed the Fort Laramie treaties of 1851 and 1855 with the United States Government establishing their respective territories within the continental United States. The Fort Belknap Reservation is part of what remains of these two nations ancestral territory that included all of central and eastern Montana and portions of western North Dakota.
Native American Dance is also other tradition of the Native American culture. The dances that we share are known as social or intertribal dances. As people of the first nations we belong to a living and growing culture the dances are presented as they are portrayed today at our social events all across the country. Powwows were first danced in the 1800's, and are still done today.
Today, the two tribes are united as one government called the Fort Belknap Indian Community. Together, the tribes have formed and maintained a community that has deep respect for it's land, it's culture, and it's heritage. Fort Belknap derives its name from the original military post that was established on the Milk River, one mile southwest of the present town of Chinook, Montana. The Fort, named for William W. Belknap, who was the Secretary of War at that time, was a military fort combined with a Trading Post. It becomes a Government agency for the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Indians living in the area.
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Last update 3/16/06 by Lacey Plumage
