Tribal Engagement in Montana

Tribal outreach team members Brye Lefler (far left) and Lorraine Gala Lewis (far right), meet with Marie Torosian, Executive Director of the Three Chiefs Culture Center (2nd from right), her granddaughter (middle), and Gearaldine Hewankorn, Curation Technician (second from left).

Bruce Rettig/AIANTA

About this article: This article was originally published in the Lewis & Clark Trail Annual Report 2023.

(Left) Shawn Real Bird, Lorraine Gala Lewis, Duane After Buffalo, and Gayle Skunkcap Jr.
(Right) Darnell Rides at the Door, Blackfeet Nation Tribal Ambassador of Goodwill

Bruce Rettig/AIANTA

In July 2023, Brye Lefler (Tribal Partnerships Specialist/Cultural Anthropologist), conducted a week-long Tribal engagement trip in Montana with the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA). For the past five years, AIANTA has partnered with the Lewis and Clark Trail to provide Tribal engagement assistance for the Geotourism Program. The goals of the trip included integrating Tribes into initiatives to grow and manage tourism’s economic benefits, and to develop travel itineraries for Lewis and Clark Trail visitors focused on Tribal perspectives and supporting Native-owned businesses.

(Top) Kevin Kicking Woman, Sun Tours Guide and Blackfeet Nation Tribal Member (standing) shares cultural perspectives at Glacier National Park
(Bottom) Brye Lefler (NPS) poses with then-Chairman Tom McDonald (left) and Executive Officer Rick Eneas (middle) inside the CSKT Administrative Headquarters

Bruce Rettig/AIANTA

The team started their trip on the Flathead Reservation, where they met the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Chairman and Executive Officer; experienced a tour with the Director of the Kootenai Culture Committee of important sites including the CSKT Bison Range; conducted interviews with the Director of the Three Chiefs Culture Center; and met about future collaborations with the Tribal Historic Preservation Department.

From there, the group traveled to Blackfeet Nation, where they conducted interviews with Tribal Ambassadors, met with the Campground Supervisor/Events Coordinator, participated in a Native-perspective tour of Glacier National Park by Sun Tours, and experienced many events associated with North American Indian Days.

Thanks to CSKT, Blackfeet Nation, and the individuals who met with our team. We look forward to exciting future collaborations.

Lorraine Gala Lewis, AIANTA (left) and Brye Lefler, NPS (right) with Darnell and Smokey Rides at the Door, Blackfeet Nation Tribal Ambassadors of Goodwill (middle left and middle right)

Bruce Rettig/AIANTA