12,000+ Years
Montana's History & Indigenous Nations
From the first peoples to the gold rush and copper empires — the story of how Montana became Big Sky Country.
Deep Time
Montana History Timeline
From the first peoples to the modern in-migration wave
First Peoples
Clovis-culture hunters arrive as glaciers retreat.
Tribal Nations
Crow, Blackfeet, Salish, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre & others dominate the region.
Louisiana Purchase
Montana's land becomes part of the United States.
Lewis & Clark
The Corps of Discovery crosses Montana along the Missouri.
Gold Rush
Gold at Grasshopper Creek; Bannack founded.
MT Territory
Montana Territory is established by Congress.
41st State
Montana joins the Union as the 41st state.
Copper Kings
Butte's copper empire & the homesteading boom.
Glacier NP
Glacier National Park is established.
New Constitution
Montana adopts a modern, progressive state constitution.
Tech & In-Migration
Tech boom and relocation wave transform Bozeman.
Tribal Nations
Indigenous Nations of Montana
Montana is home to eight federally recognized tribes and one state-recognized nation — the original stewards of these lands. Each opens a full educational guide on history, culture, and language.
Northwest Montana
Blackfeet Nation
Niitsi'tapi — “The Original People”
Blackfeet Indian Reservation
Read the full guide
Southeast Montana
Crow Nation
Apsáalooke — “Children of the Large-Beaked Bird”
Crow Indian Reservation
Read the full guide
Northwest Montana
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Séliš · Qḻispé · Ksanka
Flathead Indian Reservation
Read the full guide
Southeast Montana
Northern Cheyenne
Tsétsêhéstâhese — “The People”
Northern Cheyenne Reservation
Read the full guide
North Central Montana
Assiniboine & Gros Ventre (Fort Belknap)
Nakoda (Assiniboine) · A'aninin (Gros Ventre)
Fort Belknap Indian Reservation
Read the full guide
Northeast Montana
Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux
Nakoda (Assiniboine) · Lakota & Dakota (Sioux)
Fort Peck Indian Reservation
Read the full guide
North Central Montana
Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Ojibwe-Chippewa · Michif (Métis)
None — the only landless federally recognized tribe in Montana
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