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Blackfeet Indian Reservation
Ethnic Museum in Glacier National Park, Montana
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Ethnic Museum
Blackfeet Indian Reservation Description
The 1.5-million-acre Blackfeet Reservation includes most of Glacier County, abuts Glacier National Park, and is home to about 8,000 of the 13,000 people of the Blackfeet Nation, the largest Native American tribe in Montana. Its hub, Browning, is a rather nondescript little town 13 miles east of the park. The Museum of the Plains Indian has an interesting collection of historic and modern Plains Indian tribal art, life-sized figures in traditional costumes, and a collection of painted tipis outside (in the summer). Both the museum and the nearby Blackfeet Heritage Center & Art Gallery sell Native American artwork and crafts.
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: There aren't enough climbing/running/tasting opportunities here to hold a little one's interest, and the hands-off quality of the artwork will frustrate him. It might be a good idea to bring along a few distractions.
School-Age Kids: If your kids are enthralled with all things Native American, they'll enjoy the Blackfeet Reservation. If they're not, the exhibits -- other than the tipis -- may bore them. But in either case, if you're in the area for "North American Indian Days" plan on attending. There's plenty to see and do, and in the colorful hubbub, kids won't even realize it's a learning experience.
Planning Notes
- An event to see. Every July, the Blackfeet Tribal Council sponsors a four-day event ("North American Indian Days") at the Blackfeet Tribal Fairgrounds adjacent to the museum, bringing together many tribes from America and Canada. There are dances, sports, games, an encampment, tipis erected in the pow-wow grounds, arts and crafts, and more. For more information, call (406) 338-7276.
Just the Facts
Hours: June 1-Sept. 30: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Oct. 1-May 30 (closed weekends): 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours
