About The Program

For thousands of generations, the Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet) people have moved sustainably in close relationship with the mountains, lands, and Biosystems, across the four seasons. Unfortunately, due to disenfranchisement, our relationship has been diminished with what is left of our traditional mountain homelands and within this region now known as the Crown of the Continent and Glacier National Park (1901 and 1910 respectively).

While our Indigenous community faces many challenges – including the highest per capita infection rates of COVID-19 of any ethnicity in Montana, the highest rates of chronic illness, suicide, poverty, and a lifespan 20 years shorter than our fellow Montanans – a Blackfeet founded NGO and a group of local families, teachers and leaders are working to create hope with an alternative path to wellness this winter season.

Ssto Ipapoki Tsimaan means “Winter Movement '' in our Blackfoot language and is the name of the winter family wellness program which aims to get families on the land in every season. Our vision here is to provide safe & quality groomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and traditional games experience for as many of the 11,000 residents of our Tribal Nation during the long winter months as we can. This began as a pilot in the winter of 2019-202- serving 200 skiers and continues today as a program with outreach to as many of our community as possible, partnering with schools, and building outwards to positively impact families and the entire Tribe.

Within the parameters of Tribal COVID-19 safety resolutions, and global health guidelines we hope to provide weekday skiing for Browning and Heart Butte Public schools and weekend skiing for families and the community.

Our Plan

With this winter sports program, we would like to provide a COVID-19 safe opportunity for reconnection to the land, mountains, and biosystems, through the provision of transportation, equipment, and weather appropriate, sanitized attire. In collaboration with donors, tribal leadership, and a local workforce, we will build community relationships and reconnection to our homelands while participating in formal community ski/snowshoe/traditional winter games days or open access cross country skiing after work and weekends.

Within this novel outreach, our people will have a covid-safe opportunity to reconnect with themselves, each other, and our land, in a population that has never experienced a winter sports program. Ultimately, we aim to improve our health & wellness during this winter and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In collaboration with tribal leadership and Manpower One Stop Center, Red Eagle Campground, bordering an east entrance to Glacier National Park, has been chosen as the site for our communities to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and Blackfeet traditional games this winter. A site with ample snowfall and protected from harsh winds, we will be able to groom approximately 6 miles (10km) of trail with beginner, intermediate and advanced loops and a flat winter play area for instruction and Blackfeet traditional games.

Weather-appropriate clothing will be mandatory and provided as needed following proper COVID-19 sanitation guidelines daily. All winter events will follow BTBC & Incident Command approved safety plan following physical distancing and mask mandates as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

1. Sign Up Online

Signup is only permitted to residents of the Blackfeet Nation in accordance with Blackfeet Tribal Business Council COVID-19 resolutions and the Blackfeet Nation Phase Plan guidelines. Non-residents will not be permitted to join in winter 2022-23. We hope to open skiing to visitors in future seasons.

For questions about the program please Call or Text Operations at 406-845-4698

Sign up online using the button below.

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1. Signup By Phone

We know access to the internet can be tough to find folks, so drop us a line and our team can ask you a few quick questions and we can sign you up no problem.

Please text or call 406-470-0078 to set up. All other inquiries please contact Operations at, 406-845-4698.

Please share the phone number with friends or family who may need to get signed up this way.

2. Complete
COVID 19 Screen

This mandatory form is to be completed within 24 hours of participating in a community ski day. Please note any and all symptoms and travel. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival. By completing this screening survey you are helping to keep our workers, families, and elders safe.
Thank you!

3. Sign Liability Waiver

Sign the annual waiver to join us for our on the Land activities including cultural camps, skiing and winter wellness.

-or-
download, print and bring it with you

PROGRAM

Opening Prayer & Elder Stories of the Red Eagle Area
Edwin “Sooney” Little Plume 


Address from Blackfeet Nation Leadership
Blackfeet Tribal Business Council Chairman Tim Davis with Vice Chairman Illiff “Scott” Kipp Sr.

Ssto'ipapoki•Tsimaan Pilot Introduction
Agnes Black Weasel, Gayle Skunk Cap Jr. & Wendy Bullchild, Blackfeet Manpower & Red Eagle Campground
Keith Wetsilline & Christopher “CJ” Carter AICP, Piikani Lodge Health Institute
with Amskapi Piikani Youth