Surrounded by the beauty and adventure of Glacier Country in northwest Montana, the Blackfeet Reservation is home to a proud and mighty people. Visitors to the area enjoy both outdoor recreation at Glacier National Park and a unique cultural experience in the presence of this tribe. Residents of the Blackfeet Nation, however, struggle with unemployment and poverty. Your group can bring encouragement and enthusiasm to the community by serving through various work projects and Kids Club outreach.

Demographics

The Blackfeet Nation, traveled by Lewis and Clark in 1806, encompasses approximately 1.5 million acres, and is bordered by the Canadian province of Alberta to the north. The Blackfeet Indian Reservation was established by the Treaty of 1855 and today is home to about 7,000 of the over 15,000 total tribal members. The reservation belongs to the Pikuni branch of the “Blackfoot Confederacy” and members have often been referred to as “The Lords of the Great Plains.” Other tribes that make up the confederacy are the North Pikuni/Peigan, Blood/Kainai and Blackfoot/Siksika, all residing in Canada. Today, most tribal members are in the ranching and farming business. Unemployment, however, is high on the reservation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates the unemployment rate is 69 percent among registered members of the tribe. The YouthWorks site is located in the reservation community of Heart Butte, a town of about 700 residents. In Heart Butte, nearly 45 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, including 50 percent of those under age 18. While tribal members struggle to maintain their livelihood, your service to and respect for the Blackfeet Nation will most certainly lift their spirits and open your eyes to these wonderful people. Come experience this land with the people who’ve been living here for centuries.

About the Ministry

We focus on two primary areas of ministry: children and home improvement. Our work with children consists of a hands-on program led by your youth, known as Kids Club. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Work projects include minor home repair and painting projects. Your group’s willingness to refresh a worn out exterior of a house with a new coat of paint brings real hope and an opportunity to share the love of Christ. Adult leaders will separate youth into ministry groups, and the youth in your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service. Due to multiple church groups and varying needs of the community, we cannot confirm until all groups arrive on site exactly what service your youth will be involved with. We ask that you come to serve with a willing and flexible spirit.

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: visit Glacier National Park; take part in a cultural educational experience (speaker, dancing, eat frybread); game night; and participate in a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.

Ministry Week

Two days of work projects/house painting and two days of Kids Club.

Mileage

Our mission site in Heart Butte is located approximately 120 miles from Great Falls and approximately 130 miles from Kalispell. Both cities have airports.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. The Blackfeet Reservation can only accommodate standard 15 passenger vans or smaller.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Montana and surrounding areas before or after your trip, visit: www.visitmt.com and www.greatfalls.worldweb.com and for whitewater rafting adventures, check out: www.gnwhitewater.com.