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Native American Made in Montana

In Montana, we take authenticity seriously. It means "of undisputed origin," and that's what the Native American Made in Montana logo signifies. 

For a product to bear the logo, it must have been made in the state by a registered member of one of the eight tribal nations that call Montana home. This includes the Blackfeet Nation, the Chippewa Cree Tribe, the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, the Crow Nation, the Fort Belknap Indian Community, the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The Native American Made in Montana badge honors the authentic cultures, creations, and values that represent Indian Country across Montana.

Sovereign tribal territory spread across Montana makes up nine percent of the land base in Montana. Tribal members live on and off the reservation, innovating new products as well as creating traditional arts and crafts.   

Look for products from all sectors of the economy including traditional and modern artwork, electronics, lumber, livestock and their genetics, textiles, commodity crops, and prepared foods.

“Art offers spiritual practice affording inspiration to create while preserving cultural values of Native peoples.” 

-- Merle Bigbow

 

Find Native American
Made Products

Native American Made in Montana logo banner

 

ABOUT BUYING
AMERICAN INDIAN
ARTS & CRAFTS

No matter where you are in the United States, it is illegal for anyone to sell arts and crafts as "Indian made" if they are not in fact made by an enrolled member of a federal- or state-recognized tribe. Doing so is a violation of the Federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. It was enacted to curtail exploitation of tribal artists and art forms.   

 

Learn about the Law

Indian Arts & Crafts Montana Brochure

 

TAKE HOME A TREASURE FROM INDIAN COUNTRY: Buy Authentic Montana Indian Arts & Crafts

Use this guide to help you in your purchase of authentic Indian art and craftwork. It includes buying tips and contact information for federal and state agencies handling complaints of products fraudulently marketed as being Indian made.

 

Read the Guide

STAR QUILTS: A TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN MONTANAStar Quilts at Fort Peck Ceremony

There exists a hidden tribal textile industry in Montana comprised of individual cottage-industry quilters and tribal member entrepreneurs who design, sew, and sell American Indian star quilts throughout Montana, the United States, and the world. These star quilts are based on the traditional design of the painted buffalo hides that were deeply prized by American Indians prior to the formation of Indian reservations. Once the buffalo became scarce, the tribes began to look toward quilting and quilts as a means of honoring their loved ones in gifting, ceremonies, births, funerals, and more recently as a gift to sports teams. This tradition of giving these colorful and beautiful quilts to sports teams is beginning to spread to non-tribal sports teams as they compete with their tribal friends and competitors.

Native American quilting contributes considerably to the economy and has developed into a significant textile industry in the state.

VISIT MONTANA INDIAN COUNTRY

Come take the road less traveled and plan your trip to experience our sacred lands and learn more about the history of each Indian nation in Montana. 

OFFICE OF INDIAN COUNTRY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Find financial and technical assistance resources for Native American business and tribal governments in Montana under one office.

GOVERNOR'S  OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Explore Montana’s commitment to the government-to-government relationship with the Tribal nations by discovering our collaborative policy initiatives and resources.

Cowboy Real Art

Yellow Woman Designs

Big Bow Fine Arts