Aaniiih Nakoda Tours offers guided cultural explorations of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in north-central Montana, home to the Nakoda (Assiniboine) and Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) peoples. Led by local tribal members, these hyper-specific excursions delve into oral traditions, regional history, and the sacred landscapes of the reservation.
Join George Horse Capture, Jr., our Tourism Director, and Peter Horse Capture, Tourism Assistant, for a guided exploration of the rich oral traditions and history of the Nakoda (Assiniboine) and Aaniiih (Gros-Ventre) peoples of the Fort Belknap Reservation. These one-of-a-kind tours offer a deep understanding of our heritage and the way of life on the reservation, leaving visitors with a meaningful connection to our culture.
Mission Canyon: Explore dramatic geological formations, natural arches, and culturally significant sites.
Snake Butte: Visit a massive 22,000-acre tribal buffalo pasture housing over 500 bison, including pure-genetic descendants from the Yellowstone National Park herd.
Cultural Connection: Learn the history and way of life directly from knowledgeable guides, such as Tourism Director George Horse Capture Jr.
SNAKE BUTTE TOUR
A Landmark Along the Hi-Line
Snake Butte is situated about 10 miles south of Harlem, on the northern edge of the Fort Belknap Reservation. Those traveling through Harlem can catch a glimpse of Snake Butte, framed by the Little Rockies and Bear Paw Mountains to the south. While the Little Rockies lie 25 miles south of Snake Butte, the Bear Paws begin about 15 miles southwest. Part of the Bear Paw Mountains is visible in the right side of the image above. Snake Butte’s geology is intriguing, but the site also holds deep spiritual significance for the Nakoda (Assiniboine) and Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) and played a key role in one of Montana’s largest construction projects.
MISSION CANYON IN THE LITTLE ROCKIES TOUR
Hidden Gem in the Little Rockies
Mission Canyon is lined with steep limestone cliffs, marked by numerous caves and natural bridges.
Located just outside of Hays, Montana, the Mission Canyon Natural Bridge is part of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, which is home to the Assiniboine (Nakoda) and Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) tribes and is the fourth largest reservation in Montana.
People’s Creek flows from the Little Rocky Mountains through Mission Canyon. Over countless years, the creek has shaped the landscape, creating impressive limestone walls, various caves, and the scenic Natural Bridge.
BEAR PAW BATTLEFIELD TOUR
Chief Joseph- Cultural & Historic Site
The Bear Paw Battlefield is the location of the final battle of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877. Following the breakout of war in Idaho, approximately 800 Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) spent a long and arduous summer fleeing U.S. Army troops first toward Crow allies and then toward refuge in Canada. After the skirmishes at Canyon Creek, the Nimiipuu arrived at C’aynnim Alikinwaaspa (Place of the Manure Fire, now known as the Bear Paw Battlefield), a mere forty miles short of the Canadian border. Following a five-day battle and siege, the Nimiipuu ceased fighting at Bear Paw on October 5th, 1877, in which Chief Joseph gave his immortal speech: "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
SLEEPING BUFFALO ROCK TOUR
In 1922, a wildcatter, exploring for oil, encountered a tremendous flow of hot mineral water at 3200 feet and went broke trying to cap the flow. Legend has it that cowboys made use of the hot water for their Saturday night baths. A Saco rancher built a wooden tub around the water and soaked his polio-stricken son in the mineral water which is very similar to that of the Warm Spring, Georgia sanatorium made famous by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
In the early ‘30s, a joint partnership between the Soil Conservation Service and the Phillips County American Legion developed the complex with the help of Roosevelt’s Work Project Administration (WPA). Several permanent buildings of rock were erected, and the “Saco Health Plunge” became a prominent recreational facility.
Following a stoppage the previous year, a new well was drilled in 1958, and over 2500 visitors attended the grand opening of the “Malta Legion Health Plunge.” By now, everyone just called this favorite swimming place “The Plunge.” The following year, the disastrous West Yellowstone earthquake broke the well casing and another well had to be drilled.
The Sleeping Buffalo Recreation Association (SBRA) was formed in 1965, with Dennis Mahoney as President. The resort’s new name was in honor of a particular rock resembling a buffalo which signifies the staff of life for several Native American tribes, including the Chippewa, Cree, Assiniboine, and Sioux. This rock, which originally was part of a group of rocks that looked like a herd of buffalo from a distance, laid upon a ridge above Cree Crossing just a couple miles north of the resort. It was moved to the town of Malta, and later still too old U.S. Highway #2 south of the resort, where it was joined with the “Medicine Rock.” Today these ancient glacial boulders, which are listed on the National Record of Historic Places, are enshrined at the junction of Highway 2 and State Highway 243 and mark the entrance to the resort which is a short distance up the hill on the right. Nelson Reservoir and the Bureau of Reclamation Park on the left.
RED WHIP BATTLEFIELD TOUR
Historic Aaniiih Site "Battle of Bull Creek"
1909 – The Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) engaged a group of Crow and Lakota warriors south of the reservation. The site was named after Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) warrior, Red Whip, who killed twelve Lakota in the battle.
Location: The tours operate from 2192 Hays Road in Hays, Montana.
Reservations: Reservations are required, with at least 48 hours' notice needed to book packages.
Accommodations: Visitors can enhance their stay by renting local Airbnb properties or modern RV trailers provided by the tribes.
Contact: To schedule an excursion, you can reach out to Peter Horse Capture at (406) 301-0036 or (406) 673-3002.
