Welcome to the Nakoda Aaniiih Economic Development Corporation!
As we celebrate ten years of driving change, we’re thrilled to share our journey, achievements, and vision for the future through our new website. Here, you’ll discover who we are, what we do, and where we’re headed.
Our transformation efforts at the Fort Belknap Reservation begin at home. We believe that healing, growth, and positive change start within each of us and extend outward to make a lasting impact on our reservation, our lands, and even the world. Our mission is to inspire others through our actions.
Over the past decade, we’ve launched four major initiatives—Tourism, Language Revitalization, Food Sovereignty, and Youth Leadership—and we’re eager to continue expanding these programs.
Our Aaniiih Nakoda Tours program is growing with the addition of the Drone Virtual Tourism project and a new Airbnb rental project in the northern part of the Fort Belknap Reservation. We also opened the Aaniiih Nakoda Tours gift shop at the Kills At Night Center in Hays, Montana, which provides free consignment opportunities for local artists and entrepreneurs. Through our tourism efforts, we support local artists in marketing their goods and services locally, nationally, and globally.
We are proud to have established Life’s Language Lodge, the first language immersion nest on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Life’s Language Lodge is dedicated to preserving our language and culture. We provide ongoing technical support and collaboration to ensure its success.
Our commitment to community food sovereignty led to the creation of the Red Paint Creek Trading Post & Pantry—a nonprofit grocery cooperative, food pantry, and commercial kitchen that advances food security for the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.
In 2022, we introduced our Youth Leadership program to help our young people develop the entrepreneurial and leadership skills necessary to thrive in their communities and in the world of business and commerce.
Every day, we approach our work and our interactions with colleagues, families, youth, partners, volunteers, and visitors with love and respect. We are dedicated to learning, sharing, and continuous improvement as both individuals and as an organization. Whether in the office, classroom, or community garden, we uphold values that guide our actions and influence how we engage with the world.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, funders, partners, donors, and volunteers. Your support and enthusiasm have fueled our rapid progress. We look forward to your continued partnership as we work to create a sustainable, thriving, and healthy community on the Fort Belknap Reservation and beyond.
We are thankful for the many partnerships that share our vision, including the Fort Belknap Indian Community, World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, American Prairie Reserve, The BBC, National Geographic, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Island Mountain Development Group, First Nations Development Institute, The Administration for Native Americans, Fort Belknap Montana State University Extension Program, Montana State University-Bozeman, Fort Belknap Head Start, Montana Audubon Society, and numerous other organizations committed to positive change.
Finally, we extend heartfelt thanks to our many friends, allies, and volunteers who generously support our cause. Special thanks go to Hillary Maxwell, Elizabeth Werk, Ramona King, Lynn Cliff Jr., Hannah Has Eagle, Barbara Cliff, Lynn Cliff Sr., John & Rebecca Andrews, Aloha Shortman, Randi Shortman, Alex Benson, Merle Snell, Jamie Stanley, Mindy McCabe, Chad Wing, Marty Lone Bear, Randi Rae Fetter, Clyde Wing, Joesiah Long Fox, Craig Shambo, Wylynn Shambo, Beverly Werk, Wilma Werk, Tobias Jones, Warren Werk, Jr., Thomas Licht, Jr. Lodge, Blue Miller, Curtis Snow, and many more.
Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Leslie “Josie” Cliff
Executive Director