Indigenous communities throughout the United States—especially those located in the Northern Rocky Mountains—are facing the mounting pressures of climate change, which are not only reshaping local ecosystems but also threatening long-standing cultural practices and traditional ways of life. In north-central Montana, the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and the Fort Belknap Indian Community, home to the Aaniiih and Nakoda peoples, have emerged as proactive leaders in tackling these challenges. Both Nations are advancing comprehensive climate adaptation efforts that combine Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with contemporary science, forging partnerships to protect their lands, natural resources, and cultural heritage for future generations.

Nestled within the Bear Paw Mountains, the Chippewa Cree Tribe is confronting climate-related threats head-on—particularly those linked to increasingly frequent and severe droughts, which are worsened by a steady rise in temperatures. These changes place the community’s water sources—especially the fragile headwater wetlands—at serious risk, while also threatening key cultural species. Of particular concern is the documented decline of sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), a plant of profound spiritual and cultural significance. Observations from Tribal Elders and monitoring data have confirmed this decline, highlighting the deep connection between environmental health and cultural preservation.

To address these intertwined challenges, the Tribe has developed a layered climate strategy. Building on groundwork laid through a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)-supported adaptation initiative from around FY2014, the Tribe recently completed a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) for 2024. This plan revisits and expands upon earlier goals, focusing both on reducing local greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the realities of increased drought. Simultaneously, the Tribe is advancing a Drought Contingency Plan, supported by NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), which will be integrated into their broader Climate Change Plan.

With the bison, the Blackfeet Nation are able to manage and restore their own lands and species, asserting their right to environmental governance and as an act tribal sovereignty. The reintroduction of the species was actually led by the Blackfeet Nation themselves, in partnership with various NGOs and conservation groups. The reintroduction near Chief Mountain, a region with significant ecological and cultural importance, represents a shift toward Indigenous-led conservation strategies and something far more than a wildlife story—it is a story of restoration, resistance, and renewal.

Several key strategies are already in motion. The Tribe’s Wetlands Program Plan (FY2022–2024) guides monitoring and restoration activities in essential headwater areas to bolster water quality and improve storage capacity. A particularly innovative effort involves assisted migration for sweetgrass—relocating the species to higher-elevation wetlands in hopes of improving survival, with guidance from both TEK and scientific assessments. Alongside ecological efforts, the PCAP also outlines sustainability initiatives such as promoting solar energy, installing EV charging infrastructure, and expanding food sovereignty programs. These actions are made possible through partnerships with agencies including the EPA, BIA, and NOAA, as well as collaboration across tribal departments.

The Fort Belknap Indian Community, located near the Little Rocky Mountains, is grappling with similar climate-related pressures. Warming temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, and intensifying drought are depleting water supplies, degrading rangelands essential for both buffalo and livestock, heightening wildfire threats in their only mountain range, and impacting traditional food plants such as serviceberries. These disruptions extend beyond the environment, endangering food systems, biodiversity, livelihoods, and sacred sites.

Since 2015, a full-time Climate Change Coordinator has led Fort Belknap’s comprehensive climate planning efforts. In partnership with the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) and other allies, the community developed the Fort Belknap Climate Change Plan 2023. This document integrates both TEK and extensive community input to identify key vulnerabilities and chart an actionable path forward.

At the heart of the Tribe’s strategy lies the Little Rockies Forest Resilience (LRFR) project, which utilizes adaptive management approaches—most notably forest thinning—to mitigate wildfire risks, enhance ecosystem resilience to drought, protect carbon storage, and maintain wildlife habitat. Parallel efforts to improve rangeland conditions include meticulous monitoring, enhanced grazing practices, and infrastructure upgrades like fencing and water systems, supported by the NRCS and BIA. On the food security front, the Tribe is investigating ways to sustain traditional berry species, including plans to establish a tribal nursery. Fort Belknap also advocates for recognition of its water rights and for a greater Indigenous presence in broader climate policy conversations, reinforcing the role of Native stewardship in addressing ecological crises. These programs are bolstered by collaborations with CLLC, BIA, NRCS, and grant support from sources like the WCS Climate Adaptation Fund.

Together, the climate adaptation initiatives of the Chippewa Cree and Fort Belknap Nations exemplify Indigenous-led resilience rooted in cultural knowledge and pragmatic planning. By restoring vulnerable wetlands, protecting sacred plants like sweetgrass, bolstering forest health, and ensuring food sovereignty, these communities are not only defending their homelands and heritage—they are setting a powerful precedent for community-driven climate adaptation on a wider scale.