Official Website of the Chippewa Cree Tribe | Rocky Boy’s Reservation, Montana
The Rocky Boy’s Reservation, established on September 7, 1916, is located in Hill County in north-central Montana, nestled within the scenic Bear Paw Mountains. Covering about 128,000 acres, it is the smallest reservation in the state but home to a vibrant community of approximately 2,700 residents, with another 5,000 members living beyond its borders. Cree remains the predominant language, though only a few fluent speakers of Chippewa remain. The Tribe was also among the first in the nation to embrace self-governance, setting a foundation for strong leadership and sovereignty.
The community unites two closely related peoples: the Cree (NÄ“hiyaw), who migrated south from Canada, and the Chippewa (Ojibwe), who moved westward from North Dakota. Though once distinct, these groups came together in the late 19th century and were officially recognized as the Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation.
