Search Site Anishinabe | Algonquian Tribes | Ojibway Language

Shoshone Ojibwa's | Ojibwa Tribes


Fort Belknap Reservation


This Reservations history is corrupt and there is evidence Fort Belknap Reservation may not be a Reservation. Why would Little Bear request for Little Rockies Mountain Range to be his Reservation in 1913? And why do they refer to this Reservation as Fort Belknap Indian Community? Below is a map of Fort Belknap Reservation and excerpts from a 1913 news article about Little Bear who was not an authentic leader but a puppet put in power by whites, and links to google earth photos of Fort Belknap Agency or just Agency and demographics of this Ojibwa Reservation. On May 1, 1888, Sweetgrass Hills Treaty supposedly created Fort Belknap Reservation. At that time (1888) Fort Belknap Reservation had a land area of 537,600 acres or 217,559 hectares. In 1890, they reported that Fort Belknap Reservation had a population of 1,722. Today, it's population is slightly over 2,700. Today, Fort Belknap Reservation has a land area of 675,147 acres or 273,222.2 hectares. Chief Rocky Boy's Ojibwa Subjects were a concern to American leaders during early 1930's. In 1934, they reported they wanted to add land to Fort Belknap Reservation for chief Rocky Boy's Ojibwa Subjects, as well as to Rocky Boy's Reservation and at Great Falls. Fort Belknap Reservation received most land. Close to 140,000 acres. Fort Belknap Reservation is one of chief Rocky Boys many Reservations and Reserves. However, they will not recognize Ojibwa People at this Reservation. There are 3 organized communities within FBR. They are Fort Belknap Agency, Hays and Lodge Pole. However, there are other communities that are included as being a part of those 3 organized communities. They are actually distinct communities. Dodson and Harlem are off Reservation yet are predominantly Ojibwa Towns.



This Reservation is mysterious. Little Bear had connections to Fort Belknap Reservation. He told whites in Lewistown, Montana in December 1913, that he was an American ally and helped fight Ojibwa's during 1876-1877's War at Montana. He was well acquainted with Fort Belknap Reservations region. He made mention of Black Butte and Rocky Point. There's a Black Butte east of Lewistown and north of Fort Maginnis. However, Wild Horse Lake is 20 miles or 32 kilometers southeast of Black Butte. Another Black Butte is located 13 miles or 21 kilometers west of Fort Belknap Reservation. There's a Wild Horse Reservoir 47 miles or 76 kilometers slightly southeast of that Black Butte a few miles west of Fort Belknap Reservation. His interpreter Peter Kenawash, possibly had difficulties translating Little Bears information. Little Bear made it clear, he went towards Black Butte and Rocky Point, to fight in that war against chief Sitting Bull in 1876. They used Milk River to reach Missouri River, then proceeded west towards Great Falls. Before reaching Great Falls they merged with Custers force!



Chief Rocky Boy sent letter to President Wilson in 1913, telling him he will stay neutral in European Conflict. He meant Mexico's Civil War! After chief Rocky Boy learned he had his Reservation within Blackfeet Reservation stolen in 1910, he might have fled to Mexico. However, his power extended to Canada and Mexico so he had no need to flee to Mexico. American leaders were negotiating with chief Rocky Boy in 1912-1913 about a new Reservation, as a result of Chief Rocky Boy staying out of Mexico's Civil War or withdrawing Ojibwa Soldiers from Mexico's Civil War. It's adjacent to Great Falls. It was reported in newspapers in summer of 1914, that chief Rocky Boy was headquarted in Great Falls with 700 of his Ojibwa Subjects. These two events are related. Little Bear did not like chief Rocky Boy. He didn't consider him a real chief. However, in 1902 chief Rocky Boy sent letter to President Roosevelt telling him that chief Rocky Boy was leader of landless Ojibwa's in various parts of the United States. Little Bear was bothered by that because he knew chief Rocky Boy was highest ranking Ojibwa leader. They used Little Bear to be chief Rocky Boy's doppleganger! Little Bear was asking for Fort Belknap Reservations Little Rockies Mountains to be his Reservation in 1913 because American leaders told him they were going to take much of his Fort Assiniboine Indian Reservation. At that time Little Bears Reservation had a land area of near 220,000 acres. In 1916, it was reduced to slightly over 56,000 acres. Little Bear had to find land for his Ojibwa Subjects who had to leave the ceded portion of his Reservation.



In 1896, American leaders forced FBR leaders to cede some of their Reservations south. It was for 1,000's of Ojibwa's rounded up by Colonel Pershing's American Soldiers and Little Bears Ojibwa Soldiers. They were rounded up and sent to Great Falls to wait to be relocated. One location they were sent to was Fort Belknap Reservation. After forced to board train box cars, 100's were sent to FBR. They settled adjacent to and throughout the Little Rockies Mountains. At least a third or possibly half of FBR, was given to those Ojibwa's who were forced to relocate to FBR in 1896. Many Ojibwa's at Fort Belknap Reservation, continue to cling to their Ojibwa Nationality. Reservation leaders won't recognize them however. We know, however, that FBR is one of chief Rocky Boy's many Reservations and Reserves. Population of FBR IS 3,382 according to 2020's census. Natives make up 92.9% of the population or 3,142. Whites 3.9% or 132. Mixed bloods 2.6% or 89. Mexicans 2.2% or 76. Blacks 0.2% or 8. Asians 0.1% or 4.



Fort Belknap Agency Road View

Fort Belknap Agency Road View

Fort Belknap Agency Road View

Fort Belknap Agency Road View

Fort Belknap Agency Road View

Fort Belknap Agency Road View

Fort Belknap Agency Road View

Fort Belknap Agency Road View












Demographics of Fort Belknap Reservation

Land Area: 1,055 sq. mi. or 2,732.2 sq. km.

Population: 3,382 (2020 census)

Language: Corrupted



Contact


© 2009-2025 Anishinabe-History.Com