Department Of Commerce

The Commission was established in the Native American Economic Development Act of 1999. This commission is tasked with assisting, promoting, developing and providing initiative recommendations for accelerating economic development on these Reservations in the areas of business expansion, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and community development.

The Commission cooperates and acts in conjunction with other public and private organizations for the benefit of Tribal communities. It identifies, obtains and coordinates governmental and private sector gifts, grants, loans and donations to further economic development on Indian Reservations in Montana. Montana Code Annotated 90-1-131 through 90-1-135.

The Commission is composed of 11 governor-appointed members representing the eight Tribal nations in Montana, a member of the Montana Department of Commerce, a member from the Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Governor's Director of Indian Affairs. Public meetings occur throughout Montana on a quarterly basis.

BLACKFEET TRIBE

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Vacant

406-338-7521

CHIPPEWA CREE TRIBE

Chippewa Cree Tribe

Richard Sangrey

Term ending July 1, 2026.

406-395-5705

CONFEDERATED SALISH & KOOTENAI TRIBES

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes

Jennifer Finley

STEDC Vice-Chair

Term ending July 1, 2026. 

406-675-2700

CROW TRIBE

Crow Tribe

Shawn Backbone

Term ending June 30, 2024.

406-679-3285

 

FORT BELKNAP INDIAN COMMUNITY

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Delina Cuts The Rope

Term ending June 30,2024.

406-353-2205

FORT PECK ASSINIBOINE & SIOUX TRIBES

Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes

Bryce Kirk

Term ending June 30, 2024.

406-650-3263

LITTLE SHELL CHIPPEWA TRIBE

Little Shell Tribe

Gerald Gray

STEDC Chair

Term ending June 30, 2024.

406-294-8113

NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE

Northern Cheyenne Tribe

Melissa Lonebear

Term ending July 1, 2026. 

406-477-6284

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Montana Seal

Misty Kuhl

Director of Indian Affairs

406-444-3702

Mark Blasdel

Director of Economic Development

406-444-5470

MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Montana Department of Commerce Logo 2nd Stacked

Paul Green

Director, Department of Commerce

406-841-2700

UPCOMING MEETINGS

State Tribal Economic Development Commission

Feb. 11, 2025 – Helena
May 8, 2025 – Great Falls
August 8, 2025 – Billings
Nov. 14, 2025 - Polson

PAST COMMISSION MEETINGS

2024 

2023 

2022 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

COMMISSION REPORTS

PUBLICATIONS

GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL TRIBAL RELATIONS REPORT

The annual Tribal Relations Report commemorates the accomplishments of the State and Indian Nations of Montana. The governor presents the report to the Indian Nations of Montana in fulfillment of the requirements of MCA 2-15-143, which became law based upon HB 608 sponsored by then Senator Jonathan Windy Boy in 2003. Senator Windy Boy's bill formalized the fundamental principle and integrity of the government-to-government relationship between the State and Tribal Nations of Montana.

Previous Tribal Relations Reports can be found here.