ROCKY BOY, Mont. (NMB) – The Chippewa Cree Tribe has recently purchased about 280 acres in the Sweetgrass Hills for over $200,000. Vice Chairman for the tribe Ted Whitford says these acres are split up into about five plots and plan on preserving the land, not developing it.
“Well, the owner of those lands gave the Tribe the first right to refusal, meaning that she gave us the first offer to purchase these lands and the Tribe accepted. We’re actually not going to develop it in any way. We’re essentially going to preserve it for cultural purposes.”
Whitford believes this purchase was a good move for the tribe and will help to preserve access to these lands.
“I think it means, you know, better and just more access to the site for cultural reasons. In the past, we had a number of tribal members go to that location for cultural reasons and it just means better access for us. A lot of our members and members in other tribes and surrounding areas use it as a fasting area.”
Whitford says a lot of tribal members are excited to have access to lands they consider sacred.
