Rocky Mountain Region (Montana, Wyoming)

The Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana (the Blackfeet Tribe) began construction on aspects of its infrastructure project. These activities included replacing outdated copper infrastructure with a fiber solution. Simultaneously, the Blackfeet Tribe continues to complete environmental review for the remainder of the project area. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded the Blackfeet Tribe $33.2 million dollars for its infrastructure project; once complete, it will connect over 4,400 unserved Tribal homes.

The Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation (Chippewa Cree Tribe) was awarded $15.3 million for an infrastructure project to connect more than 750 unserved Tribal homes with high-speed Internet. NTIA issued an Environmental Categorical Exclusion for the entire project, resulting in the Chippewa Cree Tribe preparing for construction activities.

Event

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) staff assisted in the coordination of and attended Tribal consultation between the State of Montana and the Tribal governments that share continuous borders with the state to ensure Tribal priorities are heard by the Montana Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and the Montana Department of Administration.