Jeffrey Stiffarm, President
Fort Belknap Indian Community
Fort Belknap Casino – Harlem, MT
fortbelknapcasino.com / ftbelknap.org
BENEFITS OF GAMING: Contrary to popular belief, fewer than 15 percent of Indian tribes operate prosperous casinos. Although the Fort Belknap Casino does not issue per capita or payouts to tribal members like larger casino tribes do, the casino revenue has attributed to sustaining the gaming operations, sustaining employment/jobs for tribal members locally on the reservation, and for charitable purposes such as traditional powwows, Natives in various athletic events, health and educational community events, and entertainment.
GOALS & INITIATIVES: Fort Belknap gaming has potential to generate future revenues to allow local tribal government/ leadership to fund essential community services or local infrastructure projects, or at the very least, avoid spending cuts.
The tribal government/leadership has recently considered supporting and endorsing horse racing on the reservation and recognizes horse racing as an integral part of Gros Ventre and Assiniboine heritage and culture.
LEGISLATIVE: Fort Belknap’s primary focus is on particular issues faced by the Great Plains, including Montana, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Our Fort Belknap Gaming Commission offers interdisciplinary perspective on tribal gaming, incorporating law, political and public administration.