Blackfeet Youth Development's mission is to help promote the health, safety, and well-being of all Blackfeet youth through private funding with sponsors and donors both on and off the Blackfeet Reservation. 

According to the 2000 US Census Bureau, the Blackfeet Reservation population was 10,100 of which 8,655 were Native American with an average family size is 3.68 persons.  From 1992-2002 the reservation population has grown 15%, while overall tribal enrollment has grown 13%.

 
Unemployment is a large problem; the Bureau of Indian Affairs reported in the 2000 Indian Labor Force Report that of 5,359 employable civilians, 74% were unemployed and 22% of those employed were below the poverty level.

A February 2002 Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services report indicated a 70% unemployment rate on the Blackfeet Reservation.

The average Blackfeet resident survives on approximately 1/3 the average national income and nearly one-half of the Montana state average income or $5,574 per year.

The US Census reports the average poverty rate for American Indians and Alaska Natives from 1998-2000 was 25.9%.

According to the 2000 US Census Bureau the Blackfeet Reservation (most of Glacier County) is 35th of the 100 poorest counties in the United States.

 

 


Blackfeet Statistics
  • School drop out rate of 65%.
  • More than 70% unemployment rate.
  • 5th poorest Indian Reservation in the United States.
  • 1 in 3 persons addicted to drugs and alcohol

 

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Travel distances and the remoteness of outlying communities combined
with levels of poverty on the Reservation result in serious transportation problems for a large percentage of the population.


Browning Montana from Spring Hill, east on Highway 2
Data shows education levels are very low on the reservation.  According to tribal statistics:
only 37% of the adults on the reservation have a high school diploma, and 12% have less than 9th grade education.
less than 3% of the reservation population has a 4-year degree and 1% has an advanced degree.



For the most part, only those with regular, adequate income can afford reliable vehicles that can withstand the travel distances, road and weather conditions.

Many tribal members (roughly 25%) have no transportation of any kind and depend on relatives and neighbors for rides to do their business.  For most of the residents, competitively priced goods and services, including basic supplies like groceries and dry goods, are found by traveling over 100 miles either south to Great Falls, north to Lethbridge, Alberta, or west to Kalispell.