COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

The Rocky Boy Reservation is the smallest reservation in Montana and is located in north central part of the state near the Canadian border in the counties of Hill and Chouteau Counties. Rocky Boy provides a home for approximately 3,000 people of the Chippewa Cree tribe, which has a total membership of over 6,000 people. The reservation contains more than 122,000 acres that lie in the shadows and drainage area of the Bear Paw Mountains and includes country of rolling foothills and prairie land. The Rocky Boy Agency is located 26 miles south of the city of Havre, which is a farming and railroad community of approximately 12,000 people. The principal uses of lands within the reservation are grazing, dry land farming, and minimal timber harvesting. There are six “communities” or housing areas located across the reservation. Services are provided to tribal members at the towns of Box Elder and Rocky Boy, which is the site of Stone Child College, a 1994 two-year institution with full accreditation by the Northwest Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. The major focus of this project will be to bridge the digital divide for youths and adults on the Rocky Boy Reservation and building upon the necessary life skills for families through parent education and youth programming.

PURPOSE

To bridge the digital divide for the people of Rocky Boy Reservation by providing computer technology classes to youth and adults. To build upon life skills for families through parent education and youth programming. These goals are being accomplished through the rapid expansion of 4-H programming, frequent technology classes at Stone Child College, the Mending the Sacred Hoop project and nutrition classes.

PROGRAMS

Expanded 4-H Programs
The programs offered through 4-H at Rocky Boy Reservation have been greatly expanded with the support of the Building Community Strengths in Montana grant. In the short time since the initiative began, the 4-H programs have grown from 14 participants to over 50! Five ribbons were won by these participants in a recent competition. Examples of some of the current programs at Rocky Boy are:

4-H programs have proven to support and strengthen the goals put forth by CYFAR and MSU Extension. To help children improve and develop important lifeskills to become contributing and active members of their communities. For more information on the 4-H programs at Rocky Boy Reservation please contact Mary Ruth St. Pierre, Rocky Boy Extension Agent. You may also contact Peggy Riotutar-Aquino or Melissa Swan for further information on 4-H programs at Rocky Boy.

Technology Classes
Technology classes are offered regularly through an expanded technology training program. These classes are offered in an effort to bridge the digital divide for the adults and youth who live on Rocky Boy reservation. Some recent classes that have been offered at the Stone Child College computer lab are:

Please contact Peggy Riotutar-Aquino or Melissa Swan for further information on the technology training program at Rocky Boy.

Mending the Sacred Hoop
The goal of this program is to reinforce the rich heritage of Indian parenting and the belief that children are gifts from the Creator. Specifically, to improve parenting skills of adults of young children by holding workshops about such important Indian parenting topics as traditions, storytelling, communication, harmony, praise, decision-making and community. For more information on this program please contact Peggy Riotutar-Aquino or Melissa Swan.

 

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 3/10/06