May 28, 2008

Reservation Fliers – Economic Data for Tribes

The Department of Labor and Industry announces updates to last year’s first ever Reservation Fliers of the seven Tribal Nations located in the State of Montana. 

The Fliers provide a detailed picture of the economic and demographic status of the Blackfeet, Crow, Flathead, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Northern Cheyenne and Rocky Boy’s reservations.  This year data is included on the Little Shell Chippewa for the first time. The Fliers provide nation specific data on annual average wages, employment levels, agricultural statistics, income distributions and much more. A principle goal of the Fliers is to provideuseable data for people interested in doing business on the reservations.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Research and Analysis Bureau spearheaded the effort with active participation from the Montana Department of Commerce’s Census and Economic Information Center, the Governor’s Office and the Tribal Nations through the State Tribal Economic Development Commission (STEDC). The STEDC, comprised of representatives from the seven reservations in Montana, a representative of the Little Shell Chippewa, the Coordinator of Indian Affairs for the Governor’s Office, a representative of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and a representative from the Montana Department of Commerce, is instrumental in furthering economic development efforts in Indian Country in Montana.

“The Reservation Fliers provide an accurate, measurable economic benchmark for each of the seven Indian reservations and for the Little Shell Chippewa,” said, Shawn Real Bird, a member of the Crow Tribe and Chairman of the STEDC.  “Together (state and tribes), we have produced a tool to attract prospective developers looking to invest in tribal economies.”

        “Recent enhancements to our data collection, including our ability to identify which businesses are located within the physical boundaries of the reservations made the development possible,” said Research and Analysis Bureau Chief Todd Younkin.  “We’re very pleased with the end result and believe that our customers will be too.”

Fliers are available at www.ourfactsyourfuture.org.