10/12/2026
Native art tells a story. Knowledge, history, and cultural belief systems have been transferred from one generation to the next through many different mediums and practices across the Plains. The art of recording history is a cultural tradition in many Indigenous communities, where creative expression tells detailed stories of cosmological events, human creation, migrations, seasons, battles, births, and deaths.
Winter counts painted onto bison hides, war stories on tipi liners, and beadwork that emblazons military leather with symbols of patriotism are some of the works we carry at the Historical Society. As the Indigenous people of the Plains acculturated and embraced European materials, their art expanded to include textiles, beads, paints, and paper as part of their craft. Today, we continue to expand our collections by collaborating with Indigenous artists across Montana to create magnificent works that continue their stories and illuminate their worldview.
Come to the Montana Heritage Center for a deeper look into Indigenous artwork and stories. We're open daily and admission is always free.
