Long before Montana became known as the “last best place,” Indian nations and Indian people knew this area as “the first best place.” Before there was a state called Montana, several tribal nations called this area “home.” In addition to the tribal nations that are currently located in the state, the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikira, Nez Perce, and Shoshone, among many other, also have historical roots in this territory. Indian people lived here, raised their families here, taught their children here, and knew this land and its seasons intimately. They knew their homeland was extraordinary and that the terrain could be both generous and unforgiving. This is a sacred place. Their stories are tied to this land. Their histories, religions, and philosophies are connected to this location. Their contemporary lives are still united with the landscape of this locale. This place remains, to the tribes and tribal citizens who live within the boundaries of what is now known as Montana, the first best place to live and carry on their way of life and traditions.

The Centennial Valley is very big country. It’s a place of sweeping grasslands and wetlands, embraced by the forest ragged peaks of the Centennial and Gravelly Mountains. The Centennial looks very much as it did more than a century ago. In parts of the valley, not so much as a power line mars the view. In the winter, just a handful of people inhabit the valley. Summer, the human population is usually fewer than 100—and they are far outnumbered by cattle.

The Centennial stretches out just beyond the western border of Yellowstone National Park, protecting the headwaters of the Missouri river as well as critical migration routes for wildlife throughout the Northern Rockies. This area, in combination with the High Divide Headwaters and Big Hole, maintains the links between the protected wildlands of Yellowstone, Central Idaho, the Crown of the Continent, and Canada. The Centennial’s expansive wetlands are home to hundreds of bird species, and Red Rock River system is one of the last places where rare Arctic grayling survive. It supports grizzlies, wolves, elk, deer, and the other magnificent wildlife that draws millions of visitors to Yellowstone. (sources: Division of Indian Education, Montana Office of Public Instruction, The Nature Conservancy)

• These are low resolution images restricted to 2500 pixels wide displayed on your 72ppi monitor or device in sRGB color space.