• Photo Credit: Bear Star Photography

Permanently Protect the Badger-Two Medicine

Days after the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. decision confirming the cancellation of the last oil and gas lease, on June 25, 2020, the Blackfeet Nation released a draft congressional bill to permanently protect the Badger-Two Medicine as a Cultural Heritage Area. 

The proposed Badger-Two Medicine Protection Act was drafted in partnership with Blackfeet leaders, non-tribal neighbors, hunters, anglers, conservationists, ranchers, local landowners and many others.

It builds on existing protections, such as the area’s Traditional Cultural District designation, and is modeled on legislation already enacted in other places. If the legislation that Blackfeet proposed to the Montana delegation was passed into law, it would “keep things the way they are” and continue to allow public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, horse packing and other traditional uses. It would also keep grazing rights intact. 

Read more about the permanent protection proposal.