Drumbeats and dance carry the traditions of Montana's twelve tribal nations into every summer. The history of Montana is written in its ranches, mines and reservations.

Montana is home to seven reservations and a dozen tribal nations.

What sets it apart

Powwows blend dance competition, regalia and community gathering. For those who know the region well, it is a point of quiet pride.

Crow Fair near Hardin is among the largest powwows in North America.

Why it matters

Taken together, these threads say something about Montana itself — a state where the wild and the worked-over sit close together. It is a heritage still very much alive in the towns and gatherings of today's Montana.