The Northern Great Plains is the ancestral home to approximately 27 Indigenous tribes or bands. Today, there are 15 sovereign Native Nations in the greater Northern Great Plains region:
- Blackfeet Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Crow Nation
- Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
- Aaniiih and Nakoda Nation
- Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation
- Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes
- Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
- Northern Cheyenne Tribe
- Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation
- Chippewa Cree Tribe
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
- Yankton Sioux Tribe
The Northern Great Plains depends on a rural economy. Almost 75% of the region is in private ownership, with the majority in ranching and farming operations. Most of the federal and state lands in the region are in small sections, interspersed with private lands. Human population numbers are low, with relatively few landowners stewarding large tracts of range and croplands. In many counties, human population numbers are declining.
NGPJV partners honor and respect the voices and traditions of all people who live and work in the Northern Great Plains. We operate in partnership with communities and individuals to find conservation solutions that work for local people and places. By investing in rural areas, NGPJV partners help support vibrant communities, which lead to good schools, medical care, and other services.