We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
FORT BELKNAP – The Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the Fort Belknap Indian Community's Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) hosted the 2025 Aaniiih Nakoda Workforce Expo, marking a milestone as the first job fair co-hosted by the agency and a Tribal Nation in Indian Country. The event brought together students, job seekers, and local employers for a day of career exploration, skills training, and workforce development in North Central and Hi-Line Montana.
Commissioner Sarah Swanson emphasized the historic nature of the event and its goals. "We were thrilled to bring this event to the Fort Belknap community," she said. "This expo was about opening doors-giving our youth and community members the tools and opportunities to succeed while helping local employers find the talent they need to thrive."
The expo featured interactive, industry-specific exhibits from local businesses, offering students firsthand exposure to potential career paths. Industry professionals led live demonstrations and workshops, showcasing the skills in demand and the diverse opportunities available in today's job market.
Nancy Boushie, TERO Director, celebrated the impact of the event on the region's youth. "Fort Belknap TERO, in collaboration with Montana's DLI, was thrilled to host rural junior and senior high school students to provide hands-on experiences to inspire their career interests," she said. "If just one student reached out to a business they were interested in, then all our efforts were a success. But we know this event generated numerous career stories and may have even marked a life-changing moment for some."
The Aaniiih Nakoda Workforce Expo aimed to empower attendees and support local businesses in building a strong regional workforce. Organizers hailed the event as a success and a potential model for future partnerships between state agencies and Tribal communities.
