“We’ve witnessed the best of the Blackfeet Community – strong, proud, committed individuals who have transfixed us with their life stories. I’ll always be touched by our time together, and grateful that I experienced this culture.” – Blackfeet Reservation volunteer
“The volunteers bring their skills, insights, and helping hands to the reservation. But, most important, they bring friendship, curiosity, and compassion. We work together to close the gap of understanding between the Indian and White cultures, and it’s very good.” – Bob Tail Feathers, Blackfeet Nation member
Program Overview
United For Service is offering a one-week chaperoned service program for Muslim high school students who have the opportunity to serve and stay on the reservation of the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana, which is in the beautiful foothills of Glacier National Park!
Established by treaty in 1855, the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is home to the 17,321-member Blackfeet Nation, one of the ten largest tribes in the United States. This will be a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of life in the Blackfeet community.
Daily volunteer activities may include preparing and delivering meals to the elderly, working at the local senior center, working with children in the tribal-run summer camp, working at the food bank, manual labor (painting, renovation, gardening). Non-volunteer activities may include cultural visits and discussions to learn about the Blackfeet Nation, a visit to Glacier National Park, horseback riding, and a visit to a rodeo.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Serve the Blackfeet Nation and learn about their history
- Enhance your leadership and volunteer skills
- Obtain 40 hours of high school volunteer credit
To learn more click here and apply!
Who can apply?
This program is open to Muslim high school students age 14-18 in the U.S. and Canada. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis once application forms are available online.
Schedule
The volunteer program is from June 3-10, 2023 and the exact details of the program location will be disclosed to final participants. The following is a tentative itinerary and dates are subject to change based on the availability of our partner organization:
| Sat | Fly into Great Falls, Montana Meet group at airport and drive to reservation two hours away Dinner and introductions |
| Sun | Breakfast Orientation Tour of the community and visit to Glacier National Park Dinner |
| Mon – Fri | Breakfast Morning meeting Community work projects Lunch End work projects Dinner Community celebration at the end of the service program |
| Sat | Final farewells and drive to Great Falls for flights |
Cost
The cost of the trip is $1,200 and includes all local transportation, meals, accommodations, and materials while in Montana. The trip fee does not include your domestic air travel (i.e. home airport to Browning) but group travel can be arranged.
Volunteers may choose to fundraise to subsidize the cost of the program and UFS can help with the initial set up of an online page to help facilitate the fundraising process.
If you have any questions, please contact info@unitedforservice.org.