Local traditions and culture in Montana

Montana is mostly farming and ranching but has turned to tourism recently. Don't be surprised if you find very few Enviromentalists or Vegetarians. The ones you do meet are mostly 'Imports' (non-native Montanans(not born here to a native family or have lived here less than 30 years))

Montanans are generally a very friendly bunch of folks. They arent very politically correct and do believe in minding their own business. There is sort of an unspoken motto in Montana. ' Dont bother me and I wont bother you.'

Don't think you are right to raise in your arms a little Indian girl who was crying after being fallen down of her van during a parade...

I heartly would like to know and I wish someone on VT could help me to understand if I offended any Indian tradition... maybe touching the dress she had on, maybe sacred... but she was on the floor crying with the next van approaching and nobody cared of her, what was I supposed to do??

Dumb Montana Laws
Seven or more indians are considered a raiding or war party and it is legal to shoot them. (Repealed)
In Montana, it is illegal for married women to go fishing alone on Sundays, and illegal for unmarried women to fish alone at all.
It is a misdemeanor to show movies that depict acts of felonious crime.
It is a felony for a wife to open her husband's mail.
It is illegal to have a sheep in the cab of your truck without a chaperone.
Excelsior Springs
Balls may not be thrown within the city limits.
Helena
No item may be thrown across a street.
Salisbury
Pop bottles are not to be thrown on the ground.
Whitehall
It is illegal to operate a vehicle with ice picks attached to the wheels.

Don't be in a hurry. Montanans are very friendly but figure you are here to relax, so SLOW DOWN! It is rude to ask a rancher the size of his spread or the number of cattle he runs. Leave your ego at home--no one will be impressed with who you are.

Montana has a number of Indian Reservations and they offer a great way to learn about the culture of the indigenous people of the area. The Museum of the Plains Indians in Browning, Montana, near Glacier National Park is very worthwhile.

Helena has an excellent system for careing for her homeless. While living there I knew there were homeless, but they all had a warm bed, a shower, and a hot meal every night it seemed because Montana winters are harsh and no place for the homeless. habitat for Humanity must have done one very good job!

Just like any other American state, except that Montana is cleaner than most. Still fresh and natural. Breathe......