Native Conservation Initiative
"We were created along with everything here. It is our responsibility to make sure it all continues with us, under our guidance."
— Lauren Monroe Jr.
Reclaiming Indigenous Reciprocity with Land, Water, and Wildlife
The Blackfeet People were created alongside everything in our traditional homeland. For countless generations, this place has supported us and shaped who we are. It is our responsibility to ensure that our traditions, our wildlife, and the land itself remain strong for generations to come.
The Native Conservation Initiative connects people to the land through hunting, fishing, and other traditional lifeways. By raising Native voices, we work to protect the habitats that sustain wildlife, defend access to outdoor resources, and ensure Indigenous people remain at the forefront of conservation. Through this work, we strengthen the reciprocal relationship between people, land, water, and wildlife that has guided our communities for generations.
"We no longer have to ask permission to be Indigenous. We will live it without fear and in partnership with all the communities of life."
— Lauren Monroe Jr.
Our Origin Story:
Like many Indigenous peoples, the Blackfeet have always shared a deep relationship with the land. Hunting has long been a fundamental part of our health, culture, and spiritual traditions. In the 1880s, that way of life was abruptly disrupted. The eradication of the iinnii (bison) and other wildlife brought terrible hardship to the Blackfeet and Tribes across the Great Plains.
But our people endured.
The Return of the Iinnii
As the Blackfeet moved into the modern era, bison populations slowly began to recover in Yellowstone Country and on the Blackfeet Reservation. In 2010, Lauren Monroe Jr., David Spotted Eagle, and others within the Blackfeet community exercised their rights to hunt bison once again, reconnecting with a tradition that had been interrupted for generations.
For Lauren, it was a dream come true. No one in his family had hunted bison for generations. By returning to the hunt, they recovered parts of themselves that had been lost. It was more than a harvest—it was a return to identity, responsibility, and connection.
Through this experience, Lauren Monroe Jr. and David Spotted Eagle became founding members of the Native Conservation Initiative, carrying forward a vision to ensure young people and future generations would maintain these traditions. Their work was built alongside the knowledge, support, and strength of the Blackfeet community.
That vision sparked the creation of NCI.
Today, the Native Conservation Initiative stands as a Native-led organization deeply committed to the cultural, physical, and spiritual well-being of our people, our wildlife, and our homelands. Through hunting, fishing, conservation, and education, we work to strengthen Indigenous connections to the land and ensure these traditions continue for generations to come.
Our Board
Lauren Monroe Jr.
Lauren Monroe Jr. is a Blackfeet Tribal Member and President of the Native Conservation Initiative Board of Directors. He previously served on the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council as Vice-Chairman and Secretary. During his time in Tribal leadership, Lauren also served as Chairman of the Fish and Wildlife Committee, working alongside the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Commission to support policy development, annual hunting regulations, and wildlife-related initiatives.
Lauren’s work centers on protecting hunting access, strengthening communication and partnerships with Tribal and non-Tribal entities, supporting Tribal hunters, promoting wildlife conservation, and ensuring that policy decisions reflect authentic Tribal leadership and values.
President, Board of Directors
David Spotted Eagle
David Spotted Eagle is an enrolled Blackfeet Tribal Member and co-founder of the Native Conservation Initiative. He serves as Chairman of the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Commission, where he continues to contribute to the development of wildlife policy, codes, annual hunting regulations, and decisions that support Blackfeet hunters and traditional land uses.
David has dedicated his work to strengthening Tribal involvement in wildlife management and ensuring that hunting, conservation, and cultural responsibilities remain connected for future generations.
Co-Founder
Blackfeet Tribal MemberCarl McClain
Carl McClain is an enrolled Blackfeet Tribal Member and lifelong resident of the Blackfeet Reservation. A dedicated hunter, Carl carries a deep knowledge of the land, wildlife, and traditions that connect Blackfeet people to their homelands.
Through his experience and relationship with the land, Carl supports the continuation of hunting traditions, the sharing of knowledge, and the importance of maintaining strong connections between community, culture, and conservation.
Stand With Us in Conservation
Whether you are a grassroots hunter, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, a major donor, or a wildlife manager, we invite you to stand with us. Together, we can sustain our wildlife, protect our habitats, and keep our ancient traditions alive.