Buffalo Horse, Inc. is a tribally-owned corporation established by the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) for the purpose of providing contract services to the federal, state, and private entities.
Buffalo Horse, Inc.’s goal is to develop a self-sustaining economy for the Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) and Nakoda (Assiniboine) Nations through new businesses, job creation, and resource development.
The meaning behind the company name “Buffalo Horse” came from an observation current BHI Councilmen Tracy “Ching” King shared about a unique horse that he witnessed on the buffalo pasture near Snake Butte. In August 2009, Councilmen King noticed a white horse running with the bison herd transferred from Yellowstone National Park. Buffalo Pasture Technicians also began seeing the white horse running alongside the bison herd. Attempts were made to capture the horse; the horse seemed to disappear whenever anyone got near the horse and bison. Councilmen King shared a Nakoda story about the “Holy White Horse” that ran with the bison herds as a protection spirit. Before Europeans, when the bison still roamed free, our Nakoda people shared stories and songs about the “Holy White Horse” they would see during their bison hunts. Our People always had great success in our bison hunts when we would see the “Holy White Horse.”
Councilmen Tracy “Ching” King felt it appropriate to name our new government contracting company “Buffalo Horse” as a successful business to create economic sovereignty for the Nakoda and A’aniiih nations. The goal of “Buffalo Horse” was to provide a contract vehicle in the federal procurement space that was unique, which would help our Tribe with self-sustainability and economic sovereignty. Before our People were placed on an Indian Reservation, we were wealthy from our nourishment and goods provided by the bison. The bison provided our homes, clothing, tools, and food. The horse gave us that vehicle to ride alongside the bison to harvest them for our survival.
Councilmen King proclaimed that our new government contracts company would be called “Buffalo Horse” because it included the most essential beings our nation needed for survival and wealth, the Buffalo and The Horse.
Fort Belknap Indian Community
353 Old Hays Road
Hays, MT 59527
E: dustin.monroe@buffalohorseinc.com
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 334
Washington, DC 20005
E: shawn.ironmaker@buffalohorseinc.com
©2023 Buffalo Horse Inc. - All Rights Reserved.
Dustin Monroe
General Manager
E: dustin.monroe@buffalohorseinc.com
Dustin Monroe is an enrolled member of the Fort Belknap Tribe and descendent of the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana. His parents are Myron Hoops of Fort Belknap and Kathy Monroe of Browning, Montana. He is the proud father of Isaiah, Rylan, and Tatum Monroe. Dustin’s professional career varies from entrepreneur roles to serving in the federal sector in an Operations Unit at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Some of his highlights include helping his former employer grow their business by 400% in a year and implementing national programs at multiple Army Bases CONUS/OCONUS. Academically, Dustin has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Master’s in Public Administration, and Master of Science in Business Analytics from the University of Montana. He is also a combat veteran with multiple combat tours while serving in the Army’s 25th Infantry Division. Dustin gives back to his Native Communities by serving on the Potlatch Fund Board, one of the only Native American-led Philanthropy Nonprofits in the country. He is looking forward to helping Buffalo Horse Inc. create self-determination for the Aaniiih and Nakoda Nations of Fort Belknap through economic self-sufficiency. He is honored and humbled to be allowed to work and contribute back to his tribe.
Shawn Ironmaker
Business Specialist
E: shawn.ironmaker@buffalohorseinc.com
O: (406) 673-3031
M: (202) 940-6540
Shawn Ironmaker (wamni gichianga “sits with eagle”), Business Specialist for BHI, is an enrolled member of the a’aniiih (Gros-Ventre/White Clay) People. He is also a descendant of Nakoda (wakpa wicasa/Stoney), and Rocky Boy Cree / Pembina Chippewa from the Fort Belknap Indian Community.
Shawn helped with the development and creation of Buffalo Horse Incorporated from 2010 through the SBA 8(a) award date in 2018. Prior to working for BHI, Shawn has developed over thirty years of operational management experience in corporate retail and finance for Sear’s Holding Company, and grants and contracts for Fort Belknap Indian Community.
