On the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana, Marlan Goes Ahead and his family methodically cut, peel, and prepare lodgepole pines to make a tepee, just as his ancestors did for centuries. But unlike those distant family members, Goes Ahead won't live in this tepee. Instead it will be sold by the newly created Pryor Tepee Company, founded by Goes Ahead and two other tribal members, Ben Cloud and Eddie Round Face, with a grant from CCHD. One of the few Indian-owned businesses selling the traditional housing, the company already has received calls from prospective buyers from as far away as Germany and Sweden.

Crow Tribal members (from left) Eddie Roundface, Ben Cloud, and Marlan Goes Ahead are the founders of the Pryor Tepee Company. Photo by Jim Eshleman

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