Montana DLI and Northern Cheyenne Tribe Celebrate Grand Opening of New Job Service Office in Lame Deer

• August 15 2025

LAME DEER, Mont. – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe are proud to announce the grand opening of Montana’s newest Job Service Office, located inside the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Headquarters. This marks the first new Job Service office opened in Montana in more than 40 years and represents a historic partnership to empower the Northern Cheyenne people through work and opportunity.

Commissioner Sarah Swanson, President Gene Small, Governor Greg Gianforte, Councilwoman Melissa Lonebear, Senator Gayle Lammers

This new office was made possible through extensive collaboration following statewide summits with Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) directors from Montana’s Indian tribes. The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. DOI-055 (2025), inviting DLI to partner with them to provide workforce solutions tailored to the needs of their people.

“This initiative represents a historic and transformative opportunity to address employment barriers, build local capacity, and create pathways for sustainable economic development within the Northern Cheyenne Reservation,” the resolution states.

“The Tribe will work in close partnership with DLI to develop and implement programs and services that provide career development, soft skills training, and wrap-around support services for the Northern Cheyenne people and community.”

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe is an early participant in Governor Greg Gianforte’s 406 JOBS strategic workforce framework, a statewide effort to modernize Montana’s workforce system and ensure that every Montanan has a pathway to a career and a plan to achieve it.

First Lady Susan Gianforte, DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson, President Gene Small, Senator Gayle Lammers, Councilwoman Melissa Lonebear, Governor Greg Gianforte, DLI Tribal Liaison Donnie Wetzel, Jr., Councilwoman Theresa Small, Councilman Howard Ontiveros, Councilwoman Gwen Talawyma

The Lame Deer Job Service Office will provide comprehensive career development, vocational training enrollment, and culturally relevant workforce services tailored to the needs of the Northern Cheyenne people. Programs will include soft skills training, job placement, and wrap-around support services to help tribal members achieve economic self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life.

“This office reflects our shared commitment to empowering every Montanan through work and opportunity,” said Commissioner of Labor Sarah Swanson. “By working hand-in-hand with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, we are creating a model of partnership that honors culture while opening doors to career growth and economic resilience.”

President Gene Small, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, added:
“This partnership with DLI builds on the vision our council has for our people. Locating the Job Service office in the heart of our tribal headquarters ensures our members have accessible, meaningful pathways to employment and training that strengthen our community.”

‘I am deeply proud of this partnership – it is an honor to bring state and tribal governments together in service to the people of Montana and the Northern Cheyenne Nation,” said Senator Gayle Lammers, whose Montana Senate District 21 includes the Northern Cheyenne reservation.

The Northern Cheyenne Job Service Office is now open and ready to serve the community at 600 Cheyenne Avenue, Littlewolf Capitol Building, Lame Deer, MT. Tribal members and surrounding community residents are encouraged to visit the new office to learn more about available career services and training opportunities.

Resolution No. DOI-055 (2025)