PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE

What PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE does

Piikani Lodge Health Institute (PLHI) is an Indigenous-founded and led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2018 to promote the health and well-being of Blackfeet (Amskapi Piikani) people and lands on the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. The organization operates from a 633-acre land holding and delivers an interconnected portfolio of programs including Health and Wellbeing, Local Economic Development, Indigenous Research and Planning, Indigenous Exchange and Leadership Development, and Regenerative Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. Its proprietary 'One Health' Model integrates Western biomedical research with traditional Blackfeet Ways of Knowing and Being to address root causes of health disparities—mental health, substance misuse, food insecurity, and chronic disease—rather than treating symptoms.

PLHI's core offerings include the Summer Internship Program (75 youth interns to date), Agriculture and Climate Planning technical assistance (400+ producers assisted), the Plains Indian Traditional Diet Study (FFAR-funded research), Producer Roadmaps and Trust Landowner's Guide (land tenure navigation tools), and a planned Regenerative Research and Training Center. The organization functions as a convening node for Indigenous-led research, coordinating multi-agency, multidisciplinary projects across health, food sovereignty, soil science, climate science, and environmental justice in partnership with Montana State University, University of Montana, USDA agencies, and major foundations.

PLHI's business model is grant-and-donation funded nonprofit operations with no fee-for-service pricing. Revenue streams include federal grants (USDA), private foundation grants (Cedar Tree, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Four Points Family Foundation, FFAR), and tax-deductible individual donations via a Stripe-powered portal. The organization has 60+ diverse partners and has created 50+ jobs over four years. Recent strategic moves include a $40,000 REI Cooperative Action Fund grant (May 2024), expansion into international Indigenous exchange programs, planning for a multispecies processing plant with $8M annual revenue potential, and development of the 633-acre Regenerative Research and Training Center. A significant risk factor is the recent termination of approximately $9 million in USDA grants for Native and non-Native farmers in Montana.

Name

PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE

Legal name

Piikani Lodge Health Institute

Website

https://piikanilodge.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Piikani Lodge Health Institute is an Indigenous-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit on the Blackfeet Nation delivering health, agriculture, economic development, and research programs serving Amskapi Piikani community members, tribal producers, and Native youth through traditional knowledge and Western research integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Community Health and Cultural Revitalization Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Equity, Access & Social Determinants Programs (BPAIAJAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH), Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

Keywords

• Indigenous community services
• Tribal health programs
• Regenerative agriculture
• Food sovereignty programs
• Native nonprofit research

Headquarters

HQ city

Browning

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization fund seasonal internship programs, community knowledge revitalization events, and development of the Piikani Lodge home site.
2. Grant funding: Primary funding from government grants (USDA), private foundations (Cedar Tree Foundation, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Four Points Family Foundation), and organizations like Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Piikani Lodge Health Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers Indigenous-led community programs to the Blackfeet Nation, including health and wellbeing restoration, regenerative agriculture and food sovereignty, local economic development, Indigenous research and planning, and youth internship programs. It also produces educational resources (Trust Landowner's Guide, Producer Roadmaps) and is developing a 633-acre Regenerative Research and Training Center. Programs are funded through grants and donations and delivered at no cost to community members.

Product overview

Piikani Lodge Health Institute (PLHI) is an Indigenous-founded and led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers a portfolio of interconnected community programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: Health and Wellbeing (restoring traditional health practices), Local Economic Development, Indigenous Research & Planning, Indigenous Exchange & Leadership Development, and Regenerative Agriculture & Food Sovereignty. Supporting programs include the Agriculture and Climate Planning Program (technical assistance for ranchers), Summer Internship Program (youth training), Plains Indian Traditional Diet Study (research), Trust Landowner's Guide (educational resource), Producer Roadmaps (land management tools), and the planned Regenerative Research and Training Center (600+ acre community facility).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Piikani Health and Wellbeing Program Indigenous-led health program that restores ancient ways of holistic health and mental well-being for Blackfeet Nation community members through evidence-based practice, traditional knowledge applications, trauma-informed interventions, traditional Plains Indian diet restoration, land-based movement activities, and Four Seasons Culture Camps.
• Local Economic Development Program Program focused on advancing economic development and reducing unemployment and poverty in the Blackfeet Nation through federal, state, and private funding, job creation, and support for agriculture producers.
• Indigenous Research and Planning Program Localized planning program with Native voice driving multi-agency, multidisciplinary coordination of large research projects that fulfill Tribal priorities, spanning health, community health, economic development, food sovereignty, soil science, climate science, and environmental justice.
• Indigenous Exchange and Leadership Development Program Program connecting Indigenous Peoples regionally and globally through transformative, cross-cultural, and mentorship experiences, including international exchange partners, UN Permanent Forum participation, and an international Indigenous equine knowledge exchange program.
• Regenerative Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Program Program conducting research and programming within agriculture systems to improve the food economy of the Blackfeet Nation, featuring the Piikani Regenerative Grazing Initiative, climate adaptive agriculture, and work with local ranchers and partner organizations.
• Agriculture and Climate Planning Program Program offering farmers and ranchers direct technical assistance for drought planning, market development, implementing regenerative practices for rangeland health, native habitat, regenerative beef and bison, and agricultural workforce support.
• Summer Internship Program Annual program bringing Native youth together for on-the-land learning, cultural activities, agriculture training, and mentorship, with competitive wages and field gear provided.
• Plains Indian Traditional Diet Study Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Seeding Solutions award program studying traditional Plains Indian diet, which has received national recognition and led to positive physical and mental health benefits for participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75 Native youth interns have completed paid internship programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Montana State University (Native Land Project, Buffalo Nations Initiative, Soils Lab, Department of Health and Human Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for Indigenous land management research, regenerative agriculture studies, soil science, and health programs. Includes comparative study of Native vs. Non-Native land managers under FFAR award.
• University of Montana (Native American Natural Resource Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration on Native American natural resource research and education programs.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership providing technical assistance and resources for conservation, rangeland health, and regenerative agriculture programs for tribal producers.
• USDA Farm Service AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership supporting farm programs and agricultural services for tribal farmers and ranchers.
• USDA Risk Management AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership providing crop insurance and risk management resources for agricultural producers.
• The Nature ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partnership supporting Piikani Regenerative Grazing Initiative and large landscape conservation efforts.
• Blackfeet Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal college partnership for educational programs, agricultural training, and community development.
• Blackfeet Tribe (Environmental Office, Department of Fish and Game)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal government partnership for environmental protection, natural resource management, and fish and wildlife programs.
• Wildlife Conservation SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partnership through Climate Adaptation Fund for wildlife conservation and climate resilience programs.
• Audubon Society - MontanamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBird conservation partnership supporting habitat creation and conservation on tribal lands.
• National Center for Appropriate TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance organization providing expertise in appropriate technology for sustainable agriculture and resource management.
• Flower Hill InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNative-owned consulting firm providing technical assistance and program support for tribal communities.
• NATIVFS/Indigenous Foods LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on Indigenous food systems and food sovereignty initiatives.
• Blackfeet Nation Stockgrowers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal livestock association partnership supporting ranching communities and regenerative grazing programs.
• Browning School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partnership for educational programs and youth development initiatives.
• DOI Park ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of the Interior National Park Service partnership for conservation and cultural preservation on tribal lands.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Native American Agriculture Fund: The largest U.S. grantmaker dedicated to Native agriculture, funding producer support, ag education, and food sovereignty across Indian Country. Comparable mission area to PLHI but functions primarily as a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.
• First Nations Development Institute: National Native-led nonprofit strengthening American Indian economies through grantmaking, capacity building, and program investments in food sovereignty and community development. Highly comparable to PLHI in mission and program mix, but operates at significantly greater national scale.

Direct peers

• Intertribal Agriculture Council: Native-led organization advancing regenerative agriculture, producer technical assistance, and tribal youth pathways across Indian Country. Directly comparable to PLHI's Regenerative Agriculture and Food Sovereignty programming and Tribal producer focus.
• Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative: University of Arkansas-based initiative supporting tribal food sovereignty, agriculture policy, and producer support across Indian Country. Comparable to PLHI's research, policy, and producer TA work in regenerative and traditional food systems.
• Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous-led foundation providing grants and capacity building for community-driven projects in tribal sovereignty, food systems, and cultural revitalization. Comparable Indigenous-led grantmaking and program model.
• Flower Hill Institute: Native-owned consulting firm providing technical assistance, research, and program support for tribal communities. Already a PLHI partner with overlapping program delivery in tribal food systems and producer services.
• Native American Community Development Coalition: Native-led nonprofit delivering youth programs, community development, and cultural revitalization for urban and reservation Native communities. Comparable program mix and Indigenous-led model.

Emerging players

• National Center for Appropriate Technology: National organization providing sustainable agriculture technical assistance and energy programs with significant tribal engagement. Already a PLHI partner and comparable on the producer technical assistance side, though broader in scope.

Regional players

• Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission: Tribal natural resource co-management organization serving Pacific Northwest tribes. Comparable as a tribal-led service and research organization for natural resources and community wellbeing, though in a different region.
• Akiptan: Native CDFI providing loans and financial services to Native producers and food businesses. Comparable focus on Tribal agricultural producers and the same funding ecosystem, though financial-services-led rather than direct service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/piikani-lodge-health-institute-plhi

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE