Red Shield 8 Nations is a tribally driven, multi-tribal nonprofit organization led by elected leaders and representatives from Tribal Nations and Urban Indian Organizations in Montana.
RS8N was formed to advance a shared vision for culturally grounded, high-quality healing services that individual Tribes cannot sustainably deliver on their own.
RS8N was intentionally created to ensure continuity between planning, governance, financing, construction, and long-term operations of the Healing Center, while protecting tribal sovereignty and shared decision-making.
Our History
| 2014 | Discussions among tribal leaders, health leaders, and others on how to address the need for culturally appropriate care for American Indians in Montana |
| 2022 | The Tribal Nations formally came together through the American Indian Health Leaders meetings to organize and secure planning funding from the Montana Health Care Foundation to develop strategies for a regional healing center |
| 2023 | Hired 7 Directions to design what the facility would look like and its operation |
| 2024 | Red Shield 8 Nations becomes a formal 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| 2024 | Secured additional funding from the Montana Health Care Foundation |
| 2025 | Hired Executive Director Patricia Hibbeler |
| 2026 | Designed our logo and launched a website |
| 2027 | Estimated breaking ground |
| 2029 | Estimated completion |
| 2030 | Estimated beginning of services |
Our Name
To create a name and identity, the Culture Keepers submitted names and ideas. A citizen of the Northern Cheyenne tribe put forward Red Shield 8 Nations, which quickly resonated with the group.