Wasáy Wakpá Wopétu Tí
Established in 2016, the much anticipated Red Paint Creek Pantry and Trading post serves as a hub for the food pantry, grocery store and other community resources. The first grocery store in the area, the project was realized with the collaborative efforts of community agencies and volunteers.
Wasáy Wakpá Wopétu Tí is from the Nakoda language which means Red Paint Creek. The Red Paint Creek lies just west of the Red Paint Creek Pantry and Trading post.
The Red Paint Creek Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Our Community
Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is homeland to the Assiniboine (Nakoda) and Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) Tribes. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is located forty miles south of the Canadian border and twenty miles north of the Missouri River.
Meeting the Need
Caring for the needs of our community and the needs of the natural world is foundational to indigenous ways of life. We work together and are thankful for our supporters who help us to be in a position to gather and provide food for everyone in our community. The addition of a community garden will further our efforts to provide more fresh food options in our food boxes.
Our Team
The Red Paint Creek Food Pantry is run by a pantry manager and advised by a board of directors.
William Walking Eagle
(Gros Ventre, Lakota Sioux)
Pantry Manager
William “Gator” Walking Eagle began working at the Red Paint Creek Pantry in 2019. He enjoys being of service and giving back to the community. A natural leader, William is an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre at the Fort Belknap Reservation. Everything he does is in honor of his parents.
Our Impact
We serve households in our community by sharing resources through food boxes. Our impact is measured by who we reach and how much food we provide each year.