ST. IGNATIUS — Native American firefighters have been an integral part of Montana's wildfire response for over 60 years, from pioneering smokejumpers in the 1960s to elite hotshot crews that battled blazes across the nation.

Their contributions helped protect communities and landscapes while creating economic opportunities for tribal members, though federal funding cuts have since diminished their once-prominent role.

Homer Courville, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, was among the first Native Americans to break barriers in wildfire fighting. He started young, fighting his first fire at just 16 years old.

Watch to learn more about the history of Native American firefighters: Montana's Indigenous firefighters leave lasting mark on wildfire history

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