Meet the team!
Meet Lailani
Oki! I’m Lailani Upham a Blackfeet storyteller, journalist, documentary filmmaker, photographer, tourism strategist, and founder of Iron Shield Creative. Raised on the Blackfeet Nation with family roots extending across the Northern Plains, I have spent my life exploring the relationship between people, place, and story.
With a background in journalism, documentary filmmaking, Indigenous tourism, conservation, and destination stewardship, I partner with Tribal Nations, tourism organizations, conservation groups, and communities to create meaningful experiences that honor both people and the landscapes they call home.
Through Iron Shield Creative, I lead guided storytelling hikes throughout Glacier National Park's East Side and Blackfeet Country, and public lands across Montana, where visitors discover breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, history, and the living stories that continue to shape our homeland. My work also includes consulting, public speaking, photography, documentary production, and land-based learning that inspires deeper connections to the natural world. I
serve as Executive Director of the Montana Indigenous Tourism Alliance and Program Manager for the Montana Indigenous Tourism Trail Project, where I work alongside Tribal communities to strengthen Indigenous tourism, destination stewardship, and community-led visitor experiences across Montana.
Whether I’m guiding visitors on a mountain trail, filming a documentary, facilitating community conversations, or speaking to audiences across the country, I believe the most powerful stories are the ones that bring people into relationship with the land—and with one another.
When I’m not working, you'll likely find me still hiking, camping, exploring Montana's backroads, searching for wildlife, or spending time with my children and grandchildren.
Experience & Leadership
Executive Director, Montana Indigenous Tourism Alliance
Program Manager, Montana Indigenous Tourism Trail Project
Former newspaper journalist and photojournalist
Documentary filmmaker and producer
Speaker on Indigenous storytelling, tourism, and conservation
Board Member, Western Montana's Glacier Country
Board Member, Montana Wildlife Federation
Member, Blackfoot Tourism Alliance (Alberta, Canada)
Advisory Council Member, Yellowstone People's Advisory Council
Cultural Traditional Mentors & Storytellers
Chief Earl Old Person was the first to give the go ahead to launch Iron Shield Creative. It was on his birthday April 13, 2021, when he told me, “This is a good thing (ISC vision). Go ahead and do it. I will be here to help you.” Later that year he passed away, but I and our team/family, whom loved him dearly, feel his spirit, support, love and his wisdom, understanding and teachings with us today. We at ISC are honored and grateful for Chief Earl Old Person’s leadership in our lifetime. ~ Lailani Upham ISC founder
Blackfeet Chief Earl Old Person, Stoo'saa'poo (Cold Wind) April 13, 1929 - October 14, 2021
“When you become a Chief, you’re expected of a lot of things. Our Chief’s in the past were the leaders. They watched for their people. They watched for things that might harm the people. They do their best to try to lead their people in a way where they won't be hurt. They were warriors.”
Darnell and Robert “Smokey” Rides At The Door
Traditional Power Couple | Amskapi Pikuni | ISC Mentors
Darnell Rides At The Door, Nii Too Kimm Mii, (Lone Camper), and Smokey Rides At The Door Ess Sta Kaawn (Dependable, Works For The People).
Darnell and Smokey are respected elders and Keeper of Traditions. They strive for a greater understanding of the Ways of Knowing of the Real People. Darnell comes from a long line of healers and knowledge keepers with emphasis on history and genealogy. She is a fourth-generation herbalist and her teachings began by her great-grandmother Mary (Grass Women) Ground. Smokey, former Blackfeet Tribal Council member is a respected hunter and gatherer. He comes from the famed Rides At The Door warrior clan on his father’s side and the Nina Oot Tatsey clan, John Tatsey, on his mother’s side. His father was known as the Blackfeet “Will Rogers” as a writer, policeman, and composer.
Darnell and Smokey are Keepers of the Ookaan (Medicine Lodge/Sun Dance), Thunder Pipe, Beaver Medicine, Painted Lodge, Brave Dogs, members and advisors to many Societies of the Amp Ska Pii Pii Kun Nii.
Darnell carries traditional knowledge use of plants that are specific to the culture and region of her ancestors.
Darnell and Smokey are parents five educated and respected children and grandparents to 17 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. They reside on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana.
Visit Darnell’s stories at Turtle Island Tales.
OUR TRIBAL CULTURAL STORYTELLER GUIDES
Carrie Bear Chief, Amskapi Pikuni
Carrie, a Blackfeet storyteller holds an understanding of tribal elders knowledge. Carrie co-pastors’ with her dad, at the Faith Dominion church on the Blackfeet Reservation. Carrie loves the mountains and stories of Bigfoot.
Termaine Edmo, Amskapi Pikuni
Termaine, Climate Change coordinator for the Blackfeet Nation, cultural youth mentor, traditionalist and passionate hiker. Termaine loves to spend time with her three awesome kiddos teaching them the Pikanii way of life.
Ryan Upham, Amskapi Pikuni/Dakota
Ryan, a wildland firefighter packed with outdoor survival knowledge and a traditional singer and drummer. Ryan loves to explore MT public lands, fish, and spend time with his son Morgan.
CULTURAL STORYTELLER GUIDES
Tyrel Fenner, Amskapi Pikuni | Little Shell
A hydrologist and social scientist who loves photography, fly fishing, hiking and sharing his knowledge with others.
Arlan Edwards, Amskapi Pikuni
Arlan is a Middle School counselor and educator. He is a traditional singer and drummer and knowledgeable of the Blackfeet cultural. He loves spending time with his daughter and son. Arlan is the grandson of Chief Earl Old Person of the Blackfeet Nation.
Aspen Many Hides, Amskapi Pikuni/Turtle Mountain Chippewa
Aspen “Istaiyi” (Deep Diving “Diver) is a devoted teacher, mother and wife. She is driven by a strong desire to help develop culturally sustaining educational opportunities through Indigenous pathways. As a protector of sacred knowledge, she is an avid herbalist and studies the traditional uses of native plants on the Siksikaitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy). Aspen enjoys time with elders in the community, her husband, and most importantly her daughter.
Joe Upham, Amskapi Pikuni/Dakota
Joe is a rancher and Air Force veteran, powwow singer, and traditional prairie chicken dancer, and an outdoorsman who enjoys exploring around Montana, and spending time with his daughter Holly Rose.
Angel Little Plume, Amskapi Pikuni
Angel Little Plume is a life-long learner of the Blackfeet language. She is currently serving at the Blackfeet Community College in the Piikani Studies Director. Angel who is known by many as a quiet, reserved woman, who grew up listening to stories from her great-grandmother and carries a rich knowledge Blackfeet history. She is a descendent of “Maistoinna” Crow Chief Reevis, the last leader of the Slickfoot Society of the Two Medicine community. Angel enjoys getting outdoors on our ancestral lands with her four children.
Naomi Billedeaux Q’lispe’/Amskapi Pikuni
Naomi is an Indigenous language advocate and teacher of the Selis Qlispe’ languages of Montana. She travels the powwow trail as a fancy dance and jingle dress dancer. Naomi is a singer and loves all realms of music. She especially loves escaping to new places and learning about other cultures as well.
Titus Upham, Amskapi Pikuni
Titus is a dad, grandpa, friend, and Pastor of First Nations Embassy of Faith located on the Blackfeet reservation. Titus is a engaging Blackfoot storyteller who carries lifetime knowledge of the cultural way of life and tribal history from his parents, and great uncle Chief Earl Old Person. Titus sense of humor has brought him along the paths of many friendships throughout the years.
Jesse DesRosier, Amskapi Pikuni
Jesse is a father, relative and friend, to many on the Blackfeet reservation. He is a Blackfoot language teacher, knowledge keeper, artist , storyteller, and leader. He grew up and resides on the Blackfeet Reservation. Jesse is an U.S. Marine veteran. He is also the Iron Shield Creative logo artist.