https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/home daily 1.0 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/ab4a29aa-13b0-40c9-8730-2330f0add4a5/IMG_2657-2.jpg Home Sweetgrass Hills on the Northern Montana plains. January 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/11d88acd-0e0e-494e-9b13-995772c9d0c9/IMG_2567-2.jpg Home Sweetgrass Hills on the Northern Montana plains. January 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/7a4b290e-6378-4f8c-b031-bed1f75ee14c/IMG_2568-2.jpg Home Sweetgrass Hills on the Northern Montana plains. January 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/d60cd8fe-73fc-4d9f-9d6f-597a8e0fb4f3/IMG-1214.jpg Home Blackfeet Indian Reservation evening sky in Northwestern Montana. February 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/5bf89506-e08f-4fe1-8e66-6a4add5ff553/IMG-1168.jpg Home The Yellowstone River near Livingston, Montana. February, 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/69450aba-2d42-467e-a9ec-adfec5fce054/IMG-1664.jpg Home Crown of the Continent seen from the borders of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Northwestern Montana. January, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/178b58ce-1ec2-4083-9948-04a857af5eb6/IMG_2656.jpg Home Sweetgrass Hills on the Northern Montana plains. January 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/320eda80-4650-4a62-babf-1032724b0490/IMG_2564-2.jpg Home Sweetgrass Hills on the Northern Montana plains. January 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/89ce2149-4028-4774-bb05-6a3527b0c327/IMG_2821.jpg Home Sky and land contrast. A butte on the Northern border of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. March 2021. https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/about daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616271068491-049BCYT1JUESFXQU226T/visualstorytelling.jpg What Is ISC - Imagine. Understand. See. “Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/f5987e83-352b-44a3-aa51-502b69b14be9/IMG-3313.jpg What Is ISC “Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616273631876-Z9PPVWDJZFOZA88EUXFX/writing.jpg What Is ISC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616274139529-1D1WQY2DSHT8DE4CHYW8/DSLR-Camera.jpg What Is ISC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616273502337-HS61B354RGY871LQDOG4/writingworkshops.jpg What Is ISC - Book a workshop in person at your location OR Take it outside on one of our hikes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/593c6f06-e33b-4e43-99be-a7361577f96d/IMG_1470.JPG What Is ISC Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana. https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/new-page-2 daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616007218718-QDYPLU84W1VBICPW7MZ0/IRONSHIELDgrandpa.jpg Our Story - The story behind the name Iron Shield Creative. My grandfather, Indian name was “Iron Shield.” He kept the stories and history alive by sharing it with his grandchildren. Joseph Brown Upham Iron Shield, 1899-1981 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1619370084842-J4R1T0APRT21X2Y0RUTT/grandpajoe.jpg Our Story Grandpa Joe Upham Iron Shield and me, sometime a long time ago on the Blackfeet Rez. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1629689173446-ABGKWJKGHO31Y69HAJEH/IMG-5072.jpg Our Story Our logo was designed by Blackfeet artist Jesse DesRosier. https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/video-workshops daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/41dc37ea-5cfe-4b8e-b2b4-8a263bb5d259/IMG_6084.jpg Consulting & Workshops - Make it stand out Lailani Upham, Key Speaker at Montana Wildlife Federation board retreat in 2022. Serving on the MWF board since 2024. https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/video daily 0.75 2025-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/5e6ffee8-a1b3-4d13-a14b-e2b82e24ee7c/PBSPLogosign.png Video Projects - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/photography daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1d8dbeb3-bddf-482a-9edc-4ea79c288256/IMG_2988.jpg Photos Three Buttes. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Montana. (Drone photography March 2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/926f1276-addd-4474-beab-dd0184d67972/IMG_2946.jpg Photos Three Buttes. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Montana. (Lailani Upham photography March 2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/b0093695-bfbf-4530-8a13-70ef183ea713/IMG_3003.jpg Photos Three Buttes. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Montana. (Lailani Upham photography March 2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/06c265e5-54bb-4078-9b70-c491b37376d3/GNP3.jpg Photos Glacier National Park. Two Medicine Lake. (Lailani Upham photography July 2018) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/d92cc1fb-162c-47ab-bbec-b839d90e8475/GNP1.jpg Photos Glacier National Park. Highline Trail. (Lailani Upham photography, July 2018) https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/writing daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1617049184291-TOHSE1W25NAML67BVPUY/buffalo+lake.jpg Modern Huntsman Magazine: Buffalo Stone Story - Buffalo Lake, Blackfeet Reservation, Montana. Buffalo Lake, Blackfeet Reservation, Montana. (March 2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/de413c9a-90be-4d42-bdbc-d278625dc3f4/unnamed-14.jpg Modern Huntsman Magazine: Buffalo Stone Story - Make it stand out Left: A family of captive-bred Trumpeter Swans at the Montana Waterfowl Foundation in Pablo, one of the many reintroduction sites for the species in the state and region. Right: The swans play a big role in Flathead Indian Reservation history, and are a key part of the tribes' long-term efforts to build the ecosystem back up again. Photos: Matthew Hamon https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/about-us daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1617052278081-XAK3VGAKQORARLZB74Y6/IMG_2780.jpg 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/6c71ba19-477a-41e0-a4ed-5fbd67764999/earlOP.jpeg Meet The Team - 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.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1620097707110-GP87WMU3OD99WGAIARR2/Poppa+%26+Grama+nov.18.JPG Meet The Team - 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1617058574959-IDFUAVE2CINCJP8JFXH7/CARRIE.jpg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1620081585378-L9KHM12E9LDH97GGR6ZG/Terraine.jpg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1617058615263-HWIBRXDYGWIRU3A0N8C2/RYAN.jpg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1620099737817-1EM8XNXOXNYNZ0M82L8U/Tyrel.jpg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1626472921146-L9EBUE0C09Z2XQYGL5CL/Arlan.jpg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/a89b7ad8-66b3-48f3-b41d-9777bf58bb3f/Aspen.jpeg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1626231525334-S4STL5OTPBHPLF7YBYBA/IMG_5666.jpg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/7cbea54a-b18a-4258-ae07-ae5304b03913/unnamed-6.jpg Meet The Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/bd7030b5-3c1a-4ed7-bdf5-052a7954b4e0/IMG_4094.jpg Meet The Team - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/14e7ac18-6840-4639-a530-7acfe3116db2/C414ED3A-7D42-4266-828B-26A1E0E60B17.JPG Meet The Team - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/services-6-1 daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/10659538-0afc-46a7-a9a3-1b1e7bf1d91e/C350DD59-11B1-4590-B897-ADBC4B9D1F55.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/0cedfb42-2535-4dea-865f-d27940d5e688/80CA316C-C922-4C92-B7A7-A6A106532C02.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/e3d6ddd1-c39e-46bd-bd75-40f6150ba15a/tempImageHvPNla.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/d48f57cd-57de-471f-a952-8da13dde4a63/IMG_0670+3+Large.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/3f029a2f-94b8-4452-b148-f6725e5b58f3/IMG_4877.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/51ece5de-88c0-408a-ba72-ec31a1ec661f/IMG_3251+Large.jpeg https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/team-3 daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/c8512206-f471-400f-bd7a-8d1bf6ad7815/IL_logo_stacked_color_RGB_small.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/dff6e063-ef45-46e5-b229-690e17130390/IMG_2650.jpg https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/services-photovideo-retreat daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616271989356-DNVZRBVHGE4S8IL7X9HD/photography.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1619972151707-45CH9PAZZ8AV8D61KH9L/IMG_2567-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/a07279c7-dfc2-4d91-a058-b227dd0746c5/tempImageXuRqcv.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1654130654374-3K6UT9F656PJOPZRCUUZ/IMG-0079.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/52869386-e49e-44a4-a310-1038d14ae800/IMG_6191.jpg https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/featured-in daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/9c29d463-4361-46fb-9e7f-0b48e0015cea/RStumpf_CNT_USCanadaTravel_7259_1_1.webp Featured In https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/0138a8d5-b719-4c29-8b31-fa96d05ac032/iron-shield-header-980x551.jpg Featured In https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/01e452f0-06a2-4eb2-bf28-9c25168a890d/Culture-Echoes-from-the-Nitowas-echoes_1_adj.jpg Featured In https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/73748b73-3811-48c0-9c61-ee3c2a440860/MTk5NjgzODEyNjQzMzE2ODM5.webp Featured In https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/portfolio-2 daily 0.75 2026-06-29 https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/portfolio-2/project-five-sfddm monthly 0.5 2021-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1ae48d52-1282-44ea-ab29-c68b268fc88a/IMG_2323-2.jpg Portfolio - Family Portraits Family portraits telling a story of the connection to the landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/223cb136-7f88-49b7-9136-90b7d70598d3/IMG_2334-2.jpg Portfolio - Family Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/4edf3c57-5203-4f54-a9c3-3b007b42c187/IMG_2297-2.jpg Portfolio - Family Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/162267ae-8237-4866-9d3e-a9101751e1bf/IMG_2343-2.jpg Portfolio - Family Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/5cb811b5-aa69-407c-baec-4b0dbb844bd1/IMG_2248-2.jpg Portfolio - Family Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/8c8e449c-3055-43ed-964d-5664ed1991c9/IMG_2316-2.jpg Portfolio - Family Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/ec53d4b8-b36d-45fb-bd7f-f82bf3bfcf10/IMG_2277-2.jpg Portfolio - Family Portraits https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/portfolio-2/project-four-dscp2 monthly 0.5 2021-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/d5f498e0-0f3d-471c-9a36-caccfc2e051a/GroundDog.jpg Portfolio - 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Tell your story without words. Through still photography. Check out our cultural workshop hikes! https://www.ironshieldcreative.com/portfolio-2/project-one-w8r4m monthly 0.5 2021-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/4b499d27-597a-4289-942c-c7c21a553d6d/IMG_2567-2.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616001706891-ER8H8IOKGQHK7G3N23OV/IMG_2657-2.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616001741972-TK62X74TVSZFZY9TU9LI/IMG_2564-3.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616001793254-B572KNJNEK5TM9EYWD8A/IMG_2821.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616001868843-2YTORBVI3TDSXUAXWFCS/IMG_2569.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003007420-1QCHLEHU2VX7MRT4IMH8/IMG-1214.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003027403-HSLE01SWB6PYTDBVPU8P/IMG-1168.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003085691-KGNYU9I5ENVB720D3FEK/IMG-1754.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003347516-JP2GE72TMBB72V699COP/IMG-1664.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003638893-VLXGAPXP47UJLXIF2RDX/ChiefMtn.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003650813-IVRW5119Y70X9GMTJEUG/ChiefMountain.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003657694-36GFI7ZS0WGU326UO2H3/GNP5.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/604d114e22e44a51184c2677/1616003681660-R73Y2Z8B0GIZGIE6B5E8/GNP6.jpg Portfolio - Montana Landscapes - Original Indigenous territory