Cheryl Horn: Advocating for Justice, Healing Through Community, and Strengthening Native Leadership

This month, we connected with Cheryl Horn, a citizen of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, who has been at the forefront of MMIP awareness and community empowerment. A member of the Fort Belknap community, Cheryl has spent years working in tribal workforce development and advocacy, ensuring that Native voices are heard in justice reform, civic engagement, and healing initiatives. Her leadership has gained national recognition, including being named a USA Today National Woman of the Year. Cheryl’s work is rooted in collaboration, healing, and the belief that Native communities can create lasting change through collective action. In this interview, she shares her journey, insights on leadership, and the importance of strengthening Native voices through advocacy and engagement.

Tell us a bit about your background—your tribe, where you grew up, family, schools you attended, and what you’re doing now.

My name is Cheryl Horn. I’m Fort Belknap, and I grew up here in Fort Belknap. I attended Harlem School and Hays School and later went on to Aaniiih Nakoda College, where I earned a business degree. Right now, I work for the tribe in the TERO department, where we focus on contractors, employment, and building our workforce. Over the past decade, our workforce has declined significantly, and we’re working to bring training to our community and get people into stable jobs.

You’ve been recognized as a leader in advocacy, including being named a USA Today National Woman of the Year. What did that recognition mean to you, and how has it shaped your work?

I never really talk about the award, but when people reach out to me, they often say, “I Googled you,” and that’s how they learn about my work. The recognition has helped build a platform for MMIP advocacy, especially on the East Coast, where people are still largely unaware of what’s happening in Native communities. It has allowed me to share our stories and ensure that MMIP issues are gaining the national attention they deserve.

Western Native Voice focuses on empowering Native leaders. What advice do you have for young Indigenous people who want to step into leadership roles in their communities?

If you want to step into leadership, remember that there is always someone willing to help—you just have to ask. Reach out for directions, guidance, and mentorship. There are leaders who want to pass down their knowledge and see new leaders emerge. Don’t stop dreaming, and manifest your goals. You are where you put yourself, and you have the ability to build something great. Leadership is about positive thinking, self-growth, and lifting others along the way.

You serve on the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force and work with organizations like the ACLU. How do you approach collaboration, and what do you look for in allies working toward justice for Native communities?

I see myself as a contact person rather than a resource, and over time, I’ve built a network of people who genuinely follow through with their promises. When working with allies, I look for those who actively listen, show up, and do the work. Collaboration is about bringing people together to heal, sharing what has worked for others, and ensuring that advocacy efforts remain community-driven and not performative.

Beyond MMIP, what are some of the biggest challenges facing Native communities today, and where do you think more attention needs to be focused?

One of the biggest challenges is the justice system—our courts and law enforcement are underfunded and understaffed, which impacts how crime is addressed, including drugs and alcohol abuse. That, in turn, affects employment and economic stability. We need systemic changes that support our communities in a way that allows them to heal and thrive.

Civic engagement is a core part of strengthening Native voices. How do you encourage Indigenous people to get involved in voting, policy-making, and advocacy work?

Voting is critical. I’ve been involved in voter registration efforts since the Obama administration and always try to encourage people to participate. I also push for jury duty participation in tribal courts because without a strong jury pool, crimes often go unpunished. Beyond voting, we need to make civic engagement a family tradition—talk about it at home, bring your kids into the conversation, and make it a shared responsibility.

Your advocacy work is deeply personal. How do you balance the emotional weight of your work while ensuring you take care of your own well-being?

Through my past work at OPI, I was able to get trauma-informed care training, which helped me address my own healing. Self-care is essential, and I take mental health days when needed. I also believe in surrounding myself with positive energy and practicing mindfulness. You have to prioritize yourself in order to be effective in helping others.

During difficult times, what brings you joy or gives you strength to keep going? Are there people, traditions, or activities that help you stay grounded?

My grandkids bring me joy. Being able to support them and my children keeps me motivated. I also participate in community events and maintain strong family connections. Knowing that I can help people, even in small ways, keeps me going.

What do you think are the biggest misconceptions people have about MMIP cases, and what do you wish the general public better understood?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that someone always “stole” them, when in reality, many of these cases involve larger systemic issues like trafficking, substance abuse, and a lack of proper investigations. People don’t realize that MMIP affects all communities, not just Native people. We want justice and accountability, just like any other family searching for answers.

What’s next for you—any new projects or directions in advocacy or outreach?

I’m stepping into facilitating grief and healing groups, including talking circles and wellbriety sessions. These circles incorporate culture, identity, and healing practices to help individuals and families work through trauma. We’re also launching youth-focused healing programs because our children need these resources just as much as adults. We have to heal as a community and break the cycle for future generations.