This year marked a historic moment at the Big Sky State Games in Billings, Montana. As the games celebrated their 40th anniversary, the opening ceremonies—held Friday, July 18, at the Lockwood High School track field—featured the flags of Montana’s eight tribal nations for the very first time. The flags were proudly carried in by representatives from each tribe or volunteers, symbolizing inclusion, recognition, and respect for Indigenous communities.
Western Native Voice played a central role in making this milestone possible as a major sponsor of this year’s games. According to Big Sky State Games Executive Director Liana Susott, the effort to include tribal flags has been years in the making. “We’ve tried the last two years, but we just haven’t had the right group to work with to make it happen,” Susott told the Billings Gazette. That changed this year thanks to a meaningful partnership with Western Native Voice.
Ronnie Jo Horse, Executive Director of Western Native Voice, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the organization’s mission to empower Native communities through leadership and civic engagement. “The leadership skills that sports build are a stepping stone for much larger leadership positions,”Horse said in an interview with the Billings Gazette. “We really wanted to empower youth… showing that we support them and that these are leadership skills.”
In another moment of pride for Western Native Voice, former WNV intern Sydney Little Light placed third in the prestigious Montana Mile—an elite event that showcases the top runners in the state. Her performance adds to the significance of Native youth representation at the games, both symbolically and athletically.
“We’re really excited about the impact this moment will have on Native youth—many of whom are competing, volunteering, and cheering from the stands,” Horse added. “Moments like this show them that they belong on every stage—athletic, civic, or cultural—and that their identity is a source of strength.”
These moments of cultural recognition and community engagement highlight the importance of honoring tribal nations not just in words, but in action.
As Susott noted, “The tribal nations are a big part of the Big Sky State Games. We just want to honor them.” ♦