From civic engagement in high school to dreams of public office, Matteo’s story is just beginning
Western Native Voice is proud to feature, Matteo Putra, a graduating high school senior and a strong example of youth leadership in action. As a participant in the Expanding Horizons Youth Program, Matteo has shown a deep commitment to civic engagement, community involvement, and creating positive change.
With goals of one day running for office, Matteo represents a new generation of young leaders who are stepping up, using their voices, and helping shape the future. We asked Matteo to share, in his own words, what inspires him and why being involved in the community matters to him.
Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Matteo Putra, I’m from Billings Montana, and currently enrolled in the Chippewa Cree Tribe. After graduating, I plan on attaining a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Montana State University. My ambition in politics is driven by my love for my people, and the want I have to see my community get better day after day. I do not come from a traditional family. I do not have a mother, she left a long time ago, a story too familiar for many Natives. The people who surround me now, my father, my friends, and the ones I love ultimately drive me to engage in politics, so hopefully one day I can make a change that makes their lives even just a little bit easier. Currently I serve on the Western Native Voice Student Board as president, and have been a part of the board for 2 years, and involved with the organization for 3 years.
What first inspired your interest in politics and public leadership? Was there a moment?
Politics had always been something running in the background of my life, and I occasionally heard about it on the news or on social media, but it was never at the forefront of my life until the January sixth insurrection. At the time of the insurrection, I had been sitting in class, like any other day. Suddenly, my teacher tells us that something big is happening and proceeds to turn on the projector. I see the crowd at the capitol and rioters fighting capitol officers. The obvious and normal reaction was shock. While I was taking it all in, I heard my classmates talking. Instead of rebuking what was happening, they were cheering for it. They were cheering for the rioters hurting the police officers and agreeing with the claim that the election had been rigged. I was simply appalled, so I spoke up. I told my classmates that what was happening wasn’t right. Immediately I was shut down by my peers. I kept talking regardless of what they said or believed, and I spoke what I felt because I was passionate about it. After the insurrection, I had taken a deeper dive into politics, writing essays for fun, just to test my own political knowledge. I inserted myself into circles at school, just to debate politics. At the end of that school year, I had changed some people’s minds on politics, and they chose to leave their previous beliefs behind in favor of what I myself felt passionate about. The feeling was great, to have others finally come to a consensus and agree with me made me proud, and from then on, I kept debating and kept sharing my voice in hopes it would change just a couple minds.
What are some of the issues affecting Native communities that matter most to you personally?
Native Americans are one of the most under-represented minorities in America. When we are represented in the media, we are displayed as savages, or dirty. This stereotype is dead wrong, and has a terrible effect on Natives, especially the youth. Growing up, I had been teased constantly. Questions about if I lived in a tipi, or if I only ate buffalo. As I grew older, the comments got worse, with people suggesting I might scalp them if I get too angry. The truth is Native Americans are people. We are no different from others, and we all bleed the same color. Media representation is not the worst of Native American issues, as drugs and alcohol plague our people. Alcoholism is a plague on our people and is very near and dear to my own heart. I have seen first-hand what addiction can do, and it is certainly not pleasant. Natives are more susceptible to become addicted to drugs and alcohol because of systemic inequity. On the reservations, many turn to alcohol because they are impoverished, and there is no other escape for them. We need a way to show our people on a mass scale that drugs and alcohol is not a way out, and that it will only hold us back.
Matteo and other students met with Montana representatives in Washington, DC this past Spring while participating in Close Up, a long-running, nonpartisan civic education program focused on helping young people understand government and become more engaged citizens.
You hope to one day serve in public office. What kind of leader do you want to be for your community?
Holding any public office means you become a servant to the people. If one day I can hold the honor of public office, I want to be the leader who serves purely in the best interest of constituents and be a voice for them on an amplified scale. Our leaders are supposed to care for us, and be the people we can trust and turn to. I want to be the kind of leader that works in the best interest of everyone, even if they do not support me.
How has growing up in Billings shaped your experience as a Native young person?
Living in an urban setting as a young Native American has its drawbacks, but also great positives. It is hard to be the only Native student in a classroom, or in most instances the only student who is not white. Billings has an over 80 percent white population, which makes it difficult to find other Native Americans and create a meaningful connection with them. Another drawback is being so far away from culture. The social norms are different in urban areas. Wearing my hair long was never an option because I didn’t want to look like a girl. On the reservation, if you don’t wear your hair long your manhood may be questioned. The best positives about living here are the resources. Resources like Western Native Voice, which put me in a position to get my voice heard and to push myself to become a better leader.
Western Native voice gave me connections to other organizations which I wouldn’t have been able to find on my own.
I was able to connect with the people at the ACLU of Montana purely because of Western Native Voice. Many kids on the reservations don’t get opportunities like I did. Being in an urban setting has helped me become a stronger individual, and helped me get my voice heard, but has also hurt my understanding of my own culture.
What has helped you stay connected to your culture, identity, and community?
My family has been the biggest support for my culture. Like many Natives, I am sure a lot of us have a grandmother who we admire, and who helps stay in the loop with our culture. My grandmother set aside her own resources and time to take me to ceremonies and sweats, helping me earn my name, Heat Wave Thunderbird.
Our families and their connections can be powerful.
Families and loved ones are resources and can help all of us stay in touch with our culture and identity. The indigenous community in Billings is not a large one but is a caring one. School has been a key player in helping native youth connect with one another. Each school has an indigenous club where students can socialize and create connections, which I personally utilized to meet other Native Americans within my own school.
What changes would you like to see in education when it comes to teaching Native history and perspectives?
While our local education system in Billings is stellar, it still has things to work on. The education here may reinforce stereotypes. It does not teach current culture. It will teach students how Natives were mistreated and the history of wars and how we got to the reservations we reside on, but that leaves the current day out. In the present, Native Americans are just like anyone else, but with a little culture on the side. We are no longer how the history books portray us, and that is an important concept that not everyone understands. The best way to fix this would be to add a unit that teaches current day Natives. How we practice our culture today. Teach about how we use the sweat lodges today, and how we go about ceremony today instead of only teaching the past.
How have personal experiences within your family or community influenced the choices you’ve made for your own future?
As a child, I saw addiction firsthand. I saw my family in dismay, and unstable. Living unstable, especially as a child, is deeply unsettling and depressing. Enduring that at a young age instilled a personal vow I have made to myself to never touch drugs or alcohol, no matter how tempting. I was able to see how life was in alcoholism, and after my family recovered, I became happier than ever. I got the stability I wanted and was able to confide in my family. Seeing my family being sober and succeeding in such great ways is an inspiration. Seeing my loved ones sober made me happier than I could’ve ever been, and that happiness is the reason why I made the choice I did about drugs and alcohol.
Why is it important for young people to have positive mentors, support systems, and opportunities around them?
Young people can not navigate the world alone, no matter how much confidence they may have. They need people who cheer them on, people to support them. It is so important to have a mentor because they can give advice. Everyone is lost at one point or another, and having a mentor will make finding the path to success much easier.
This quote describes it perfectly:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
This quote describes why young people need mentors and support systems. None of us can make it alone, no matter how hard we try. We all need someone to be our anchor when we need them. When young people get lost, especially in addiction, they need someone to pull them out of it, or they may unfortunately be stuck there forever. We go far by making connections with those around us, and by taking every opportunity we can get our hands on.
Tell me about a time you really struggled. How did you get through it? What did you learn?
Living without my mother has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. It has always been an issue in my life, and has hurt me in unimaginable ways. The questions of self-doubt were the worst, as I pondered if I could really accomplish goals that I had set for myself. During the summer between junior and senior year, I had struggled internally about why she had chosen to be absent. I was able to get through that tough time by spending time with my family. While I was missing my mother, I had come to a greater happiness with my family. That summer me and my father had gone to an amusement park, and I had more fun than I ever had before.
Spending time with my father helped me overcome any question I had about self-doubt, and he helped me become more confident in myself.
I learned that these battles cannot be fought alone. Others are essential to healing, and no matter how much you might think you can bear anything alone, connection with others will always help more than any other medicine or method of self-care.
Matteo and his father spending time together at a local fishing hole in Billings.
What motivated you to get involved with Western Native Voice and youth leadership work?
The first youth conference had come, and I met some really amazing friends. I created long-lasting friendships, and these friends moved forward with the Western Native Voice Student Board. I had joined the board to see what they were doing and how they were engaging civically. Seeing Tristen Belgarde, the youth advisor, push my friend to be a leader inspired me. Seeing my friend make decisions for the group had created a desire to be like him, and to be someone who people could confide in and trust.
What leadership experience or opportunity has had the biggest impact on your confidence and growth?
In Late 2025, I was invited by the ACLU of Montana to be a panelist at an event they were holding locally. I read the email they had sent me, and to be honest, the first thought I had was, am I even qualified to say yes? Without knowing the answer to that question, I had moved forward and replied that I would love to be a part of it. As the event grew closer, I got more nervous. The day grew closer and closer until it was finally the day. I walked into the panel and had the dinner they were offering. I noticed one stark thing, and it was that I was the youngest person in the room. It was an odd feeling. I heard the people in front of me talking about meeting at the supreme court, and others next to me talking about complex policies. I sat there listening to these conversations eating my cheeseburger thinking it was crazy that these people were there to hear me speak with other panelists. I found it crazy that these high-profile people were there to hear my voice. After the panel had ended, many of those in the audience came up to me and told me I did amazing, and they think that I will end up doing amazing things. After this event, I moved with my head a little higher, and truly believed I belonged in any room I was in.
Matteo participated in a panel to discuss the challenges and progress in Indian Country after the screening of the ACLU sponsored film, “Indigenous Voting Rights in Montana”. Pictured, L to R: Alex Rate/ACLU, Keaton Sunchild Western Native Voice, Mateo/Student, and moderator, Akilah Deernose/ED ACLU-MT.
You’ve been involved in activities like debate and sports. What have those experiences taught you about discipline and leadership?
Sports have taught me lessons in resilience I could not have learned elsewhere. Discipline I learned from football. I paid for forgetting a piece of gear before a game with my body. After practice, the head coach called me to see him. He ordered me to bear crawl 100 yards, sprint back, bear jump 100 yards, sprint back, log roll 100 yards and sprint back. The entire time, the coach walked by my side yelling at me to take responsibility, and that I was suffering the consequences for my own actions. Accountability helps me today by keeping me in line. In track, my coach would run next to me while I winded up for a throw telling me I could throw farther. Things like that taught me that with practice, anything is possible, and seeing them lead inspired me to become a better player and a better student.
Through football with the Billings Senior High Broncos, Matteo Putra learned discipline, responsibility, and resilience.
What does it mean to you to represent Native youth in spaces where Native voices are often underrepresented?
Representing others is and always will be a heavy weight to carry, but it means a lot to me because I know I represent Native American youth in the right way, and I myself tear through stereotypes and stand out from my peers. Representing my culture is liking carrying a torch that burns hotter than the sun, but I know I can do it right.
What advice would you give to younger Native students who may be struggling with confidence or finding their place?
Keep your head up. There is a long journey ahead, and you have to be ready for anything that may come your way. Being a Native American means that no one expects that much from you, so show them that you can break any standard and record you want to. Never limit yourself. Always be optimistic, there are only so many days you live, so don’t waste a single one, ever. You belong in any room you walk in, no matter who’s in the room.
What gives you hope when you think about the future of Native communities and the next generation?
The next generation of Native Americans is going to be an amazing one. I already see people younger than me doing bigger things, which is so amazing to see, because that means that they are going above and far beyond. Seeing the work ethic of the current Native student is inspirational within itself. So many young Natives suffer from trauma, and seeing them in school with me is so amazing to see because it means that they are fighting through their own personal issues to better themselves.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I will see myself in a local government office. I see myself making law, making decisions and voting in the best interest of everyone I represent. I see myself with my degree in political science. I see myself representing Native Americans to the fullest. In 10 years hopefully I will be inspiring the next generation to do great things and have made accomplishments myself and my family could be proud of.
Any last words? Anything to add?
Family is the strongest thing you have. There is no one you can trust like family. If you don’t know why you want to do something, choose to do it for your family. When I struggle to get up in the morning, I think about how my father used to walk miles in the freezing cold to get to work to provide for me. Thinking about that pushes me to do a lot of things and gives me confidence to do things I otherwise wouldn’t. Let family be your anchor and do whatever you can to hold onto them.
Make love, not war.