Our Stories, Our Strength: A Look Back at Native American Heritage Month

As we wrap up Native American Heritage Month, we want to honor the many ancestors—those who came before us and those still walking with us—who helped bring us to this moment in history. We continue to live in two worlds, but we do so with strength, clarity, and pride. From trailblazers like Elouise Cobell to present-day leaders like educator Mike Jetty, their stories remind us that we are still here, and we are resilient.

Photo Left: Elouise Cobelle, a tribal elder and activist, banker, rancher, and lead plaintiff in the groundbreaking class-action suit Cobell v. Salazar, click here to read her story. Photo Right: Montana Educator and Indian Education Specialist, Mike Jetty, click here to read his story.

In November, we shared trivia and stories on our social media to help reconnect us with our history. Many of us grew up without learning basic facts about our own tribes because our history was not taught in schools. Our parents and grandparents often attended those same schools or were sent to boarding schools where they were forced to assimilate into the white world. Today, we stand in a different place—able to reclaim our identity, honor our cultures, and speak proudly about who we are and where we come from.

We are grateful for the generations who paved the way: those who fought for our right to vote, challenged injustices, and refused to be silenced. We see that same determination today in the people defending our rights in the courts, testifying at the state legislature, and drafting policies that strengthen our communities.

Heritage Month gave us a chance to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate our strength. Now we turn toward the work ahead—educating our youth, protecting our rights, engaging our communities, and ensuring our voices continue to shape Montana. We invite you to stay involved, stay informed, and stay committed as we move into the next chapter together.

Expanding Horizons Youth Program Highlights

This November, Western Native Voice’s Executive Director, Ronnie Jo Horse, and Youth Program Director, Tristen Belgarde, visited schools on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation to lead civic engagement classes for juniors and seniors. In partnership with the Montana League of Women Voters, students learned about the power of their vote, why their voices matter, and the different types of elections that shape their communities and the state.

Each student received a bag of resources to continue learning, including:

  • The Montana Constitution
  • Informational bookmarks
  • A copy of our History of the Native Vote booklet
  • Voter registration education materials

As part of the program, every student went through the voter registration process and completed their registration forms, taking an important step toward participating in upcoming elections.

Western Native Voice will continue these classes in reservation schools across Montana, helping students understand not only how to vote, but why their participation strengthens their communities, honors their ancestors, and shapes the future of Native nations.

Western Native Voice is committed to empowering the next generation through these classes, with the hope that students will carry this knowledge forward—encouraging their families, friends, and communities to engage in the civic process and make their voices heard.

Highlighting Montana’s Civic Engagement at NCAI

Western Native Voice Executive Director, Ronnie Jo Horse, recently participated in the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) panel, “From the Ground Up: Civic Engagement in Indian Country,” in Seattle. The panel brought together grassroots leaders from Washington, Montana, and Arizona to share strategies, experiences, and successes in building civic power within Native communities.

During the discussion, Ronnie Jo highlighted Western Native Voice’s ongoing get-out-the-vote efforts across Montana, emphasizing the importance of engaging communities directly and making Native voices central to decision-making processes.

Photo: Ronnie Jo Horse presenting at NCAI’s panel in Seattle.

The panel reinforced a key truth: our work is strongest when Native voices lead the way. By sharing knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned, organizations across Indian Country are creating lasting change—building civic participation from the community up.

Western Native Voice is proud to stand alongside these organizations, continuing to empower our communities, encourage participation, and ensure Native voices are heard in elections, policy decisions, and beyond.

Advocacy, Challenges, and the Power of Our Voices

November was a challenging month for many, beginning with local elections that reminded us just how important it is for every voice to be heard. We are grateful for everyone who recognized the impact of these elections on our communities and took action.

The government shutdown created additional hardships, with SNAP benefits delayed and many government services unavailable—particularly on reservations, where so many people rely on these programs. During this time, the work of Western Native Voice’s Keaton Sunchild in Washington, D.C., was more important than ever. Keaton tirelessly monitored developments, advocated for Native communities, and provided staff with daily updates and weekly reports on what was happening in real time. His dedication—long days and late nights included—helped ensure that Native voices were represented at the highest levels of government.

November was a tough month for many, with delayed benefits and furloughs affecting families and communities. Yet, through it all, the power of collective action shone through with many people across the country donating food to the local food banks. Thanks to the voices of people like you reaching out to our federal representatives, letting them know we are present and engaged, we are reminded that advocacy works. Together, we stand for what is right for our communities and for the American people.

We are grateful for all who lift their voices and for leaders like Keaton who work tirelessly to ensure our voices are heard at every level of government.