Empowering Leaders Through Community Engagement
Western Native Voice utilizes a culturally relevant community organizing model to empower emerging leaders and engage our members in meaningful ways. Our training programs are tailored to the unique needs of attendees, sharing principles and best practices that honor and reflect the diversity of Indigenous identities.
Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
- Internship Opportunities: We recruit, hire, and train interns from tribal colleges and universities, providing hands-on experience in leadership and community organizing.
- One-on-One Engagement: Through personalized interviews, we identify potential Native leaders, assess their skills and interests, and help them develop their leadership potential.
- Leadership Conferences and Training: We host targeted conferences and workshops to expand and strengthen the leadership pool within Indian Country.
Building Leaders for All Levels of Governance
Our goal is to prepare leaders to address critical issues in our communities—from tribal governance to federal policymaking—while fostering collaboration with allies to amplify our movements.
Through these initiatives, Western Native Voice is creating a foundation of empowered leaders ready to drive change and advocate for the rights, sovereignty, and prosperity of Native communities.
Our Program
- Identifying and Training New Leaders: We equip the next generation of Native leaders with the tools and skills they need to lead effectively and make a difference.
- Building a Circle of Leaders: By cultivating leadership within Native communities, we create a supportive and collaborative network of change-makers.
- Strengthening Civic Leadership: Our program nurtures a strong base of civic leaders and public servants committed to advancing Native priorities.
- Collaborating Across Movements: We build meaningful relationships with organizations focused on racial, social, environmental, and economic justice. Together, we amplify our impact by partnering with Native and non-Native organizations across urban, rural, local, regional, and national levels.
- Fostering a National Coalition: By uniting organizations and leaders, we strengthen leadership in Indian Country and advocate for policies that benefit Native communities.
Through these efforts, our program empowers leaders to create a brighter future for Indian Country and beyond.
Voice of Change Award Recipients
Dolores Plumage
Fort Belknap
Dolores Plumage, a citizen of the Fort Belknap Indian Community, made history as the first Native American woman elected as a county commissioner in Montana, representing Blaine County. She has dedicated her career to strengthening collaboration between tribal and county governments, advocating for infrastructure improvements, emergency services, and economic development. Dolores has been a strong voice for Native representation in local government, ensuring that the needs of her community are heard. Her leadership and dedication continue to make a lasting impact. Congratulations Dolores!

Lewellyn (Greg) Dawes
Lodge Grass
Lewellyn (Greg) Dawes, a graduate of Lodge Grass High School, has faced various obstacles in his life, from homelessness to addiction, and has preserved through it all. In school, Lewellyn is a leader and mentor who teachers robotics to K-12 students. Lewellyn recently shared his story and goals at the 2nd Annual Indigenous Movements Interchange in Great Falls. Lewellyn brings deep insight and humor to all of his projects and initiatives. Lewellyn will attend Montana State University – Bozeman in the fall. Congratulations Greg!

Chase Comes At Night
Billings
Chase, a graduate from Skyview High School in Billings, served on the District 2 Billings Schools Tribal Council, a council comprised of Native American students from the 3 Billings public high schools. Chase, along with other Native American students from across Montana, testified in support of Senate Bill 319, also known as the Regalia Bill, a law which protects the right for individuals to wear tribal regalia and objects of culture significance at public events such as high school graduation. He shared his Regalia Bill experience and voice at the 1st Annual Indigenous Movements Interchange conference while on the youth voices panel. Chase plans on attending the University of Montana and will study law. Congratulations Chase!

Lynell Shepherd
Missoula
Lynell, an incoming senior at Big Sky High School, was selected as a recipient of a Voice of Change award for her work in starting the Native Youth Council (NYC). NYC was created to enhance culture, academics and identity by creating a collective voice empowering Native youth in our communities. NYC works in collaboration with the Missoula Urban Indian Health Center (MUIHC) and with the support of the Missoula County Public Schools Indian Education for All program. Lynell’s goal as a leader is to inspire all Native Youth, to be young leaders in their communities and to have them be confident in not only themselves but in their peers about making decisions in their community. She says “making a decision is hard, especially for youth, but if you have your peers and the confidence to make a strong, important decision, that’s what gives you the confidence to become a strong leader. Becoming a leader takes time, practice, and hard work, but anybody can do it.” Congratulations Lynell!

Noah Berthelson
Browning
Noah, a Junior at Browning High School, has been selected for his organizing work within the March for Our Lives movement. Noah, then a sophomore at BHS, planned a walkout at his school and said more than 80 percent of people who voted in his poll said they would join him.
Berthelson said the walkout was important in order to bring awareness to mental health, as well as encourage policy reform from lawmakers. “If we can band together and really work towards this, we can help alleviate the crisis of school shootings,” said Noah. Congratulations Noah!
