Join us for a special screening of Bring Them Home/Aiskótáhkapiyaaya at the Montana Tech Library Auditorium in Butte on Tuesday, October 29 from 7-9 PM!
Save the date for the 2024 Tribal-State Policy Summit, presented by the Montana Budget & Policy Center and Western Native Voice, which will take place from Oct. 21st to 23rd.
This three-day virtual event, guided by the State Budget Handbook for Indian Country, is designed for tribal leaders, college students, faculty, staff, and advocates from Indian Country.
The Summit will cover:
The impacts of state budgets and policies on Indian Country
Key strategies for tracking legislative activities
Advice on how to provide public comments
Each session will delve into essential topics, culminating in a panel discussion with experienced advocates and experts, including members of the Montana American Indian Caucus.
Click the link to register for the 2024 Tribal-State Policy Summit to equip yourself with the tools and insights needed to amplify your community’s voice and advance your policy objectives. Plus, every attendee has a chance to win daily prizes!
With absentee ballots set to start hitting mailboxes on October 11, Native voters across Montana are being encouraged to prepare by using Ballot Builder, an online tool designed to simplify the voting process. Western Native Voice, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing Native political participation, is promoting the tool as part of its broader civic engagement efforts ahead of the 2024 election.
What is Ballot Builder?
Ballot Builder allows voters to create a personalized sample ballot based on their home address. The tool provides users with a detailed look at the candidates, ballot initiatives, and issues that will appear on their local ballot. By offering accessible information in a straightforward format, Ballot Builder helps voters make informed decisions before heading to the polls or mailing in their absentee ballots.
Why Ballot Builder is Important for Native Voters
Western Native Voice has consistently highlighted the unique challenges faced by Native voters, including limited access to polling locations and a lack of information about candidates and policies that affect Native communities. Ballot Builder is designed to address these challenges by providing easy access to relevant, community-focused information.
For Native voters, this tool can be especially helpful in understanding how candidates’ positions on issues like healthcare, education, and tribal sovereignty will impact their communities. By making the voting process more transparent, Western Native Voice aims to empower Native voters to participate confidently in the electoral process.
How to Use Ballot Builder
Voters can access Ballot Builder by visiting wnv.branch.vote. Once on the site, users simply input their address to receive a personalized sample ballot. The platform provides detailed descriptions of each candidate and ballot initiative, allowing voters to review and make informed decisions.
The tool is mobile-friendly and can be accessed on any device, making it easy for voters to use at their convenience.
Western Native Voice’s Broader Mission
Ballot Builder is just one aspect of Western Native Voice’s efforts to increase Native voter turnout and participation. The organization has been actively involved in voter registration drives, educational events, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaigns, all aimed at helping Native communities engage more fully in the political process.
For more information about Ballot Builder, visit wnv.branch.vote.
MONTANA — In September, Western Native Voice launched the Snag Dat Vote Tour, a crucial effort to strengthen Native political engagement in five Native communities—Blackfeet, Rocky Boy, Fort Belknap, Polson (CSKT area), and Fort Peck. Each stop was a two-day event designed to empower Native voters through education, community building, and direct action, with the ultimate goal of increasing voter turnout in the 2024 election.
The first night of each stop featured a community feed, where local residents came together to share a meal and engage in meaningful discussions about the power of their vote. The conversations went beyond just the mechanics of voting; they highlighted why every vote matters in shaping the future for Native communities. By explaining how votes are counted and discussing the real impact voting has on issues like healthcare, education, and sovereignty, the tour helped motivate attendees to participate in the election.
The second day was all about action. Western Native Voice’s field team went door-to-door, engaging with community members on a personal level. Over 100 doors were knocked at each stop, with 33% of those interactions resulting in new voter registrations. These efforts were part of a larger strategy to boost voter engagement ahead of the October 7th voter registration deadline.
“Our field team worked hard to get as many voter registrations as possible before the deadline,” said Sami Walking Bear, Western Native Voice’s Field & Outreach Director. Walking Bear noted that the team, along with community organizers, knocked on over 500 doors across the tour stops. They not only registered new voters but also provided election information and offered assistance to those needing help with getting to the polls or submitting their ballots.
To celebrate the momentum and energy from the canvassing efforts, the second night of each stop featured a voter celebration. Musicians and comedians performed, providing entertainment and reinforcing the message that voting can be both powerful and enjoyable. These events helped bring the community together and promote active participation in the electoral process.
The Snag Dat Vote Tour focused on building a culture of civic engagement within Native communities. Western Native Voice remains committed to empowering Native people to take an active role in shaping their future through voting, ensuring that every Native voice is heard in the 2024 election.
BILLINGS, Mont. — On September 27, community members, advocates, and organizations gathered outside the Yellowstone County Courthouse for a vigil addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Strong Hearts Strong Minds, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, MMIP Billings, Billings First Church, NADC, Montana State University Billings, the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, and Western Native Voice contributed to the event by offering healing spaces and advocacy. Western Native Voice also assisted with setup, donated chairs, and tabled at the event, securing over 20 voter registrations to empower Native communities politically.
Voting is essential in addressing the MMIP crisis. By electing leaders who prioritize justice and resources for Native communities, voting can help drive the systemic changes needed to address the root causes of this ongoing tragedy. Native communities have the power to shift the policies that impact them most by using their voice at the ballot box.
The MMIP crisis continues to disproportionately affect Native communities, with Native women facing murder rates 10 times higher than the national average. Community members gathered outside the courthouse to share stories of pain and loss, speaking about their loved ones who are missing or have been lost to violence. The vigil became both a moment of remembrance and a call for action, focusing on legislative and societal change.
As the event drew to a close, the importance of voting as a means to effect change resonated with many in attendance. The MMIP crisis, long ignored by mainstream America, now commands greater attention in places like Billings, thanks to the persistent efforts of these organizations. The community’s determination to make their voices heard is growing—and with it, the hope for a future where the safety and well-being of Native communities are prioritized.
October 11
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6:00 pm
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9:00 pm
Western Native Voice and Montana Conservation Voters present: SNAG DAT VOTE TOUR – October 11, 2024, in Great Falls, MT
Join us for an evening of community engagement, voter outreach, and spectacular entertainment as we work to build Native power at the polls!
Thursday, 10.11.2024 | 6 PM onwards
Heritage Hall, Great Falls College, Great Falls, MT
Event Highlights:
Community Gathering & Meal: Start the evening with a delicious meal and learn about the importance of voting, how to register, and how you can make your voice heard.
Host & MC: Chris LaTray
Headline Singer: Armond Duck Chief
Ballot Drop Off: Conveniently drop off your ballot at our event.
Let’s come together for the community, enjoy the entertainment, and Snag Dat Vote!
Join us for an exciting night of community engagement, voter outreach, and entertainment as we work to build Native power at the polls!
Thursday, 10.10.2024 | 7 PM
Little Big Horn College
18 & Over Only | Voter Celebration Show
Join us for a Voter Celebration featuring live music from Shadow Devereaux and Nataanii Means, plus a comedy show with Donovan “Beef” Archambault and Jim Ruel!
Let’s come together for the community, enjoy the entertainment, and Snag Dat Vote!
Join us for an exciting night of community engagement, voter outreach, and great food as we work to build Native power at the polls!
Monday, 10.09.2024 | 6-8 PM
Little Big Horn College
All Ages Welcome | Free Community Feed
We’re starting the tour with a Community Gathering and a free meal! Learn about the importance of voting, how to register, and how you can make your voice heard. This is your chance to become a member of Western Native Voice and engage in meaningful civic discussions while enjoying great food!
Let’s come together for the community, enjoy a meal, and Snag Dat Vote!
Join us an exciting night of community engagement, voter outreach, and entertainment as we work to build Native power at the polls!
Tuesday, 10.08.2024 | 7 PM
Charing Horse Bingo Hall
18 & Over Only | Voter Celebration Show
Join us for a Voter Celebration featuring live music from Shadow Devereaux and Nataanii Means, plus a comedy show with Donovan “Beef” Archambault and Marc Yaffee!
Let’s come together for the community, enjoy the entertainment, and Snag Dat Vote!
