Join Western Native Voice in Helena for Lobbying Days! This two day event will give you the opportunity to view the legislative process up close. This includes tours of the Capitol Building, watching committee hearings from in the room, viewing floor sessions from the gallery, plus a rally in the historic rotunda.
We only have limited spots for this unique event, so sign up quickly to ensure your place!
Join Western Native Voice in Helena for our Lobbying Days. This two day event will allow you an up close experience in the legislative process. There will be opportunities to meet sitting legislators, tour the capitol building, watch committee hearings, observe floor sessions, and more! Join us today.
Join us for a night of community, culture, and celebration at the “Step Into the New Year Together Round Dance”!
When: January 17, 2025
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM
Where: MSUB Glacier Room
Highlights:
Open Call for Singers
Contests:
**Beaded Auntie Earring Contest
**Ribbon Shirt & Ribbon Skirt Contest
**Best War Cry Contest
**Best Lulu Contest
Everyone Welcome! This is a FREE event, so bring your family and friends! Let’s honor our traditions and celebrate the season together.
Hosted by:
Montana State University Billings Native American Achievement Center
Western Native Voice
Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council
Indigenous Education – Native Public Schools
Rocky Mountain College Native American Outreach
Billings Urban Indian Community
We can’t wait to see you there!
When: January 15, 2025 | Noon – 2 PM
Where: Keller Williams, 80 25th St West, Billings, MT
Join us for the Native American Communications Cohort Lunch & Learn session hosted by Western Native Voice!
Topic: Data-Driven Decision Making for Marketing
Learn how to:
Interpret data for Native audiences
Leverage analytics for informed decisions
Develop culturally relevant strategies
Bring your own lunch and your questions as we explore how data can help us create impactful campaigns and amplify Native voices!
Questions? Contact Tracie Garfield at (406) 869-1938.
Need a ride to vote? Call 406-869-1938!
Western Native Voice’s trusted organizers are ready to give you a ride to the polls or will safely deliver your ballot to the election office!
Be a super voter! Let’s get the Native Vote out this election. Our voices matter!
No need to wait. Vote early!
BILLINGS, Mont. — On October 14, 2024, Western Native Voice, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples Day Montana, hosted a day-long celebration in Billings, Montana, for Indigenous Peoples Day. This event brought together community members and allies for a meaningful recognition of Indigenous history, culture, resilience, and a tribute to all Indigenous people of all cultures.
Tracie Garfield, Communications Director at Western Native Voice, emphasized the importance of the celebration, stating, “When we don’t know our past, we don’t know where to aim for the future. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day helps us understand our roots and envision a brighter future together.”
Embracing History and Reflection
The day began with a teepee art installation by artist Ben Pease at Black Otter Trail, overlooking Billings—a visual tribute to Indigenous strength and connection to the land. Community members gathered at Boothill Burial Ground for an opening reflection and a moment of global Indigenous recognition, paying respect to shared histories and achievements. A symbolic Silent Walk followed, tracing a historic path to Black Otter Trail and honoring the enduring stories of the history of Billings and the Indigenous people and immigrants who contributed the city.
Celebrating Culture and Community
In the afternoon, the event moved to the Bighorn Resort Conference Center, where a vendor show featured Indigenous artisans, cultural demonstrations, and guest speakers. A shared meal brought attendees together, reinforcing the value of community gathering and cultural traditions. Western Native Voice facilitated this space as a reminder of the importance of celebrating heritage and unity within Indigenous communities.
Evening Performances and Indigenous Artistry
The evening’s entertainment, hosted by “Krazy” Kasey Nicholson, showcased Native humor and creative expression. Headlined by comedian Tatanka Means, with additional performances by “Beef” Donovan Archambault and Tonia Jo Hall, the evening embraced Indigenous artistry. Musicians Foreshadow, Nataanii Means, Joel Wood, and Armond Duck Chief filled the room with songs of pride and storytelling, while a fashion show by Brocade highlighted contemporary Indigenous style.
Western Native Voice’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Billings not only honored Indigenous culture and traditions but also underscored the importance of community and resilience. Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates our shared history in Montana and honors the rich contributions of Indigenous peoples from all regions. This day honors the collaboration and coexistence that have shaped our state.
MONTANA — In a sweeping campaign to galvanize voter turnout across Montana’s Native communities, Western Native Voice concluded its “Snag Dat Vote” tour, a two-day voter education and engagement event that reached every Montana reservation and the city of Great Falls. At a time when Native voters face unique barriers to participation, the tour blended community gatherings, informational sessions, and entertainment to empower Native communities with the tools and knowledge to participate in the 2024 election.
Research highlights the effectiveness of grassroots organizing, particularly when it is community-centered. Studies on relational organizing, a strategy that leverages interpersonal relationships, show it can increase voter turnout by up to 11% among communities that often face additional voting barriers (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2023; Progressive Turnout Project, 2021).
Each tour stop’s second day kicked off with Western Native Voice’s field team canvassing directly in the community, engaging residents to encourage voter registration and answer questions about the upcoming election. Through these face-to-face interactions, the team connected with hundreds of voters and collected over 300 new registrations across all stops, underscoring the impact of direct voter education and engagement in fostering civic participation.
“Our Field Team worked tirelessly in the lead-up to the October 7th registration deadline, securing 328 new voter registrations during the tour,” said Sami Walking Bear, Outreach and Field Director. “We canvassed over 500 doors, sharing election information and offering assistance to voters needing help with ballots or transportation to the polls.”
Each evening culminated in a high-energy celebration, headlined by Native comedians and musicians whose performances underscored the importance of the Native vote in shaping Montana’s future. The shows fostered a vibrant, inclusive environment that reinforced the significance of civic participation, reminding attendees of their role in creating positive change.
Western Native Voice’s approach aligns with these findings, highlighting the value of connecting people not only to voting resources but also to each other.
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!
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, October 29
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Montana Tech Library Auditorium, Butte
Perks: Free popcorn and pop!
RSVP for your free ticket here: https://tinyurl.com/2pccy6u6
Limited Tickets. Reserve Yours Today!
Don’t miss this inspiring documentary about buffalo restoration in Montana. See you there!
FREE Movie Screening in Wolf Point: Bring Them Home
Join us for a special screening of Bring Them Home/Aiskótáhkapiyaaya at Prairie Cinema Theaters in Wolf Point on Saturday, October 26 at 1 PM!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, October 26
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Prairie Cinema Theaters, Wolf Point
Perks: Free popcorn and pop!
RSVP for your free ticket here: https://tinyurl.com/4efnnn7j
TICKETS ARE LIMITED. DON’T MISS OUT!
Don’t miss this inspiring documentary about buffalo restoration in Montana. See you there!
FREE Movie Screening in Great Falls: Bring Them Home
Join us for a special screening of Bring Them Home/Aiskótáhkapiyaaya at the Black Eagle Community Center on Tuesday, October 22 from 7-9 PM!
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, October 22
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Black Eagle Community Center, Great Falls
Perks: Free popcorn and pop!
RSVP free here: https://tinyurl.com/54x9vbey
Space is limited. Reserve your spot today!
Don’t miss this inspiring documentary about buffalo restoration in Montana. See you there!