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!
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!
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.
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!
Save the Date for Indigenous Peoples Day in Great Falls – October 12!
Join us for an evening celebration on Indigenous Peoples Day.
Date: October 12, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Black Eagle Community Center, Great Falls
This is an 18 and older show.
6:00 PM – Hosted by “Krazy” Kasey Nicholson, featuring headline comedian Tatanka Means, along with:
“Beef” Donovan Archambault
Tonia Jo Hall
Musical performances by:
Foreshadow
Nataanii Means
Joel Wood
There will also be a ballot box drop available for your convenience.
Don’t miss this incredible celebration of Indigenous culture!
Sponsored by: Western Native Voice