July 18, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
FREE BINGO AT BLACK EAGLE COMMUNITY CENTER IN GREAT FALLS!
PRIZES | DRAWINGS| MEAL
Date: THURSDAY, July 18, 2024
Time: 6 pm – 8 pm
Doors open at 5 pm
Location: Black Eagle Community Center, Great Falls
Free
BILLINGS, Mont.—Held at Rocky Mountain College, Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons Youth Summer Academy provided 40 Native students from across Montana with a unique two-week college experience, with an emphasis on the organization’s key programs: civic engagement, civic education, advocacy, and leadership development.
According to the program director, integrating these essential elements into the academy prepares students for active and informed participation in their communities. The holistic educational approach is a core part of Western Native Voice’s mission to empower Native youth.
Civic Engagement: The academy’s class sessions focused on enhancing students’ understanding of their roles within their communities, highlighting the importance of participation in various civic activities.
Civic Education: The classes touched on governance and civic responsibility aspects, fostering a basic understanding of how these systems can impact their lives and communities.
Advocacy: The program included discussions on community issues, emphasizing the importance of advocating for their rights and interests.
Leadership Development: The program focused on developing personal leadership and self-confidence, which are essential for future success in any field.
A trip to Yellowstone National Park connected students with environmental science and Native stewardship of the land, reinforcing lessons in leadership and civic responsibility. This excursion exemplified how educational themes are integrated with cultural identity.
Seeing these young leaders engage with each element of the program was a clear indication that they were not just preparing for college but also for meaningful roles in their communities. The initiative continues to be a cornerstone of Western Native Voice, providing foundational experiences that nurture the academic, civic, and cultural aspirations of Montana’s Native youth, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to succeed in college and contribute effectively to their communities, ensuring a promising future for these students.
July 25, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join Us for a Special Free Showing of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron!
Hosted by Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons
Calling all youth and families! Celebrate an adventure, courage, and community evening with a free showing of the beloved animated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.
Date: Thursday, July 25
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Babcock Theatre, 2810 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT 59101
Event Highlights:
- Inspiring Film: Follow the thrilling journey of Spirit, a wild Mustang, as he discovers friendship, bravery, and the fight for freedom.
- Community Engagement: Learn about Expanding Horizons and our mission to empower and unite Native and non-Native youth.
- Giving Back: Participate in doing something nice for the community of Billings. Natives and non-Natives are welcome.
Concessions: Enjoy popcorn and drinks for just $1 each!
Why Attend?
- Enjoy a heartwarming and action-packed movie perfect for all ages.
- Meet new friends and connect with like-minded individuals.
- Contribute to a positive cause and help uplift our community.
Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable evening!
Light refreshments will be provided. I just wanted to let you know that seats are limited, so please arrive early to get the best spot.
We look forward to seeing you there and joining hands to support our vibrant community!
For more information on Western Native Voice’s youth program, Expanding Horizons, visit https://westernnativevoice.org/programs/expanding-horizons/.
BILLINGS, Mont.—In a powerful demonstration of cultural celebration and community empowerment, Western Native Voice (WNV), a Native-led organization, took a significant step in promoting civic engagement by hosting a special screening of the iconic film ‘Smoke Signals’ at a local theater. This event not only highlighted the profound narrative of Native life but also sparked a surge in community involvement and membership in the organization, underscoring WNV’s unique role in promoting civic engagement.
The screening of ‘Smoke Signals,’ a film celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Native American experiences, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd of over 300 people who were eager to engage with the film’s themes of identity, healing, and resilience. The event was more than just a movie screening; it was a strategic effort by Western Native Voice that significantly increased community involvement and sparked meaningful discussions about the importance of active participation in civic life and the organization itself.
WNV took the opportunity to promote local Native American vendors, showcasing their crafts and products to support the local economy and celebrate Native culture. This initiative not only provided a platform for Native entrepreneurs but also reinforced the importance of community solidarity and mutual support.
Research underscores the value of community engagement activities in boosting civic participation and voter registration. Comprehensive community outreach, including organizing community events, is recognized for effectively mobilizing voters and enhancing democratic engagement. These activities are crucial in increasing voter turnout and participation, particularly among marginalized groups (Ecanvasser).
At the event, Western Native Voice emphasized the significance of voting and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts. The organization’s on-the-ground organizers played a crucial role in registering voters, providing information about voting procedures, and highlighting the impact of voting on local and national issues. This grassroots approach ensures that Native voices are heard and represented in the political process.
Western Native Voice underscored the significance of membership, which is open to all, including allies of Native communities. The organization highlighted how membership not only bolsters advocacy efforts but also fortifies the collective voice of Native Americans in Montana, emphasizing the importance of joining and supporting the organization’s advocacy efforts.
Membership in Western Native Voice plays a vital role in amplifying the political influence and social cohesion of Native communities. As members, individuals can participate in leadership training, voter education workshops, and advocacy efforts that are crucial for addressing the unique challenges Native Americans face. Through these activities, members help shape policies directly affecting their communities, from health care and education to land rights and cultural preservation.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and the enthusiastic discussions that followed the screening,” said a spokesperson for Western Native Voice. “Each new member brings us closer to our goal of empowering Native voices and ensuring their representation at all levels of decision-making. By joining, our members not only lend their voice to our cause but also gain access to resources and networks that can lead to substantial changes.”
The event successfully attracted new members, with around 100 attendees signing up to join Western Native Voice. The organization’s focus on inclusive, community-oriented activities like this screening is pivotal in its mission to engage and mobilize Native American communities across Montana.
As Western Native Voice continues to host events and drive initiatives aimed at enhancing civic engagement, the impact of their efforts is evident not only in the significant increase in membership but also in the greater involvement of Native communities in the political process, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
BILLINGS, Mont.—On June 2, 2024, Western Native Voice orchestrated a historic first in downtown Billings—a parade celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Native American U.S. citizenship. This event served not only as a commemoration of this pivotal milestone but also underscored our ongoing commitment to overcoming the barriers that Native Americans face in exercising their voting rights.
Central to the event was our voter registration drive, where we engaged directly with the community to facilitate their registration process. This initiative is at the heart of our mission at Western Native Voice: to ensure every Native voice is heard in the electoral process.
Despite gaining the right to vote in 1924, the path to full electoral participation for Native Americans has been fraught with challenges. With recent statistics indicating a significant rise in Native voter turnout, the impact on electoral outcomes is more pronounced than ever, highlighting the critical nature of voter empowerment.
This parade, which drew over 300 community members, was a vibrant expression of cultural pride and an active push towards civic engagement. It featured cultural dancing, drum groups, and the attendance of notable figures like Denise Juneau and Senator Jon Tester, emphasizing a community united in celebration and purpose.
The parade winners each told a story of heritage and civic responsibility:
- Mighty Few District – Emphasizing the sacredness of family and future generations.
- Louise Smith, aged 100, celebrated as Montana’s oldest Native voter, embodied the message, “Register to Vote and Vote because it is the right thing to do.”
- Harry Rock Above, a veteran and honor guard member, representing resilience and honor.
- Direct Descendants of Chief Pretty Eagle, carrying forward the legacy of their ancestors.
- 2024 Crow Fair Rodeo Royalty & Committee, connecting cultural festivities with community engagement.
This event wasn’t just about looking back on a century of citizenship rights; it was a powerful forward thrust into the next century of active, informed, and empowered Native American voters. Western Native Voice remains dedicated to this cause, continuously working to dismantle barriers and inspire participation in the democratic process, ensuring that every Native American can effectively shape their destiny through their vote.