Join Expanding Horizons for Community Conversations: Process Grief with Dr. Sarah Keller
Date: Monday, September 9, 2024
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: MSUB Petro Theatre
Brought to you by Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons youth program, this event is part of our Growing Together National Suicide Prevention Week. We’re hosting an insightful session on how to process grief, led by Dr. Sarah Keller, an award-winning educator and researcher dedicated to using storytelling to promote social change and address public health concerns.
Join Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons for our Community Conversations: Restoring Balance – Healing from the Trauma of MMIW with MarLynn Cloud
Thursday, September 12, 2024
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
RMC Fortin Theater
Join us for an evening with MarLynn Cloud, a mental health advocate and artist dedicated to supporting Native communities. MarLynn, a graduate of MSUB and current Native Student Financial Aid Navigator, will share her experiences and insights on the MMIW crisis, mental health, and community healing.
This event is part of our Growing Together National Suicide Prevention Week events. Open to all!
Join Us for a Special Free Showing of All Dogs Go to Heaven!
Sponsored by Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons
Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Doors Open: 5:00 PM | Show Starts: 6:00 PM
Location: Babcock Theatre, 2810 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT 59101
Event Highlights:
Heartwarming Film: Experience the beloved classic that follows Charlie’s journey through adventure, love, and self-discovery.
Mental Health Awareness: “All Dogs Go to Heaven” touches on themes of loss, redemption, and the afterlife, offering a gentle introduction to discussions about grief and emotional well-being. The movie provides a relatable way to explore these emotions, especially for younger audiences. As part of National Suicide Prevention Week, we’ll use this event to highlight the importance of mental health, offering resources and support for those dealing with grief, emotional challenges, and suicide prevention.
Community Support: Join us in creating a space where we can come together, share, and support one another in our healing journeys. Let’s foster a stronger, more connected community in Billings.
Join Us for the Growing Together Walk for Wellness!
Kick off National Suicide Prevention Week with us on September 8, 2024, at Lockwood High School Track. This FREE event, organized by Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons program, is all about coming together as a community to promote mental health awareness.
BILLINGS, Mont. — On the evening of July 25, 2024, Western Native Voice hosted a special movie night as part of their Expanding Horizons youth program, offering a free screening of the animated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron at the historic Babcock Theatre in Billings. The event drew a diverse crowd of families, providing an opportunity for the nonprofit to connect with the community and promote its mission of fostering unity and relationship building.
The screening of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, a film that celebrates freedom, resilience, and the spirit of the West, was chosen for its thematic resonance with Native American values and heritage. Western Native Voice’s Expanding Horizons used this event to highlight their commitment to education, civic engagement, and leadership development.
Research supports the importance of engaging young people in community events and activities. Programs that foster connectedness and provide opportunities for youth to engage with pro-social adults are shown to enhance their development. Authentic youth engagement helps build self-esteem, leadership, advocacy, and professional development skills while increasing their influence and personal stake in the community (Youth.gov).
Expanding Horizons aims to empower Native American youth to lead with purpose and identity. The program is student-driven and steered by Western Native Voice, bringing together middle school and high school students to champion the preservation of tribal identity and culture and foster relationships between tribal and urban Native Americans. The movie night served as an engaging platform to reach out to families and young people, reinforcing the message that every voice matters. Through family-oriented events like these, Expanding Horizons informs and empowers Native youth about the importance of civic participation.
The event also emphasized the organization’s civic engagement efforts, which focus on ensuring that Native American voices are heard and represented in the political process. By bringing the community together for a free, family-friendly event, Western Native Voice demonstrated their dedication to fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Leadership development is another cornerstone of Western Native Voice’s mission. The Expanding Horizons program, under which the movie night was organized, aims to cultivate the next generation of Native leaders. Events like these provide an opportunity for families to come together, for young people to learn, grow, and be inspired to take on leadership roles within their communities.
The family-centric nature of the movie night created an inviting atmosphere where community members could connect, share experiences, and build stronger relationships. Western Native Voice continues to prioritize events that bring families together, reinforcing the importance of community, unity, and collective growth.
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
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6:00 pm
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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!
Thursday, September 12, 2024
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
RMC Fortin Theater
