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westernnativevoice.bsky.social
@westernnativevoice.bsky.social
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westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Whether she’s helping folks get registered to vote or showing up in support of Native-led movements, Jana Peterson reminds us that real change happens when we come together.

Read her story: westernnativevoice.org/western-nati...

#news #mtnews
Western Native Voice Member of the Year: Jana Peterson Builds Community Through Action, Advocacy, and Joy - Western Native Voice
Western Native Voice is proud to name Jana Peterson as our 2025 Member of the Year, celebrating her commitment to civic engagement, inclusive...read more
westernnativevoice.org
July 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
IN THE NEWS: Under the new law, the federal government is going to require states to put in work requirements for people on Medicaid expansion by the end of 2026.

#news #OneBigBeautifulBill #mtnews

www.ktvq.com/news/montana...
Montana leaders prepare for federal Medicaid changes
When President Donald Trump signed HR 1 – also known as the “One Big Bill” – into law last week, it formalized some big changes ahead for Medicaid programs, including in Montana.
www.ktvq.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
"In the news: In the sandstone cliffs of Bear Gulch more than 3,000 pictographs line the rock walls.
Now, for the first time, a visitor center solidifies the site’s Blackfeet history as a central part of the experience"

billingsgazette.com/news/local/i...
Visitor center opens at Bear Gulch pictographs, centering Blackfeet history
“This can be an example of how people can collaborate. Have cowboys and Indians working together for once.”
billingsgazette.com
July 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
For our latest Community Spotlight, Western Native Voice sat down with Charlene Sleeper—a dedicated advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

Read her story: westernnativevoice.org/charlene-sle...

#MMIP #WesternNativeVoice #CommunitySpotlight #MMIW #NativeAdvocacy #MontanaVoices
Charlene Sleeper | MMIP Advocacy in Montana
Charlene Sleeper leads MMIP advocacy in Montana, focusing on justice, healing, and intertribal solutions rooted in Indigenous community care.
westernnativevoice.org
July 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
What’s in the 2025 Reconciliation Bill—and why should Native communities pay attention?
This short video breaks down how the bill could impact critical services.
#westernnativevoice #RealChange #realimpact #moversandshakers #NativesLeadingNations #nativeamerican
June 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has vetoed a bill to protect public access to records associated with executive branch deliberations and communications.

montanafreepress.org/2025/05/19/g...

#news #mtnews
Gianforte vetoes bill seeking to add transparency to gubernatorial decision-making
The governor’s veto letter makes arguments similar to those drafted by his lawyers in a lawsuit over access to review deliberations between Gianforte and the agencies he leads.
montanafreepress.org
May 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described the widespread distribution of ultra-processed foods in Native American communities as a form of genocide.

nativenewsonline.net/health/rfk-j...

#news
RFK Jr. Calls Ultra-Processed Foods a “Genocide” Against Native Americans in Congressional Testimony
During a May 14 hearing before the House Appropriations Committee, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described the widespread distribution of ultra-processed foods in Native Am...
nativenewsonline.net
May 16, 2025 at 5:57 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Uncertain times = time to act.
✅ Are you registered to vote?

Check here: westernnativevoice.org/resources/vo...

#westernnativevoice #NativesLeadingNations #nativeamerican #grassroots #RealChange #realimpact #moversandshakers
Voter Registration - Western Native Voice
Online Voter Registration Portal Is OPEN! The Online Voter Registration Portal is now open, making it easier than ever to get registered...read more
westernnativevoice.org
May 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
A massive infrastructure failure in 2024 cut off the water source for more than 18,000 Hi-Line residents.

montanafreepress.org/2025/05/15/w...

#news #mtnews
Water expected to return to the Milk River 12 months after pipeline failure
Water expected return to Montana’s Milk River 12 months after infrastructure failure.
montanafreepress.org
May 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Western Native Voice is still out here making real change across Montana! Read to find out what you can do to get involved!

westernnativevoice.org/western-nati...

#news #mtnews #NativesLeadingNations #moversandshakers #westernnativevoice #Grassroots #RealChange #realimpact
Western Native Voice Trainings Aim to Equip Native Communities With Tools for Leadership and Local Change - Western Native Voice
BILLINGS, Mont. — As Native communities across Montana continue to navigate complex political, educational, and economic challenges, Western Native Voice...read more
westernnativevoice.org
May 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
This week, Senators Schatz and Murkowski wrote to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to sound the alarm over his dismantling of HHS, as well as urgent staffing shortages at the Indian Health Service.

nativenewsonline.net/health/senat...

#news #NewsUpdate
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to Host an Oversight Hearing on the Impact of Health & Human Services Cuts to Native Communities
On Wednesday, May 14, at 3:30 p.m. ET, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski , Chair of the Committee and Brian Schatz , Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and , will convene an oversight...
nativenewsonline.net
May 13, 2025 at 8:52 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
In some communities, requests to bolster funding for school security and help hold the line on general fund budgets hit hard by inflation, fluctuating enrollment and the expiration of pandemic-era federal aid fell flat.
montanafreepress.org/2025/05/07/v...
#news #mtnews
Voters deliver mixed outcomes to levy requests from some of the state’s largest school districts
Increases to general operating funds approved for public schools in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena and Kalispell.
montanafreepress.org
May 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Starting with the now-signed STARS Act, lawmakers this session took several big swings at addressing acute financial challenges in K-12 education.

montanafreepress.org/2025/05/12/m...

#news #mtnews #mtleg2025
Montana Legislature enacts changes to state and local flows of public school funding
Starting with the now-signed STARS Act, lawmakers this session took several big swings at addressing acute financial challenges in K-12 education.
montanafreepress.org
May 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
The 2025 legislative session is over but Western Native Voice is still celebrating the big wins for Indian Country we made this year! Real change is possible!
westernnativevoice.org/western-nati...
#news #mtnews #Grassroots #RealChange #realimpact
Western Native Voice Helps Drive Key Native Policy Wins as 2025 Montana Legislature Closes - Western Native Voice
Child welfare, language preservation, Indigenous Peoples Day among major bills passed with support from Native advocates and lawmakers. HELENA, Mont....read more
westernnativevoice.org
May 13, 2025 at 6:21 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
The laws enact measures to improve financial accountability and elevate the role of tribal governments in Indian Education For All.

montanafreepress.org/2025/05/12/m...

#mtnews #news #mtleg2025 #NativesLeadingNations
New laws aim to strengthen Indigenous education and language revitalization efforts
Sponsor Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy says the legislation is “about accountability and transparency.”
montanafreepress.org
May 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
On the heels of a busy Montana legislative session, the advocacy group Western Native Voice is setting its sights higher and opening a Washington, D.C., office next week.

www.publicnewsservice.org/2025-05-05/n...

#news
Montana-based Native advocacy group opens D.C. office
On the heels of a busy Montana legislative session, the advocacy group Western Native Voice is setting its sights higher and opening a Washington, D.C., office next week. The nonprofit formed in 2022...
www.publicnewsservice.org
May 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
May 5 is a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. As groups lead marches, panels, protests and other events nationwide, a Blackfeet father demands justice in his daughter’s case.

montanafreepress.org/2025/05/05/o...

#news #mtnews #MMIW #MMIP
On MMIP day of awareness, Blackfeet father demands justice
Jadie Butterfly is one of thousands of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered each year, a crisis so prevalent it has its own acronym, MMIP.
montanafreepress.org
May 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
“A new beginning, and with this tree being planted, that’s what I hope to see – growth,” Tristen Belgarde of Western Native Voice said Thursday.

www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...

#NativesLeadingNations #westernnativevoice #moversandshakers
Billings Parks and Rec holds annual Arbor Day ceremony
Parks and Recreation hosted its annual Arbor Day ceremony at South Park in Billings. Members of the community gathered to plant a new oak tree.
www.ktvq.com
May 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
The Billings Public Library will host an important community event aimed at educating attendees on suicide prevention. The event, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is scheduled for Monday, April 28, from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.

www.kulr8.com/news/free-ta...

#news #mtnews
Free 'Talk Saves Lives' suicide prevention training at Billings Public Library April 28
BILLINGS, Mont. – The Billings Public Library will host an important community event aimed at educating attendees on suicide prevention. The event, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Pre...
www.kulr8.com
April 28, 2025 at 10:49 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
The high-profile STARS Act cleared its final vote in the Senate, sending a top bipartisan education priority to Gianforte’s desk.

#news #mtnews #BreakingNews

montanafreepress.org/2025/04/22/m...
Montana Legislature passes $100 million bill to raise starting teacher pay
The high-profile STARS Act cleared its final vote in the Senate, sending a top bipartisan education priority to the governor’s desk.
montanafreepress.org
April 28, 2025 at 10:44 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
The administration designated 10 projects throughout the country as critical, including the copper and silver mine owned by Hecla Mining Co.

montanafreepress.org/2025/04/21/t...

#news #breakingnews
Trump signs executive order to expedite permitting of Lincoln County mine
The administration designated 10 projects throughout the country as critical, including the copper and silver mine owned by Helcla Mining Co.
montanafreepress.org
April 28, 2025 at 10:33 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Funding challenges have crippled the Medicine Bear Lodge homeless shelter on the Blackfeet Reservation. Looming federal cuts could threaten its existence.

montanafreepress.org/2025/04/21/w...

#news #BreakingNews #mtnews
Funding issues compounded by possible federal cuts threaten future of Blackfeet homeless shelter
The Medicine Bear Lodge homeless shelter on the Blackfeet Reservation is surviving on a shoestring budget. Looming federal cuts could threaten its existence.
montanafreepress.org
April 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Historically marginalized in policymaking, Native voices are now gaining equitable representation at the state level, driving impactful change.
Check out this essay by Western Native Voice's own Ronnie Jo Horse featured in @msmagazine.com!
msmagazine.com/.../state-po...
#news #mtleg2025
In Montana, Native Women Are Reshaping Politics and Reclaiming Civic Space
Amid political uncertainty, Native American women in Montana are leading social justice movements and shaping public policy. Historically marginalized in policymaking, Native voices are now gaining eq...
msmagazine.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Billings Clinic plans to add nine more forensic nurses thanks to the training. Additionally, the grant will fund three more training sites across the state in St. Ignatius, Glasgow, and Lewistown.

www.kulr8.com/news/1-5m-gr...

#news #mtnews
www.kulr8.com
April 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
westernnativevoice.bsky.social
Lawmakers are now considering one bill that would eventually put more than $1 billion into a new state trust – intended to tackle everything from property tax relief to infrastructure to child care.

www.ktvq.com/news/montana...

#news #mtnews #mtleg2025
Montana legislator proposes creating new state trust to fund future programs
As the Legislature puts together the final budget plan, lawmakers are considering one bill that would eventually put more than $1 billion into a trust.
www.ktvq.com
April 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM