Listen First Montana

For this 9th installment of our mini-series focused on Leadership Montana’s newest program, the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, we’re featuring a conversation recorded in January of 2023 in Arlee, MT, on Flathead Nation between Shelly Fyant, Velda Shelby, and Mary Stranahan. These three local leaders and graduates of Leadership Montana discuss exciting work happening to strengthen the community of Arlee and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, including Shelly’s work in food sovereignty and Salish language development occurring at a local school. Mary describes the strong leadership of CSKT, and Velda Shelby provides a fascinating history of stick game in the area. The group also discusses the deep challenges of racism and intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous Peoples, and much more.

This mini-series episode was recorded on the Flathead Nation and is made up of 3 parts. For part 1, Major Robinson interviews Dr. Joe McDonald, founder and former president of Salish and Kootenai College. For part 2, Major interviews Cinda Ironmaker, Public Health Specialist for the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, and participant in the III program. And finally, we turn the mic on Major to ask him a few questions about examples of indigenous culture reflected in architecture and what he is learning in this Leadership Montana program.

This mini-series episode was recorded on the Flathead Nation and is made up of 3 parts. For part 1, Major Robinson interviews Dr. Joe McDonald, founder and former president of Salish and Kootenai College. For part 2, Major interviews Cinda Ironmaker, Public Health Specialist for the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, and participant in the III program. And finally, we turn the mic on Major to ask him a few questions about examples of indigenous culture reflected in architecture and what he is learning in this Leadership Montana program.

For this 7th installment of our mini-series focused on Leadership Montana’s newest program, the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, we’re featuring a conversation recorded in January of 2023 on Flathead Nation between Nancy Schlepp of Ringling, MT, and Chantel Schieffer. Nancy shares her favorite lessons from the program so far, including the ideas that are deepening her feeling of connection to the land, both on her family’s ranch and across Montana. Chantel and Nancy also discuss what gives them hope for the future, Nancy’s core value of spirituality, and why they value their friendship despite their political differences.

For this 6th installment of our mini-series focused on Leadership Montana’s newest program, the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, we’re featuring a conversation recorded in September 2022 on the Northern Cheyenne Nation between Samuel Enemy Hunter and Juanita Vero. Samuel talks about the history and culture of the Crow Tribe, Juanita asks Samuel about relationships between tribes in Montana, and Samuel asks Juanita about her views on tribal relations as a Missoula County Commissioner.

For this 5th installment of our mini-series focused on Leadership Montana’s newest program, the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, we’re featuring a conversation recorded in September 2022 on the Northern Cheyenne Nation between Sheri Jarvis of Virginia City, and Tony Brockman of Kalispell.  Sheri and Tony discuss Tony’s recent application for membership in the Crow Tribe, Sheri’s observations of the landscape as a professional artist, what they are learning in this program, and much more.  If you would like to learn more about Tony Brockman, check out his full episode of Listen First Montana (Episode #19) wherever you get your podcasts.

For this 4th installment of our mini-series focused on Leadership Montana’s newest program, the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, we’re joined by Jim Swan of Rocky Boy, and Adrienne Hines of Helena. Jim and Adrienne discuss why they chose to join the program, what has surprised them from the program so far, and how Adrienne plans to take what she is learning back to her local community and workplace. As a member of Leadership Montana’s Indigenous Advisory Committee charged with overseeing the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, Jim shares his early concerns about non-native perceptions of Indian Country, and how that has changed throughout the program.

For episode 3 of our Mini-Series, we’re featuring a car ride conversation between two participants in Leadership Montana’s Indigenous Immersion Initiative, Emily Yost of Livingston and Chris Warden of Missoula. Emily and Chris talk about why they want to learn more about Indigenous communities and culture in Montana, what they learned during their visit to Northern Cheyenne Nation, and how they are grappling with the guilt and pain they feel as they deepen their understanding of Indigenous history. Emily and Chris also describe their experience participating in a sweat lodge in Lame Deer, Montana, and how cared for they felt throughout that new experience.

For Episode 2 of our mini-series about Leadership Montana’s newest program, the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, we’re featuring a conversation between Leadership Montana President and CEO, Chantel Schieffer, and Chair of Leadership Montana’s Indigenous Advisory Council, Major Robinson.  Major describes the feeling of returning to his home, the Northern Cheyenne Nation, with this group of Leadership Montana alumni, and what he hopes they will take away from their visit.  Chantel and Major also talk about the legacy of Barbara Braided Hair, their shared experience in a sweat lodge, and the significance of building trust and connection between people and communities in Montana.

Introducing a new Listen First Montana mini-series: the Indigenous Immersion Initiative. Join the first cohort of Leadership Montana's newest program as they visit Tribal Nations and communities across Montana to learn about the unique and vibrant indigenous cultures in Montana.  We'll give listeners an inside look at how program participants are learning and reflecting on the people, opportunities, and challenges of Montana's indigenous communities. In this first episode, we hear three short conversations from the Blackfeet Nation. The first conversation features Chantel Schieffer, President and CEO of Leadership Montana, and Major Robinson, Chair of Leadership Montana's Indigenous Advisory Committee. Chantel and Major discuss the original idea for the program, what Major hopes the impact of the program will be, and how they both seek to carry on the legacy of Barbara Braided Hair. We also hear from Chuck Winn about his experience visiting Browning, MT, for the first time, and we hear from Jim Bliss about why he joined the program and has been challenged by the idea of racism.