Stories for Action

This is a follow-up episode to our 2024 episode on Housing in Montana. In that episode, we covered various facets of the housing crisis, to show the complexities that exist and paths of action forward.  In the episode, we looked at the process that Whitefish was taking to update their growth policy, with the housing crisis and growing pains being especially heightened there, as it has fully become a resort town, pushing working class locals out.

Whitefish has been going through a thorough public input process over the past year, to inform the growth policy. Recently, a small special interest group proposed their own version of the Economic Development chapter of the growth policy, with several edits and censorships from the original. On May 21st, two weeks ago, the Whitefish Community Development Board voted to adopt this new draft, which many believe undermines the public's feedback and discredits the lengthy public input process.

In this episode, we hear more about these happenings, and the larger story that it tells about wealth pushing local people out of their communities, transparent local planning, and having honest conversations about the impacts of high end tourism.

This episode is largely to inform Whitefish residents of the changes, to contribute to their own research and engagement. And the episode can speak to communities everywhere, as similar degrees of pressures are being felt nation-wide. 

We also hear from Nathan Dugan, Co-Founder of ShelterWF, about these recent events. ShelterWF is a grassroots organization in Whitefish, MT, advocating for policies & engagement that ensures communities and housing opportunities for working class folks in the Flathead Valley.

LINKS:

Vision Whitefish 2045 - Engage Whitefish-Growth Policy Update, join email newsletter, submit comments

ShelterWF, also on Instagram

Northwest Montana Tenants Union, also on Instagram

Housing Whitefish, also on Instagram

Whitefish Community Development Board Meeting May 2025, Part 1 

Whitefish Community Development Board Meeting May 2025, Part 2  

Whitefish Pilot article on recent CDB Meeting

Whitefish Citizen Portal 

File for Flathead County City Councils (Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls), deadline June 11th 2025

Housing in Montana - Stories for Action podcast episode, 2024

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. Learn more about our film production, podcast, and story workshops for non-profit organizations: StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#whitefish #whitefishmt #whitefishmontana #flathead #columbiafalls #kalispell #flatheadvalley #flatheadcounty #housing #Montana #housingcrisis #affordablehousing #406 #sustainability #economy #economicdevelopment  #housingpressures #rental #housingcrunch #community #tourism #thinklocal

Addiction intersects with nearly all of our lives - directly or indirectly. Whether it's alcohol, pills, or other forms of drugs, addiction not only impacts the individual, but is felt through entire communities, having an immense impact on human life, economies, medical services, and more. But current mainstream pathways for addiction recovery in the U.S. are costly and can perpetuate vicious cycles of addiction.

In this episode, we look at the topic of addiction and improved pathways to recovery, by focusing on the organization Alliance for Youth and one of their programs, The Sober Life, based in Great Falls, Montana. Their approach fills a critical gap by creating community and joy around sobriety, which has lead to long-term recovery success, with measurable impacts to public health, local economies, and overall community well-being. We hear from Alliance for Youth's Development Director, Thomas Risberg, and learn about the Wellbriety Movement, which provides culturally based healing for Native and non-Native folks. We also hear from participants and group leaders in The Sober Life's Red Road to Wellbriety program; Bobby Takes Enemy and Destiny. 

This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities.

Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.

LINKS:

Alliance for Youth

The Sober Life

Substance Abuse Prevention Alliance of Cascade County

Wellbriety with Don Coyhis - full talk

White Bison, Inc.

Healing Together Conference (Colorado, June 2025) Hosted by Wellbriety Movement & other partners

Wellbriety Movement 

Montana’s Peer Network

Rocky Mountain Treatment Center - (Great Falls, MT) 

Never Alone Recovery Support Services-NARSS (Ronan, MT)

Beautiful Minds Recovery - (Butte-Silver Bow County & Missoula County)

Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Services - including substance abuse services, for adults & youth

Services for Veterans (Western Montana Mental Health Center)

Eastern Montana Veterans Home (Glendive, MT)

STEP, Inc. - sober living (Billings, MT)

Rimrock - rehab services (Billings, MT)

Many Rivers Whole Health (Kalispell, MT)

Free Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Montana

Recovery Centers of Montana

MT Dept of Health & Human Services - Substance Use Disorder Services & Resources

Addiction Recovery: A Systematized Review 

Effects of Social Support and 12 step involvement, article

Role of Recovery Support Services in Addiction Recovery, article 

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Helpline

SAMHSA Treatment Locator

Info for family members of those experiencing addiction

Western Montana Health Center, Youth Services

Neighborworks Montana - home lending & ownership resources statewide

“The Montana Legislative Session from an Indigenous Perspective” - Stories for Action podcast episode

#recovery #addiction #addictionrecovery #rehab #sober #sobriety #soberlife #greatfalls #montana #community #localleadership #peersupportservices #recoverysupportservices #alcoholic #alcohol #406 #meth #fentanyl #drugfree #alcoholfree #health #publichealth #healthyliving #prevention #youth #kratom #vaping #methinmontana 

In this episode, we hear about different community-guided and collaborative efforts taking place around river health (and therefore the well-being of the land and people), in the region of Missoula, Montana. You'll hear from those whose lives connect to these rivers; to inspire ways for folks to engage, but also to gain insight to all of the moving parts that contribute to a healthy community and watershed.

This episode is the recording of a panel and community discussion we hosted after a screening of the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River in Missoula in November 2024. The panel includes Brian Chaffin (Executive Director of Clark Fork Coalition), Jennifer Harrington (Director of UM's Native American Natural Resource Program), Sarah Christensen (area rancher, Pintler Mountain Beef), and Travis Craft (area fishing guide, Thunder Hammer Fly Fishing). 

The event was co-hosted by Jessie Thomas of Sustainable Wellness , whose philosophy is "the world needs us to show up for ourselves and each other. Your health is where we start". The event was also hosted by the International Wildlife Film Festival and The Roxy Theater. 

Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.

LINKS:

Clark Fork Coalition

UM's Native American Natural Resource Program

Thunder Hammer Fly Fishing

Pintler Mountain Beef

Tribal Consultation Policy & Practice: Jennifer Harrington's Graduate Thesis, regarding CSKT involvement with Superfund process

Frenchtown Smurfit Stone Community Advisory Group

PLWA - Public Land Water Access Association

Article: Bitterroot landowner proposes fences across Mitchell Slough

Sustainable Wellness

The Redside Foundation - providing health and support services for the outdoor guiding community

Life in the Land

The gathering that this episode was recorded at, was made possible through a grant from the Montana Forest Collaboration Network and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council. We thank them for their support of the Life in the Land project.

#rivers #Montana #collaborativeconservation #superfund #agriculture #familyranching #ranching #watershed #clarkfork #bitterrootriver #blackfootriver #bitterrootvalley #community #rural #water #cleanwater #publicland #river #fishing #flyfishing #montanafishing #Montanarivers #getoutside #collaborate #stewardship #conservation

In the Summer of 2024, I was fortunate to visit the country of Timor-Leste, in Southeast Asia. This trip was through a professional exchange program hosted by The Mansfield Center and the Department of State. I worked with a local filmmaker in Timor-Leste, Salvador de Jesus, to host workshops for youth about filmmaking & elevating story for advocacy purposes.

This episode shares about this time…including perspectives shared by Timorese people and my own perspectives gained from this mere glimpse into a place…glimpses of cultural revival and cultural evolution, human/environment relationships, stories of resistance to oppression and fights for freedom, absorbing the contagious excitement of a younger generation, and learning through observation & interaction.

Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.

LINKS:

The Mansfield Center

YSEALI Fellowship and other Mansfield exchange programs

Metresi Productions (Timorese filmmaker Salvador de Jesus): Website  IG: @metresi_production  FB: Filme Deit House Production 

Commission for Reception, Truth, & Reconciliation CAVR, Timor-Leste

History overview of Timor-Leste

Centro Audiovisual Max Stahl Timor-Leste

Fundaceo Oriente, Timor-Leste

Rotaract Club of Dili,Timor-Leste

Laudato Si'Movement Timor-Leste

#Timorleste #timor-leste #timor #easttimor #travel #southeastasia #yseali #mansfield #exchangeyourworld #usdepartmentofstate #filmindustry #womeninfilm #tourism #asia #indonesia #travelabroad #culture #statedept  #travelpodcast

In Montana, 1 out of 9 people (and 1 in 6 children) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to lead a healthy life, or don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. This lack of access can be financial or physical, for those who are in rural areas far from delivery routes. We know that food is essential for life and therefore essential for our communities to thrive. So how do we improve this access…for those who are in a tight financial position, or to support our local farmers & ranchers in order to build momentum for a more localized food system, and therefore more secure supply chains?

In this episode, we look at the full system of food security in Montana; from producer to consumer, hearing about the reality of the situation, pathways to improvement & engagement, and we hear about locally-guided entities across the state doing incredible work to improve food security in their community. Interviews feature the Child Nutrition Manager & Policy Director from the Montana Food Bank Network, and the Specialist for the Eastern Montana Food & Ag Development Center.

This episode is made possible through support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities.

LINKS:

Featured:

Montana Food Bank Network - find your local food bank on their map

MT Food Bank Network Backpack Program

MT Food Bank Network School Pantry Program

Great Northern Development Corporation

Eastern Montana Food and Ag Development Center

Headwaters Foundation (episode sponsors and supporters of food security efforts in Western Montana)

Some Food Pantries & Access Resources:

Helping Hands - Hardin, MT

Missoula Food Bank

Mobile Market, for Missoula area Seniors, Garden City Harvest

Billings Food Bank

Flathead Food Bank - Kalispell, MT

Livingston Food Resource Center

Hunters Against Hunger, MFBN Program 

Montana Veterans Meat Locker

The Producer Partnership

Custer County Food Bank - Miles City, MT

Havre Food Bank

SW Montana Veterans Food Pantry 

SNAP in Montana

WIC in MT - Women, Infants, & Children - food support

Summer EBT, Sun Bucks, Information

Families: text “FOOD” to 304-304 to see nearby summer meal locations or visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals 

Native-led Food Sovereignty Programs:

FAST Blackfeet

People’s Food Sovereignty Program - CSKT

People's Food Sovereignty Program - Stories for Action podcast episode

Joe & Kathy Kipp of Blackfeet Nation - Stories for Action podcast episode

Rocky Boy Sustainability & Food Sovereignty Program

Woicago Tipi Cooperative Farm - Fort Peck

Yellow Bird Life Ways Center - Northern Cheyenne

Day Eagle Hope Project - Fort Belknap

All Nations Health Center - Missoula 

Resources for Food Producers: 

MT Food & Ag Development Centers

Montana Cooperative Development Center

MT Department of Agriculture

Grow Through Agriculture grant

Business Enhancement Program (food/ag)

Business Acceleration & Marketing grant (food/ag)

Value Added Producer grant

Food Hubs & Localizing MT Food Systems:

Abundant Montana - connect producers and customers to local food sources

Hopa Mountain

Farm Connect MT (Formerly CFAC)

Trust Montana - community land trusts

Western Montana Growers Co-op

Montana Food Hub - Great Falls & North Central MT

Rolling Plains Co-op - Northeast Montana

Yellowstone Valley Food Hub

Old Salt Co-op

Montana Cooperative Development Center

The Farm Bill

USDA funding for localized food: announced Fall 2024

Find your Montana Legislators 

Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.

#storiesforaction #food #local #localfood #foodsecurity #foodinsecurity #montana #406 #montanafarm #montanaranch #snap #foodbank #montanafoodbank #hungry #foodaccess #community #communitydevelopment #rural #farmersmarket #housing

In the past 5 years, Montana's average home price has gone up 71%, while the average income has only increased 25%. The lack of housing, and that which is attainable for working class residents, is creating a crisis for residents, employers, local economies, public health, community well-being...everything. In this episode, we hear from seven people all working in different areas of this topic around Montana, and we aim to provide information and perspectives that encourage us to have more nuanced and proactive outlooks and responses to this topic. We also shine a light on creative actions taking place around the state, and share resources for folks feeling the pressures directly.

Of course the pressures of increased housing costs is something being felt around the country, and around the globe...so no matter where you call home, there is a wealth of information shared in this episode that can be applied to other regions. This episode is longer than most of ours, so of course feel free to listen in segments as you wish.

This episode was generously supported by Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. They say, "We believe that housing is part of the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future." Learn more at www.headwatersmt.org.

Thank you to Shauni Seccombe for research and editing support on this episode.

LINKS:

Shelter WF

Governor's Housing Task Force

Trust Montana

Stories for Action podcast featuring Trust Montana

North Missoula Community Development Corporation

HomeFront Billings

Bespoke of Montana

Habitat for Humanity chapters serving Montana

Beyond Building - regenerative design & education in Montana

Engage Whitefish

Montana Association of Counties, about growth policies 

State Grants for communities to adopt/update a Growth Policy

Montana Growth Policy Resource Book

NeighborWorks Montana

NeighborWorks Great Falls

Native Homeownership Coalition

Montana Native Growth Fund - financing

Great Northern Development Corporation

Action for Eastern Montana

MEIC - Montana Environmental Information Center

HRDC - Human Resource Development Center

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program

Montana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) Program

The Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs - rental assistance for low-income earners

MT Department of Commerce Housing Program

Resources for rental assistance & homeowner assistance from State

USDA Montana Board of Housing Loans

USDA Rural Development Report: Programs for Housing

Available Housing in Montana - Database for rental & homeownership

Strong Towns 

Confessions of a Recovering Engineer & related books

The Affordable City - book by Shane Phillips

Life in the Land - films & podcasts from Stories for Action, sharing stories from rural regions of Montana

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#housing #Montana #housingcrisis #affordablehousing #406 #sustainability #homeless #unhoused #economy #mortgage #housingpressures #rental #housingcrunch #community 

This is Part 2 of 2 of our episodes on the Mighty Few. We HIGHLY encourage you to first listen to Part 1, as it provides essential context. Part 2 expands on youth empowerment, connections to traditional cultures, and the approaches necessary to move this community development work forward in a good way.

Historically, and still today, the Mighty Few (a District of the Apsáalooke or Crow Nation in Southeast Montana) have proven their name through resourcefulness, determination, and strength in unity. Witness the process of this community strengthening their connection to identity, the land, and community togetherness. Through truly grassroots efforts, the Mighty Few are guiding action that creates necessary healing, economic opportunities, and self-determination to thrive into the future. We hope this episode can be used to support the work featured, as well as provide insight for other communities looking to create greater opportunities from within. 

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Mighty Few. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

Wyola Development Fund

Mighty Few Development Authority

Wyola Mighty Few Youth Group - FB Page

Intro to Crow Culture & History, via Little Big Horn College

Indigenous Collaboration, consulting service

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

This episode was produced by Lara Tomov & Stories for Action, Producer Lesley Kabotie, Narration & Contributing Writing by JoRee LaFrance, Contributing Writing by Marina Weatherly, Associate Producer Robyn Iron, Production Support in the field from Rachal Male Bear Stone. Gratitude to those who helped to make this production possible, and to the people and landscape of the Mighty Few and Crow Nation.

#CrowNation #mightyfew #crowtribe #Apsaalooke #wyola #CrowReservation #communitydevelopment #community #Montana #406 #public health #rural #ruraldevelopment #ruralcommunities #native #indigenous #indigenousleadership #nativeleadership #culture #nativelanguage #localleadership #local #thinklocal #indianrelay

Iikooshtaka’atbaatchaache, home of the Mighty Few. Historically, and still today, the Mighty Few (a District of the Apsáalooke or Crow Nation in Southeast Montana) have proven their name through resourcefulness, determination, and strength in unity. Witness the process of this community strengthening their connection to identity, the land, and community togetherness. Through truly grassroots efforts, the Mighty Few are guiding action that creates necessary healing, economic opportunities, and self-determination to thrive into the future. We hope this episode can be used to support the work featured, as well as provide insight for other communities looking to create greater opportunities from within. 

This is Part 1 of 2 of our episodes on the Mighty Few. Part 1 provides historical and cultural context of the people and place here, describes the specific community development projects, and discusses the value in creating a foundation of community connection and well-being. It also features an interview with Jamie Kirby, Program Director of the Montana Urban & Community Forestry Program.  

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Mighty Few. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

Wyola Development Fund

Mighty Few Development Authority

Wyola Mighty Few Youth Group - FB Page

DNRC's Urban & Community Forestry Program

Intro to Crow Culture & History, via Little Big Horn College

Indigenous Collaboration, consulting service

Western Native Voice

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

This episode was produced by Lara Tomov & Stories for Action, Producer Lesley Kabotie, Narration & Contributing Writing by JoRee LaFrance, Contributing Writing by Marina Weatherly, Associate Producer Robyn Iron, Production Support in the field from Rachal Male Bear Stone. Gratitude to those who helped to make this production possible, and to the people and landscape of the Mighty Few and Crow Nation.

#CrowNation #mightyfew #crowtribe #Apsaalooke #CrowReservation #communitydevelopment #community #Montana #rural #ruraldevelopment #ruralcommunities #native #indigenous #indigenousleadership #nativeleadership #localleadership #local #thinklocal #indianrelay

Along this stretch of the Upper Yellowstone River in Montana, various dynamics exist. Hear from a rancher, a river restoration professional, an outdoor recreation business owner, and a Traditional Ecological Knowledge educator who are all deeply connected to this river. Whether the challenge is drought, flood, impact from river recreation, development, or otherwise, witness how approaches that are guided by local communities and by the river itself can create greater resiliency for the people and place here.

This is Part 2 of 2 of our episodes on the Upper Yellowstone River, focusing on the impact from increased river recreation, a community-guided response to this pressure, and the impacts of land use changes, rural community disconnects, and the challenges and value in collaborative approaches.

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

The Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group

Montana Freshwater Partners

Project Indigenous

Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co.

Park County Environmental Council

Give Back to the Yellowstone Campaign

Wild Livelihoods Business Coalition

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#yellowstone #montana #rivers #upperyellowstone #paradisevalley #recreation #flyfishing #fishing #montanarivers #montanafishing #rafting #community #rural #watershedgroup #climatechange #wyoming #yellowstonenationalpark #nationalpark #bozeman #livingston

Along this stretch of the Upper Yellowstone River in Montana, various dynamics exist. Hear from a rancher, a river restoration professional, an outdoor recreation business owner, and a Traditional Ecological Knowledge educator who are all deeply connected to this river. Whether the challenge is drought, flood, impact from river recreation, development, or otherwise, witness how approaches that are guided by local communities and by the river itself can create greater resiliency for the people and place here.

This is Part 1 of 2 of our episodes on the Upper Yellowstone River, focusing on the historic floods in 2022, the aftermath, and looking forward for resiliency for people and place.

This episode pairs with the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River. The Life in the Land project is a series of films that hears from folks around Montana speaking to the value in community-guided and holistic approaches within the landscape. The content is available for free at LifeintheLand.org

LINKS:

The Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group

Montana Freshwater Partners

Project Indigenous

Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co.

Park County Environmental Council

Give Back to the Yellowstone Campaign

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#yellowstone #montana #rivers #upperyellowstone #paradisevalley #flooding #climatechange #rural #montanarivers #flyfishing #yellowstonenationalpark #river #bozeman #livingston