Stories for Action

The City of Whitefish; planning in the midst of class gentrification in Montana

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 01:11:50 -0300

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

The Sober Life: Recovery through community, in Montana & beyond

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:13:57 -0400

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

Rivers, Community, & a Call for Reconnection

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:55:27 -0400

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.

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 Nation of Timor-Leste: Witnessing renewal & reconnection

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:35:21 -0400

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.

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

Food Security in MT: the whole system from producer to consumer access

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:08:11 -0400

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

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

Housing in Montana

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:21:25 -0300

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

The Mighty Few, Part 2: Connecting Youth, Identity, Economies, & Community Health

Tue, 28 May 2024 00:54:22 -0300

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

The Mighty Few: Part 1, Community Connection is the Foundation

Thu, 16 May 2024 00:52:47 -0300

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.

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

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

The Upper Yellowstone River: Part 2 - Recreation and a Call for Community Reconnection

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 15:30:13 -0400

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

The Upper Yellowstone River: Part 1 - The Floods & Listening to the River

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 03:25:12 -0400

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.

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

Safe Passages for Wildlife and People

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:51:25 -0400

Wildlife and humans have a need to move across the landscape. But our modern modes of travel have put those necessary pathways at odds with one another. Our highways create barriers for animals to carry out the daily movements and seasonal migrations that are necessary for their survival. For people, crossing paths with an animal on the highway is also a threat to our own safety and a cause for collisions that cost around $8 billion in damages in the U.S. every year.

The topic of wildlife-vehicle collisions lies at the literal intersection of human needs and wildlife needs. In this episode, we take a look at how our approaches to this topic can relate to all areas of planning how our human needs and communities advance, in a way that acknowledges our place within our environments. We will hear from members of Yellowstone Safe Passages, a community-guided coalition in Southwest Montana that is taking a holistic approach to mitigate this issue. We will hear from a road ecologist about what this work looks like on the ground and the jaw dropping costs of continued conflict. And a policy expert will share how this topic creates bipartisan engagement and a model for productive legislative action.

In this episode, WE HEAR FROM:

Marcel Huijser, Western Transportation Institute

Liz Fairbank, Center for Large Landscape Conservation

Max Hjortsberg, Park County Environmental Council

Peter Brown, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Erin Sito, Wildlands Network

Members of Yellowstone Safe Passages

The Montana Legislative Session from an Indigenous Perspective

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:19:24 -0300

Today we will hear from Patrick Yawakie-Peltier, co-Founder of Red Medicine LLC, an Indigenous civic engagement service based in Montana. Patrick was present throughout Montana's legislative session this year, advocating for and against policy that will impact the state's tribal members. Patrick will share with us his personal experience in the session as an Indigenous person and community advocate, and also his calls for improved engagement and approaches in our state legislative process. Patrick shares messages intended for tribal members to gain information and entry points for advocacy, and also for non-Native folks to gain valuable insight and perspective. Like many of our episodes attempt to do, I hope that no matter your demographic, you can gain some insight about others or even yourself through these conversations…as I believe, whether you agree with someone or not, it benefits us to be more informed about the challenges, and humanized perspectives of those we share our world with.

This episode also shares some context and introductory information on Montana's unique tribal communities and a few specifics that contribute to the field of Indian Law. We encourage you to continue your research on these topics. Below are a few links for starting points.

LINKS:

Red Medicine LLC on Facebook

People's Food Sovereignty Program

Native American Influences on U.S. Government

Montana Indigenous Tribes: Their History & Location (from Office of Public Instruction)

Montana Indian Education for All - curriculum & information for all ages

Info on Indian Child Welfare Act: National Indian Child Welfare Association

Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968

American Indian Movement: AIM

"The 1950's plan to erase Indian Country" piece from American Public Media

Land Status of Indian Country in Montana: Policy Basics

House Bill 163 to extend task force for MMIP - Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons

Indigenous language revitalization

What the session means for Indian Country: Char-Koosta News article

Article on funding for internet access for rural and tribal communities

This episode is made possible with support from Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. Headwaters is committed to supporting the health and sovereignty of Native Americans through their grants and partnerships. Learn more at www.headwatersmt.org, or find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. Learn more at StoriesforAction.org Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

#tribalsovereignty #legislation #policy #tribalpolicy #indianlaw #montana #montanalegislators #democrat #republican #indigenous #indigenousvoices #nativevoices #advocacy #community #reservation #policymaker #senator #congressperson #helenamontana #mmip #mmiw #icwa #stategovernment #aclu #flatheadreservation

Uplifting community & connection through story: Marissa Hackett

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 18:10:48 -0300

It seems like these days, if you spend even the slightest amount of time tuned into public events and rhetoric, you become aware of growing divisions...that there is a silent, or sometimes very loud pressure to “pick a side”, narratives and messaging coming from higher levels of public messaging, social media, policymakers, to align, to pit us against them, and sometimes this narrative can grow louder than the moral compass inside our own head.

This episode with Marissa Hackett touches on a lot of things, and I hope that one of them sparks an answer for you on how we can humanize one another again, individualize the real stories behind our actions and bandwagons. This conversation is about respecting the sacredness of a connected community and connection to place...it’s about sharing story, removing stigmas, and normalizing the hard conversations, and empowering us to allow human connection to rise above political divides.

Marissa Hackett speaks to her connection to the people and places of Montana, her work with the Human Resource Development Center in Park County and the realities in rural areas of folks needing support with housing, food, safety from abuse, or other vulnerabilities. She also touches on her experience growing up in what she terms as a cult, and parallels she sees with divisive messaging tactics that are growing today.

LINKS:

Marissa Hackett's blog "Breaking the Cycle" on Substack

Human Resource Development Center (HRDC)

Southwest Chemical Dependency

Community Health Partners

Leadership 49 program - MSU Park County Extension

Montana Veteran's Affairs Division

Livingston Food Resource Center

ASPEN - Abuse Support Prevention Education Network

Park County Library

Article: MSU Extension & MT Dept of Ag join new USDA regional food business center partnership

Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center

This episode was made possible through support from Meadowlark Guide Co, which hosts river trips and retreats that embrace the mountains, prairies, and rivers of Montana and Wyoming. They weave together elements of personal development, healing modalities, and adventure with the intent that you will find deeper and meaningful connection to place, self, and community.

_______________________________

#community #Montana #homeless #rural #foodbank #foodinsecurity #affordablehousing #polarizing #divisive #nonpartisan #roymasters #breakingthecycle #healing #communityhealth

Generations Indigenous Ways: Helene Gaddie (Life in the Land series)

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 18:12:30 -0300

Helene Gaddie is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Generations Indigenous Ways (GIW). This community based Native nonprofit organization is dedicated to empowering American Indian youth with the knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education enhanced by Oglala Lakota values and way of life using Indigenous Sciences, operating in the Pine Ridge Reservation area. They host camps in all seasons, which consist of hands on learning that integrates traditional Lakota values and Indigenous Science with Western science, touching on everything from geology, astronomy, ecosystem health, learning modern technologies such as GIS or learning about physics through archery, with bows they construct themselves.

Helene’s story and messages provides great insight for anyone already leading a community-guided organization, anyone who sees a need in their community but doesn’t know where to start to take action, anyone working in the spaces of youth outreach, education, science, and for anyone in the Oglala Lakota Nation or beyond, who want to hear about some inspiring and impactful work.

This conversation with Helene took place at the Strengthening the Circle gathering, hosted by Hopa Mountain in Bozeman in April 2023. This gathering aims to build the capacities of experienced and emerging Native-led nonprofit organizations that are working to improve economic development, education, and social services on or near reservations.

LINKS:

Generations Indigenous Ways

Native Science Field Center
National Science Foundation
Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples

Hopa Mountain

Strengthening the Circle, gathering

This episode is part of the Life in the Land project, which is a series of films and podcasts produced by Stories for Action, which hears from folks that interact with the complexities of Montana's landscapes, speaking to the value of locally-led work and the holistic approaches needed for the health of communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Find out more about the project and watch the films at LifeintheLand.org

#Lakota #Oglala #Indigenousleadership #indigenousnonprofit #traditionalecologicalknowledge #tek #indigenousscience #sciencefoundation #nativescience #southdakota #montana #youth #STEM

Messengers for Health in Crow Nation: Alma McCormick (Life in the Land series)

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 18:50:15 -0300

Alma McCormick is the Executive Director of Messengers for Health, an organization which holds a mission to foster and support trusted community leaders to improve the health of Apsáalooke (Crow) men, women, and children using solutions that respect and honor Apsáalooke strengths, culture, stories, and language. Messengers for Health began with a focus in cancer prevention for women of the Crow Nation, but their work has expanded to serve Crow women, men, and children, in various aspects of health outreach.

Alma will speak to breaking through cultural stigmas about speaking about cancer and how important it is to have medical care advocacy be made up of and guided by the community itself. She also speaks about the healing power of forgiveness and by sharing her own story, she gives inspiration on how to take the path of helping others in the wake of tragedy.

This conversation with Alma took place at the Strengthening the Circle gathering, hosted by Hopa Mountain in Bozeman in April 2023. This gathering aims to build the capacities of experienced and emerging Native-led nonprofit organizations that are working to improve economic development, education, and social services on or near reservations.

LINKS:

Messengers for Health

State of Montana Cancer Screening Program

MT State University's College of Education, Health and Human Development (Dr. Suzanne Held)

Hopa Mountain, organization

Strengthening the Circle, gathering

#Health #cancer #americancancersociety #crownation #breastcancer #cancerawareness #indigenousadvocacy #nativehealth #indianhealthservices #native #nativenurse #crowagency #hardin #billings #montana #indigenousleadership #cancerprevention

Daniel Kemmis: The Politics of Place (Life in the Land series)

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 18:17:47 -0300

Daniel Kemmis has divided his public career between democratic theory and practice. He has been an active politician, author, and thought leader on the topics of community guided governance and decision making based upon citizens’ rooted connection to place.

Kemmis grew up on a small family farm in Eastern Montana, attended Harvard University, and the University of Montana’s School of Law. Kemmis served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1974 to 1984, rising to be Speaker of the House. He went on to become the Mayor of Missoula from 1990-96. Utne Reader recognized Kemmis as one of its “100 Visionaries” in 1995, he was awarded the Charles Frankel Prize for “outstanding contribution to the field of the humanities” by President Clinton, and honored with the Wallace Stegner Prize from the Center of the American West. Kemmis has authored the books Community and the Politics of Place, The Good City and the Good Life, and This Sovereign Land. His most recent book, Citizens Uniting to Restore Our Democracy, was published in 2020. In this book, by examining the historical and current context of American society, Kemmis reminds us that when we bring our problem-solving skills to bear as engaged members of collaborative communities, we can rise above the divisive partisanship and polarization so common today, and move onto the truly democratic ground of the common good.

We speak about these topics and more, and joining Daniel and I in this conversation is Bill Milton. Bill is a cattle rancher in the community of Roundup, Montana and is engaged in a variety of entities on a local, state, and national level, as an advocate for finding symbiotic relationships between people and the landscapes they're a part of.

LINKS:
Citizens Uniting to Restore Our Democracy

#Montana #missoula #politics #bipartisan #nonpartisan #polarization #dividednation #collaboration #danielkemmis #mayor #howtoheal #howtoconnect #createcommunity

Creating Community and Representation in Outdoor Recreation

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:57:36 -0400

This episode hears from Alex Kim, a Korean American, who in 2020 founded the social enterprise Here Montana. Here Montana works to increase representation and inclusivity for People of Color and intersecting communities in outdoor spaces and recreational activities in Montana. It also works to develop personal and professional leaders in these spaces. Here Montana operates on the values of community, education, engagement, and joy to create opportunities for connection, fun, and healing that nature can provide. This episode has messages for those seeking community, those who may need a perspective shift, and folks interested in starting up their own social enterprise.

Find out more at HereMontana.org or on Instagram @Here_Montana.

This episode is generously sponsored by the Patagonia Outlet in Dillon, Montana. Patagonia's work is now guided by the following words from the company's founder, Yvon Chouinard, "Earth is now our only shareholder. If we have any hope of a thriving planet - much less a business - it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is what we can do."

Stories for Action is a media company working in audio, film, and photography and holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to share human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. You can find out more about our work at StoriesforAction.org or on Instagram or Facebook.

#Montana #outdoorrecreation #getoutside #publiclands #recreation #diversity #equity #diversityintheoutdoors #keepitpublic #community #ski #run #hike #hunt #fish #rafting #socialjustice #outsidejoy

Reframing Rural: Sarah Vogel, the Farmer’s Lawyer

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:26:13 -0400

For this episode of Stories for Action, we did an "episode swap" with the Reframing Rural podcast, hosted and produced by Megan Torgerson. While they graciously are airing one of Stories for Action's episodes on their feed, we are airing this first episode of Reframing Rural's third season. In it, Megan speaks with Sarah Vogel, attorney and author of "The Farmer's Lawyer: The North Dakota Nine and the Fight to Save the Family Farm." Sarah shares about her experience taking on the U.S. Government in a class action lawsuit brought forward by 240,000 farmers who were facing foreclosure in the 1980's farm crisis.

This episode touches on the pressures facing local farms and ranchers, which we still see today, but also reminds us to be involved with our democracy, to use our voices, and to hold our elected officials accountable. It reminds us that relatively recently, the public was less concerned with political party loyalty and tearing down one another and more concerned with choosing leaders who selflessly got things done for the betterment of their constituents.

We hope you enjoy this episode from Reframing Rural, and checkout their previous two seasons which share stories of people and places in rural America in an effort to cultivate curiosity and conversation across geographic, class, and cultural divides.

LINKS:

Reframing Rural Podcast

"The Farmer's Lawyer: The North Dakota Nine and the Fight to Save the Family Farm," Sarah Vogel

Elk and the Devil’s Kitchen Management Team (Life in the Land series)

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 19:08:17 -0300

Elk are essential components to a healthy ecosystem, and food source for many. They can also create some very complex dynamics, some that can get tense. In this episode we are focusing on the intersection of ranchers and landowners, elk populations, hunters, and wildlife biologists and agencies involved in guiding management of wildlife herds. This episode is for those directly involved (ranchers, agency, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts) and beyond as there are messages that speak to anyone involved in getting folks in a room together to work out problems, or who may be jaded with our polarized society and need some renewed faith that when we work together, we can move mountains, as a guest today says.

We are speaking with four longtime members of the Devil's Kitchen Management Team, which focuses on the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area north of Helena in Montana. This collaborative working group came together over 30 years ago, as ranchers, agency, and sportsmen who saw tensions around local elk herds building and did not want to end up in angry commission hearings. They took it upon themselves to begin managing the area, not only the elk herds but the greater ecosystem, in ways that worked for everyone, including the land and wildlife. Hear about the challenges, the methods of success, and why they have now become a model for collaborative groups on the landscape.

Guests: Bill Long (Solid Ground Consulting), Chase Hibbard (Sieben Livestock), Cory Loecker (Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Region 4 Wildlife Manager), and Dave Cole (Hunter & Sportsman)

Gravel Pits and the Public Losing Their Voice

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 20:29:33 -0300

It could pop up in that field next to your home, or kid’s school, or elk migration corridor…and newly passed laws in Montana have made it that much easier for it to happen without input or transparency with the public. Gravel pits, or open cut mines…they may seem benign, but when you hear about how much this could effect you, your health, your well water, aquifers, the wildlife, it may make you wonder why more people aren’t talking about them. This episode will inform you about the impacts of open cut mines and inform and equip you with the information to take action if you find yourself impacted, or better yet, how to take action now to prevent the current system from operating as it does. This episode is also great for legislators and decision makers to hear, as well as agency and the Department of Environmental Quality.

Hear from Anne Hedges and Melissa Nootz of Montana Environmental Information Center, whose mission is to advocate for the public on issues that impact environmental and human health. We will also hear from two residents of Arlee, Montana, Jennifer Knoetgen and Shelly Fyant, who are now involved in grassroots efforts to mobilize their community in response to a gravel pit and asphalt plant proposed in their neighborhood (Friends of the Jocko).

LINKS:
Montana Environmental Information Center
Friends of the Jocko
Map of Open Cut Mine Sites in Montana

#Montana #gravelpits #environmentaljustice #mining #environment #propertyrights #water #cleanair #pollution #hb599 #meic

Old Salt Co-Op: Strengthening community and land stewardship through food (Life in the Land series)

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 01:57:48 -0300

Today we are speaking with Cole Mannix, one of the founders of Old Salt Co-op, a Montana entity with growing avenues of operations to rebuild infrastructure for Montana’s meat…but their work goes well beyond the meat itself with a mission to connect customers and producers in a shared purpose; to be stewards of the land, and to strengthen community. This conversation with Cole will touch on so many larger concepts that go well beyond meat and well beyond Montana…because what the team of ranchers, chefs, butchers, and entrepreneurs behind Old Salt are building, centers around something much deeper. They are proving what can be possible when a business entity leads with respect for the land and people it is connected to, and the shaping of Old Salt is dictated by the holistic connections of people and place.

This episode will speak to ranchers, policymakers, food consumers in all locations, those concerned about wildlife and their habitats, those concerned with community well-being, and entrepreneurs & small business owners of all kinds. In the face of so many pressures; of wild and agricultural lands being bought up and fragmented, rural and urban divides, environmental and social impacts of delocalized food systems, and a fading in human connections, our discussion today shows how Old Salt is creating the energy and impact to touch on all of these concepts.

LINKS:

Old Salt Co-op

Life in the Land: MT Fish, Wildlife, & Parks’ Mike Ruggles; agency partnerships in Central Montana

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:32:54 -0300

Mike Ruggles is the Region 5 Supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Mike has spent much of the last 10+years in the field working with wildlife and communities connected to the Musselshell River in Central Montana. The 350 miles of the Musselshell River flows through a great deal of agricultural lands, supports migratory birds and a variety of aquatic species, and has experienced a great deal of channelization over the past 150 years due to infrastructure for highways, mining, railroad, and irrigation.

Mike will speak with us about the significance of agency positions creating relationships with folks on the ground and having them help guide the work, the value in honest dialogue and the need to break habits of making assumptions about different sectors or demographics on the land. He has great insight for folks working both in government agency, as well as landowners. He shares on his work with the Musselshell Watershed Coalition; a watershed group that brings together a variety of stakeholders to restore the natural floodplain of the river, and create communication around the needs of the river and water users. Mike also speaks to the value in connecting communities to their own environments, and an exciting project that MT FWP is partnering on with Musselshell County.

LINKS:

Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks

Musselshell Watershed Coalition

Connect to your local Conservation District

Life in the Land: Rancher & Community-led Conservation; Bud and Sheila Walsh

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 02:12:15 -0300

We are on the Walsh Ranch, speaking with Bud and Sheila Walsh, in Central Montana on the edge of the Fort Belknap Reservation. Many elements are dependent on the health of these grasslands; they provide key wildlife corridors, are key for regional watersheds, carbon sequestration, and the health of this region supports hardworking communities largely centered around cattle ranching. These folks take great pride in producing quality food for the world, in ways that can also steward the land.

Here in Central Montana, there are several partnerships being formed, many non-traditional, which Bud and Sheila Walsh are involved in and will be speaking to today. To put it nicely, and vaguely, the world of ranching landowner and conservation non-profits or government agencies have not always had histories of working well together. But Bud and Sheila Walsh will share with us how these partnerships can be done with established trust, communication, and when the needs and knowledge of the ranchers on the ground are truly listened to and respected. They will share with us about being involved with The Nature Conservancy’s Matador Ranch grassbank and the Rancher’s Stewardship Alliance, where rancher's are leading work, through partnerships, that benefit communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Bud also speaks to his involvement with the Agricultural Committee for the Island Mountain Development Group, an Indigenous-led entity working to create self-sustaining economies and opportunities for members of the Aaniih and Nakoda Nations. This is a great episode for ranchers, folks in conservation, community development, or great insight for those who think their lives may not relate to those of ranchers at all, because I’m sure in some way you will find that it does. Bud and Sheila share insight on building trust and the values in listening, learning together, creating opportunities for the next generation, and the involvement of local communities.

LINKS

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance

The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch

Island Mountain Development Group

Life in the Land: Blackfeet Nation, Joe and Kathy Kipp, Stewardship as a rancher and community advocacy

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:16:54 -0300

Joe and Kathy Kipp, of The Blackfeet Nation, Amskapi Piikani, are always on the move; always busy with a variety of things, as cattle ranchers, advocates, parents, grandparents, and so much more. They live outside of Browning, Montana in the heart of Blackfeet Country, on the Blackfeet Reservation in Northwest Montana. As they are involved in so much, you will hear about a variety of topics in this episode.

Joe will speak with us about the importance of stewarding native grasslands, as a rancher and as Amskapi Piikani, his people’s connection to this land, and his experience working in predator/livestock conflict. Kathy will share with us about connecting to traditional foods and her berry orchard, and the value in having community representation. They will both speak to the realities of trauma endured, and the continued strength of their people, and their own messages they have for those within and outside of the Blackfeet community in how to communicate and move forward in a good way.

LINK:

Blackfeet Nation Stockgrowers Association

Piikani Lodge Health Institute (includes outreach for producers)

Farm Service Agency, Montana Directory

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services

Food Access & Sustainability Team FAST Blackfeet

#Blackfeet #Indigenousleadership #blackfeetnation #amskapipiikani #browning #ranching #regenerativeranching #stewardship #resiliency #NativeLeadership #NativeVoices

Life in the Land: Bill Milton (Rancher), Collaborative Work & Resiliency, Central Montana Plains

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 14:59:06 -0300

Bill Milton and his wife Dana run a cattle ranch just northeast of Roundup in Central Montana. Bill and Dana have always strived to find symbiotic relationships amongst all life on the land, and this means being involved in a lot of efforts that involve collaboration between agriculture, agency, and conservation interests.

Bill will share with us about the realities of what ranchers are up against and ways he sees resiliency being built for people and place. He speaks to the value and urgency in working collaboratively, creatively, and having honest dialogue around the shared challenges and successes. He will speak specifically to his work with the Musselshell Watershed Coalition, Winnett ACES, and an exciting new project, the Rangeland Monitoring Group, which involves rancher guided research and data collection of the rangeland ecosystem. Bill has great information for fellow ranchers, agency, conservation groups, and those who may see themselves as distant to agricultural communities, expressing shared needs of humanity and resiliency. We will also hear from Natalie Berkman, apprentice at the Milton Ranch through Quivira Coalition's New Agrarian Program.

LINKS:

Musselshell Watershed Coalition

Winnett ACES

Quivira Coalition's New Agrarian Program

Rangeland Monitoring Group

Montana DEQ's Abandoned Mine Land Program

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance

Montana Conservation Districts

BioRegions International

WWF Sustainable Ranching Initiative

The Nature Conservancy Montana

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Northern Great Plains Joint Venture

#regenerative #regenerativeranching #ranching #ranchlife #drought #montana #resilience #collaborativeconservation

Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley: Pedro Marques, Big Hole Watershed Committee

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 19:58:59 -0300

Pedro Marques, who has an ecology and landscape-scale restoration background, is Executive Director of the Big Hole Watershed Committee (BHWC). This organization brings together a variety of stakeholders; ranchers, anglers, agencies, scientists, community leaders, and more to collectively address challenges and benefit the health of the communities and ecosystems of the Big Hole Watershed in Southwest Montana.

Pedro speaks with us about the importance of bringing varied perspectives together, and how local solutions can address relatable pressures that are being felt around the world; droughts, increased demands on waterways, sustainability of local agriculture, wildlife habitat loss, and land development. He also shares the value in letting nature and local voices guide the work.

LINKS:

Big Hole Watershed Committee

Montana Watershed Coordination Council

High Divide Collaborative

Heart of the Rockies Initiative

Western Aspen Alliance

Life in the Land: Laura Nowlin; Rancher, Winnett ACES, Musselshell Watershed Coalition

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 02:22:31 -0300

Laura Nowlin grew up on her family’s ranch in Winnett, MT, in the prairies and coulees of Central Montana. After a decade away, Laura returned home and continues her family's tradition as a cattle rancher. Her passion and heart is clearly tied to not only the land and waters here, but the community of Winnett. Laura speaks to her involvements with locally led organization Winnett ACES, whose holistic approach touches on everything from ranch viability, ecosystem health, and reviving old buildings to serve the needs of the community.

She also speaks to her work with the Musselshell Watershed Coalition and the value in partnerships and local voices leading the work. In this conversation, Laura offers inspiration and insight for others who may be looking to push forward a locally-driven group in their own communities, from boosting Main Street to the health of your watershed. This segment also features Aaron Clausen, Senior Program Officer of World Wildlife Fund's Sustainable Ranching Initiative.

LINKS:

Winnett ACES

Musselshell Watershed Coalition

World Wildlife Fund's Sustainable Ranching Initiative

The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch grassbank

Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley, USFWS Partners Program, Jim Magee

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 02:07:48 -0300

Jim Magee is a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program in the Big Hole Valley of Southwest Montana. The Partner Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land.

For the past 28 years, Jim has been an active part of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, which brings together a variety of voices from the Valley to lead programs and provide resources to benefit the land and communities of the Big Hole Watershed.

Jim shares about creating productive relationships between agency and private landowners, the exciting work that they have been able to implement to benefit both wildlife and ranchers in the Big Hole, and the collaboration to successfully keep the Arctic grayling fish from being listed as an endangered specie. This is great information for both agency and landowners alike.

LINKS:

USFWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program

Big Hole Watershed Committee

Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley, Range Rider Chet Robertson

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 01:50:49 -0300

Chet Robertson is a Range Rider in the Big Hole Valley on behalf of the Big Hole Watershed Committee. A Range Rider typically rides amongst the cattle, to keep an eye on the livestock, watch for medical issues, monitor when they need to move to new ground to prevent overgrazing, and to prevent conflict with predators. Whereas most Range Riders ride the cattle, Chet is unique in that he rides the predators, primarily wolves. As a tracker, he keeps a close connection with the area packs, to predict their movements, and to discourage their presence around grazing areas. Chet speaks about the tracker lens that he moves through the landscape with, his perspective on the social divisiveness of wolves, and his experience owning the Jackson Mercantile for the last 20 years, and the larger connections to what small towns are up against.

Links:

Big Hole Watershed Committee

Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley; Eric Thorson (fly fishing guide), Liz Jones (rancher)

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 01:37:02 -0300

The communities of the Big Hole Valley depend on the economies of ranching and fly fishing. In this episode, we hear from two members of the Big Hole Watershed Committee from each of those industries.

Eric Thorson owns Sunrise Fly Shop in Melrose, MT and speaks to the significance of fly fishing in the Big Hole as an economic driver and a catalyst for conservation. He also speaks to the impacts on the fishery from a changing climate.

Liz Jones is a rancher in Wise River, MT and was a founding member of the Watershed Committee. She speaks to the changes she has seen in the Valley as well as what the drought and fires of 2021 meant for ranchers.

Both Eric and Liz speak to the value and urgency in different perspectives coming together for the betterment of all life in the Valley that depend on the Big Hole River and its tributaries. The Big Hole Watershed Committee creates a space for that to happen, and can serve as a model for other watersheds to utilize this holistic, community driven approach.

Big Hole Watershed Committee

Sunrise Fly Shop

Life in the Land: Blackfeet Nation: Piikani Lodge Health Institute; Kim Paul

Fri, 20 May 2022 02:15:59 -0300

Piikani Lodge Health Institute (PLHI) is a community-driven organization that integrates traditional lifeways to create resiliency for the people and biosystems of the Blackfeet Nation, in Northwest Montana. They use holistic approaches and the guidance of traditional lifeways to meet community led and community focused needs. They lead programs on the ground and conduct research, integrating both Western and Indigenous Research Methodologies. Their work encompasses climate adaptation, job and career creation, opioid misuse prevention, regenerative grazing, and youth outdoor programs, recognizing the interconnectedness of community well-being with the health of the ecosystem they are a part of, and connecting to traditional lifeways. We hear from Kim Paul, Director and Founder of PLHI, on her own journey to this work, the importance of holistic approaches and efforts that are truly community-led, and the empowerment in connecting with traditional lifeways and cultural history that have been pushed away through assimilation policies of the last 200 years. We also hear from Tyrel Fenner, Hydrologist for PLHI, on his work with their climate adaptation and regenerative grazing programs, as well as Jimi Champ, Vocational and Horticulture Teacher at Browning High School, who is partnering with PLHI on a snow fence project.

LINKS:

Piikani Lodge Health Institute, also on FB & IG

The Blackfeet Climate Adaptation Plan

Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Management Plan, FB Page

Blackfeet Community College

This episode was Co-Produced by Lailani Upham of Iron Shield Creative.

Life in the Land: Blackfeet Nation: Kristen Kipp; Rancher, Mother, and Griz Advisory Council

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:26:40 -0300

Kristen Kipp is a member of the Blackfeet Nation, Amskapi Piikani. Kristen is a cattle rancher, a mother, a hunter, an advocate, and so much more. She runs her own cattle operation within her family’s ranch outside of Browning, MT in the heart of Blackfeet Country in Northwest Montana. She works in Producer Outreach for the Piikani Lodge Health Institute and the Blackfeet Nation Stockgrowers Association. Kristen shares about her own connection to the land and role in stewarding it, as Amskapi Piikani, and as a rancher. She also speaks to her experience living in grizzly bear country, the Blackfeet's cultural connection to the bear, and being on the Governor’s Grizzly Bear Advisory Council, and the need for representation in all forms of advocacy.

LINKS:

Piikani Lodge Health Institute, also on FB & IG

Governor's Grizzly Bear Advisory Council

Blackfeet Nation Stockgrowers Association, also on FB & IG

This episode was Co-Produced by Lailani Upham of Iron Shield Creative.

Life in the Land: Blackfeet Nation: Jesse DesRosier; Blackfeet Language

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:24:20 -0300

Jesse DesRosier, Amskapi Piikani, Blackfeet Tribal Member, is a teacher of the Blackfeet Language. He teaches at The Piegan Institute's Cuts Wood School and Blackfeet Community College in Browning, Montana. Jesse is also an artist, a community and cultural advocate, a Veteran, a husband, and father. Jesse shares with us about the intricate connection of the Blackfeet Language to the land and how Blackfeet ways of life are directly embodied in the language. Following two centuries of forceful assimilation policies, the existence of the Blackfeet Language was threatened as of 20 years ago, as there were no young speakers remaining. With efforts from within the community, such as The Piegan Institute, started by the late Darrell Kipp, there are over 100 new language learners who are carrying it on. Jesse shares the hope he gains from witnessing the young members of the community connecting to their culture. He also speaks to the connections to the Badger-Two Medicine area and the significance of this land being stewarded by the Blackfeet people.

Links:

The Piegan Institute

Jesse's Art Page on IG

Badger-Two Medicine, article from Flathead Beacon

This episode was Co-Produced by Lailani Upham of Iron Shield Creative.

Life in the Land: Seeley Swan, Caryn Miske, Clearwater Resource Council

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:19:32 -0300

In this episode we are in the community of Seeley Lake, in Western Montana. We hear from Caryn Miske, the Executive Director of the Clearwater Resource Council, a locally-led entity that works to engage the community and facilitate efforts that enhance, conserve, and sustain the natural resources and rural lifestyle of the Clearwater Watershed for present and future generations. Caryn shares with us about what holistic, community-led work around climate, equity, and environmental quality can look like, the realistic challenges to starting and sustaining a local nonprofit, and as pressures on small towns and wild places increase, why the efforts are always worth it. She also shares an example of a collaborative process that did not go so well, so there's a lot of information in here for folks in other regions who are looking to embark in collaborative or locally led work in their own community or work.

LINKS:

Clearwater Resource Council You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Montana Legacy Project

Life in the Land: Seeley Swan, Pyramid Mountain Lumber

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:19:15 -0300

We are in Seeley Lake, a community in the Clearwater Watershed, and an hour north of Missoula, hearing from Gordy Sanders (Resource Manager) and Wendy Dalrymple (Controller) of Pyramid Mountain Lumber. Pyramid is is the largest employer in Seeley Lake, and the oldest surviving family owned lumber mill in Montana.

Gordy and Wendy speak with us about what it can look like when a natural resource industry approaches its work through a stewardship lens; not only going above its expected duties as a lumber mill to be involved in work that benefits the greater ecosystem, but also to benefit the community it is a part of. Pyramid is also intrinsically very collaborative in its approach, working closely with government agency, tribal entities, conservation organizations, and private landowners. Gordy speaks with us about the value in this approach and about working with entities with different priorities.

LINKS:

Pyramid Mountain Lumber You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook.
Montana Forest Collaboration Network

Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project & legislation: www.blackfootclearwater.org

This episode is part of the Life in the Land project, which is a series of films and podcasts produced by Stories for Action, which hears from folks that interact with the complexities of Montana's landscapes, speaking to the value of locally-led work and the holistic approaches needed for the health of communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Find out more about the project and watch the films at LifeintheLand.org

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. Storiesforaction.org Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

Life in the Land: CSKT Forestry Division (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes)

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:17:44 -0300

In this episode, we are on the Flathead Reservation in Western Montana, speaking with Tony Incashola, Jr., Director of the Tribal Forestry Department for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), and Ron Swaney and Darrell Clairmont of CSKT’s Division of Fire. These interviews are featured in the Life in the Land film on the Seeley-Swan, as that region was not only significant for the Kalispell, Salish, and Kootenai Tribes for thousands of years, but today, the jurisdiction line between Tribal management and U.S. Forest Service follows the ridgeline of the Mission Mountains.

For over a century, forest management on the Flathead Reservation was held by federal agencies. In 1996, management was transferred to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, who stewarded these lands for thousands of years. Tony Incashola, Jr. and his team speak about their ecosystem approach to their forestry plan, working in partnership with neighboring jurisdictions, combining Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Science, and reconnecting to a traditional relationship with fire on the landscape.

Links:

CSKT's Fire on the Land Presentation
CSKT's Forestry Department & forestry plan

This episode is part of the Life in the Land project, which is a series of films and podcasts produced by Stories for Action, which hears from folks that interact with the complexities of Montana's landscapes, speaking to the value of locally-led work and the holistic approaches needed for the health of communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Find out more about the project and watch the films at LifeintheLand.org
Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. StoriesforAction.org Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

Life in the Land: Timothy Ryan, Cultural Educator Mission Mountain Youth Crew, Salish Kootenai College

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:17:22 -0300

In this episode we are speaking with Timothy Ryan, Salish tribal member, cultural educator, and Department Head for the Salish Kootenai College’s Culture and Language Studies Department. We are on the banks of the Flathead River, on the ancestral homelands of the Salish, Kootenai, and Kalispell Peoples in what is now known as Western Montana. Tim speaks about connections to this land, here, in the Seeley-Swan, and well beyond in the ancestral homelands of the tribes. He speaks to the sense of place, which all of humanity can learn from, Indigenous worldviews, and the ways he sees his communities weaving traditional life ways into present day life, to benefit the health of people and place.

LINKS:

Mission Mountain Youth Crew
Salish Kootenai College
The Séliš-Ql̓ispé Culture Committee

Life in the Land: Seeley Swan, Rebecca Ramsey, Swan Valley Connections

Thu, 19 May 2022 02:06:00 -0300

We are in the Swan Valley of Northwest Montana, hearing from Rebecca Ramsey, Executive Director of Swan Valley Connections. SVC is a locally-led organization with a mission to inspire conservation and expand stewardship in the Swan Valley. SVC really dials into the holistic values of stewardship; of connecting people to their environment, in ways that directly benefit the health of the local communities. In this conversation, Rebecca shares with us about the critical nature of listening to folks on the ground within rural communities and successes and challenges of working with varied interests, which creates insight for those thinking of applying this approach to their own work. We spoke with Rebecca on the banks of Elk Creek, in the Elk Creek Conservation Area, which Swan Valley Connections co-owns with the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, which Rebecca will also share about this important partnership.

LINKS:

Swan Valley Connections You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Montana Legacy Project

Life in the Land: Blackfeet Nation, Lauren Monroe Jr., BF Tribal Business Council

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 19:35:21 -0300

In today’s episode, we hear from Lauren Monroe Jr., Amskapi Piikani, of the Blackfeet Nation. Lauren serves as Vice Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council. He is also an artist, a film director, and worked for Blackfeet Nation Fish and Wildlife Department.

Lauren speaks with us about his own connection to the land, the critical nature of having Blackfeet leadership in regional land management, including the stewardship of the Badger-Two Medicine. Lauren also shares the hope he holds for his community, seeing them move forward in ways that carry on traditional connections and life ways, for the health of people and the land.

This episode is Co-Produced by Lailani Upham (Amskapi Piikani, Aaniiih, Nakoda, Dakota) of Iron Shield Creative, which holds a mission to foster the natural world and draw human connection through Indigenous perspective storytelling.

LINKS:

Back story and updates on the stewardship of the Badger-Two Medicine area, from the Blackfeet Nation: https://blackfeetnation.com/badger-two-medicine/

Article on Blackfeet stewardship of Badger-Two Medicine, from US News, September 2021: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2021-09-18/blackfeet-continue-work-to-defend-badger-two-medicine

Iinnii Initiative's Facebook Page

Iinii Initiative: The Return of the Buffalo, short film on the program: https://youtu.be/6LJfPMoGMAg

"Blackfeet Nation Taking Back the Food System", article from NRDC on one of many Blackfeet-led initiatives to reconnect to traditional lifeways: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/blackfeet-nation-taking-back-food-system

The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan, a Blackfeet-led, holistic plan to guide many aspects of community and ecosystem health in a changing climate: https://blackfeetclimatechange.com/our-environment/climate-change-adaptation-plan/

Creative Indigenous Collective, is a collective of Native American artists, which Lauren co-founded and is a member of. They're Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeIndigenousCollective

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Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley, Rancher Jim Hagenbarth

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 17:13:30 -0400

Jim Hagenbarth is a cattle rancher near Glen, Montana, in the Big Hole Valley. Jim tells us what he wants the public to know about a rancher's role as a steward of the land, the success and challenges of collaborative work, and the impacts of droughts, not only to ranchers, but on the sustainability of open space and connected ecosystems.

The Life in the Land project is a series of films and podcasts that share the success of collaborative, locally-led work on the land, as well as share the nuance in how to hold healthy relationships with the land and one another, to benefit people and place. View the whole project at LifeintheLand.org

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

LINKS:

Big Hole Watershed Committee

Montana Watershed Coordination Council: info and resources on this watershed-scale, collaborative approach

#collaborative #collaborativeconservation #ranchers #ranching #montanarancher #regenerativeranching #localleadership #Montana #bigholevalley #watershed #rivers #ecosystems #water #waterinthewest

Indigenous self-determination through political advocacy & food sovereignty: Patrick Yawakie

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 13:03:56 -0400

Patrick Yawakie is on a path to address as many angles that move forward Indigenous self-determination and empowerment as possible.
He lives on the Flathead Reservation in Western Montana. Originally from Minnesota, Patrick is of Zuni-Pueblo, Turtle Mountain Anishinabe, Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux, and White Bear Nakoda Cree descent.

Patrick and his wife, Regina MadPlume founded the People’s Food Sovereignty Program, a Native led, grassroots organization that promotes food sovereignty and self-determination for the tribal members living on the Flathead Reservation. Along with Alissa Snow, he co-founded Red Medicine LLC, which provides professional civic engagement resources to tribal communities everywhere. He also served as a lobbyist for the Blackfeet Nation in the 2021 Montana Legislative session. He is also the Political Director of Indigenous Vote, an organization based in Billings, MT which enhances the level of civic engagement for Native Americans to achieve political and economic empowerment. They conduct this work through community outreach, voter education, and policy advocacy.

Patrick spoke with us about his inspiring work, where he sees the greatest needs, and successful approaches that can apply to other grassroots, community-led work.

People's Food Sovereignty Program: on IG & FB @PeoplesFoodSovereigntyProgram

Red Medicine LLC: FB @RedMedicineLLC

Indigenous Vote: https://www.indigenousvote.org & on FB & IG

Stories for Action is a media hub that uses the power of storytelling to advance a thriving planet for all. Submit your story or contact us to help you share your call to action through media at https://www.storiesforaction.org or @storiesforaction on Facebook & Instagram and @Stories4Action on Twitter.

#foodsovereignty #salish #CSKT #FlatheadReservation #selfempowerment #empowerment #indigenousvote #getoutthevote #Montana #nativeland #selfdetermination #sustainability #sustainablefoodsystems #systemschange #regenerative #politicaladvocacy #NativeAdvocacy #NativeEmpowerment #Nativeleadership #Indigenousleadership #food #community

Strengthening Community in a Changing Montana

Sat, 23 Oct 2021 19:01:15 -0300

Today’s episode looks at changes and pressures being felt in Montana communities, and the importance of community involvement in navigating how this change can occur in a sustainable way. Changes are nothing new for Montana communities, but as you listen to residents from around the state, they know that the changes currently taking place, are a bit more ramped up than before. Trends of folks with higher, out-of-state incomes, moving into Montana have been on the rise for decades, but with the pandemic, these trends are amplified. As housing prices skyrocket, working class local residents are unable to afford to stay, making many towns, large and small, feel pressures in their own sustainability.

We will hear from Pat Baltzley of Gardiner, MT, who joined other community members to be proactive with the felt pressures of rapid growth, we will speak with Hermina Harold, Executive Director of Trust Montana, about the community land trust model as a way of ensuring long-term, housing and farmland affordability, and finally we will hear from the Program Leader of MSU Extension’s Community Development Program, Tara Mastel, who is working on a different type of change occurring in Montana’s towns and who explains why we should rethink the narrative of “rural decline”.

LINKS:

Successful Gardiner: https://www.successfulgardiner.org

Trust Montana: https://trustmontana.org/
MSU Extension Community Development Program: https://msuextension.org/communitydevelopment/
Reimagining Rural Series: https://msuextension.org/communitydevelopment/reimagine-rural.html
Future West: https://www.future-west.org/
Shirley Sherrod & the Center for Community Land Trust Innovation: https://cltweb.org/resources/hall-of-fame/shirley-sherrod-2/

Stories for Action: Facebook & Instagram @Storiesforaction Twitter: @Stories4Action

To support our upcoming short film project, "Life in the Landscapes" with a tax-deductible contribution: https://www.storiesforaction.org/general-6

#community #Montana #406 #development #rural #urban #urbangrowth #ruralgrowth #Havre #missoula #bozeman #billings #equity #landtrust #gardiner #msuextension #sustainability #change #sustainabledevelopment #environmentalimpact

A Just Transition for Black Mesa: Nicole Horseherder

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:17:58 -0300

In the 1960’s, Peabody Energy began operating coal mines, and then later coal power generating stations on both the Navajo and Hopi Reservation land. While the coal operations generated jobs and tax revenue for the Navajo and Hopi people, the environmental impact has been astounding.

In this episode we speak with Nicole Horseherder, a Diné woman who lives on the Black Mesa Plateau in Navajo Nation. She is the Executive Director of the group Tó Nizhóní Ání, a Diné term translating to “Sacred Water Speaks". For the past twenty years, the group has served as the eyes, ears, and voice of the Diné people in the region…striving to preserve and protect the water, people, and advocate for the responsible interaction with natural resources of the region.

Nicole speaks with us about the complex dynamics between the coal industry, the water, and the people of Black Mesa. She speaks with us about her organization’s work and the importance of a new way forward that empowers Dine` people to determine the fate of their energy, economies, and stewardship of the water.

Links:

Tó Nizhóní Ání website: http://tonizhoniani.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonizhoniani

Navajo Equitable Economy, a path for just economies: https://www.NavajoEquitableEconomy.org

Native Renewables: https://www.nativerenewables.org/

Navajo Yes: http://navajoyes.org/

Diné Community Advocacy Alliance: https://dineadvocacy.org/

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre tracker tool for the renewable energy industry: https://trackers.business-humanrights.org/transition-minerals/

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Subscribe to the Stories for Action podcast and share with friends, to hear other inspiring stories from those taking bold action, and to help you find your role in advancing a thriving planet.

#BlackMesa #JustTransition #Waterislife #coal #renewableenergy #climate #Indigenous #Diné #Navajo #Hopi #Arizona #jobs #Native #Empowerment

A Journey in Organizing for Environmental Justice: Tianna Arredondo

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:39:50 -0300

Tianna Arredondo has been active in organizing for environmental justice since they were a child. Their organizing has ranged from the local community level to international, with groups such as Power Shift Network and SustainUS, where Tianna was a delegate for the UN Climate Negotiations in 2018. Tianna is currently a National Organizer for Environmental Justice at 350, an organization dedicated to advancing a clean energy future for all. Tianna’s role entails supporting local climate advocacy leaders around the country while helping to create a BIPOC led climate justice narrative in these spaces.

Tianna shares their story with us, speaking about what brought them to environmental justice organizing, the power of sharing stories and human connection, and advice for others in the climate justice space; whether you are looking for how to become involved or are already leaders within your communities.

If you want to contact Tianna about climate justice organizing and the inner work that this entails, or fossil fuel divestment: Tianna.Arredondo@350.org

Subscribe to the Stories for Action podcast and share with friends, to hear other inspiring stories from those taking bold action, and to help you find your role in advancing a thriving planet.

#environmentaljustice #climatejustice #climatechange #climateaction #organizing #pollution #justice #community #BIPOCleadership #cleanair #environmentalracism

Crop Swap LA: Transforming lawns into sources of food and empowerment

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 22:02:40 -0300

Jamiah Hargins is the founder of Crop Swap LA, a social enterprise that will convert lawns and unused spaces into hubs of nutrient-rich food for Los Angeles communities that are the most affected by nutritional food discrimination. What started as a method of connecting neighborhood gardeners to share their extra produce, has grown into a full venture that includes Jamiah and his team literally planting the seeds for community connections and healthy food. Jamiah speaks with us about this work, the challenges and pay-offs of starting up a social enterprise, food justice, and the power of nutritious food to connect us to our communities and environments.

More info:

Crop Swap LA: Site: https://www.cropswapla.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lacropswap/

Jamiah Hargins IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacksuperdad/

Prosperity Market IG: https://www.instagram.com/prosperity.market/

Garden Soxx product: https://gardensoxx.com/

Crop Swap App (a partner of Crop Swap LA): https://cropswap.com/

Subscribe to the Stories for Action podcast and share with friends, to hear other inspiring stories from those taking bold action, to help you find your role in advancing a thriving planet.

#sustainablefood #organic #LosAngeles #gardening #cropswap #environmentaljustice #fooddesert #foodjustice #foodsovereignty #community #organicfarming #urbanfarming #healthyfood #startup

Public Health and Climate Change

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 15:21:44 -0400

"Every action that we take to decrease emissions and decrease air pollution is going to improve human health...There will be roughly 1.4 million lives saved over improved air quality over the next 20 years. This also results in about $700 billion per year to the US from improved health, which is dramatically more than the cost of implementing the changes necessary to mitigate and prepare for climate change."

In this episode, we speak with Dr.'s Robert and Lori Byron, founders of Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, about the dramatic health impacts of climate change, the sometimes surprising benefits of taking immediate action, and the important voice of medical professionals in ensuring positive change. Hear important information and calls to action for the general public, health professionals, and policymakers within Montana, and around the world.

Find out more about Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, and resources on state and national climate and health organizations at https://www.MontanaHPHC.org If you are a health professional of any kind located in Montana, you can also sign up to be a member, receive their newsletter, and anonymously pledge your support for when the organization speaks up for legislation in regards to climate action and public health.

Subscribe to the Stories for Action podcast and share with friends, to hear other inspiring stories from those taking bold action, to help you find your role in advancing a thriving planet.

#publichealth #climate #climateaction #health #doctor #nurse #healthcare #medical #montana #climatejustice #cleanair #pollution #healthy

A Just Transition: Calls to action from coal communities

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 15:20:25 -0400

We are hearing about a "just transition" a lot lately, though calls for it have been coming for decades. As the world is inevitably shifting away from fossil fuels to a more sustainable energy source, a just transition calls to make sure this shift is done as fair, or just, as possible, keeping in mind the impacts and benefits to people.

There are many layers of impact we must look at within this topic, and stories to hear from, but today’s episode will look at what a just transition means for American communities that have been economically and socially tied directly to the coal industry. The extraction of coal has not only directly employed and supported thousands of workers and their families, but it is often the economic driver for all sectors in an entire town or region. Tax revenues from coal mines and plants can support state wide services, such as schools and housing.

From Appalachia to Navajo Nation, and communities tied to the coal industry around the world, there are local leaders and communities taking action to create sustainable, equitable opportunities. Today we will hear stories from those on the ground level of this concept; we will speak with someone working with communities around the country with the Just Transition Fund, another one specifically in Appalachia with the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, and a current employee of a coal plant in Montana, and what he wants the public and policymakers to know about his community.

Just Transition Fund: More information & resources for coal communities: https://www.justtransitionfund.org and https://www.NationalEconomicTransition.org

More info and resources from Appalachian Citizens' Law Center: https://www.aclc.org

Share these episodes with others and subscribe to hear more stories to inspire you to find your role in a thriving planet.

#justtransition #coal #community #appalachia #colstrip #montana #arizona #navajonation #fossilfuels #greennewdeal #climate #climatechange #energy #renewableenergy #climatepolicy #climateaction #sustainable

Rising Up for Environmental Justice in Louisiana

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 14:18:41 -0400

St. James Parish, an area an hour west of New Orleans, was once a landscape of wetlands, fertile soil, and healthy waterways. In the early 80’s, an influx of industrial plants moved in. This area, which now contains 150 industrial plants in an 85 mile stretch, is now termed “Cancer Alley”, or “Death Alley” by residents as the known health effects extend well beyond cancers, putting this area at the front lines of environmental racism.

Sharon Lavigne is a retired school teacher from St. James Parish, who is now leading a fight for the lives of her community. She founded her organization, RISE St. James, in an effort to organize against Formosa Petrochemicals, which is planning to build 14 new plants two miles from her home. Sharon shares with us her story of standing up for her community, her calls to action for every one of us, and inspiring motivation for those who may be fighting a similar fight.

For more info and how to support RISE St. James: www.stopformosa.org

For more info on the Coalition Against Death Alley: www.enddeathalley.org

Share these episodes with others and subscribe to hear more stories to inspire you to find your role in a thriving planet.

#Louisiana #StJames #Formosa #environmentalracism #environmentaljustice #intersectionalenvironmentalism #cleanair #pollution #NewOrleans #grassroots #environment

A Sea of Solutions: Bren Smith of GreenWave

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 12:07:26 -0400

What if there was something that could feed humans, provide good paying jobs, benefit the health of the oceans, mitigate climate change, feed livestock, fertilize soil, restore food sovereignty for coastal Indigenous communities, and create a biodegradable plastic? Enter: Seaweed.

Bren Smith is a commercial fisherman turned ocean farmer. As a driver of this modern method of regenerative ocean farming, Bren has been named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “25 People Shaping the Future” and featured in TIME magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2017”. Bren founded the organization GreenWave, which works with fishermen and coastal communities to enter the world of regenerative ocean farming; a mix of growing seaweed and shellfish in the open ocean.

Bren speaks with us about this work, getting creative with our approach to climate solutions and job creation, and finding ways to benefit life in the oceans and coastal communities. He provides insight and calls to action for those in the fishing industry, policymakers, consumers, and those in all sectors seeking resiliency.

GreenWave: https://www.greenwave.org @GreenWaveORG

Bren's book: Eat Like a Fish: My Adventures Farming the Ocean to Fight Climate Change (James Beard Award Winner): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/547069/eat-like-a-fish-by-bren-smith/

Subscribe to the Stories for Action podcast and share with friends, to hear other inspiring stories from those taking bold action, to help you find your role in advancing a thriving planet.

#oceans #fishing #kelp #seaweed #climate #food #solutions #climateaction #greenwave #fish

Uplifting Stories of Climate Injustice: Maia Wikler

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:49:23 -0400

Maia Wikler is an anthropologist, climate justice organizer, and writer whose work has appeared in Teen Vogue and VICE. Maia is a true positive change maker; using her skills of writing, film, and community organizing to advocate for those on the frontlines of climate change. A great deal of her work focuses on uplifting youth leadership, Indigenous communities, and human rights. She was a youth delegate at the UN Climate Talks in 2017 as a member of the organization SustainUS.

Maia is currently a PhD candidate in Political Ecology at the University of Victoria. She is directing a short documentary film featuring the Gwich’in women who are leading the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Maia was recently selected as a National Geographic Early Career Explorer to document cross-border stories about the threats to wild salmon from mining in Northern British Columbia.

Maia speaks with us about the impact of storytelling, youth leadership, and how we can all find our role in defending against climate injustice.

#ClimateCrisis #Environmentaljustice #environment #storytelling #vice #teenvogue #climate #youth #SustainUs #Sunrise #NationalGeographic #Canada #Indigenous #DefendtheSacred #NativeYouth

Growing Climate Solutions: What It Means for Farmers

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 12:31:07 -0300

Between effects of climate change, costs of inputs and production, and market hits, it is difficult for farmers to make gains outside of government subsidies. But what if farmers could help to mitigate climate change, increase the resiliency of the land, and put money in their pockets while doing so?

In June 2020, a climate related bill was proposed...with strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The Growing Climate Solutions Act would create a USDA program to encourage farmers, ranchers, and foresters to become an active part of the carbon market. It would encourage practices that create healthier soil, allowing more carbon to be captured in the ground, and paying out money from the carbon market to the farmer.

In this episode we speak with Jenny Hopkinson, Senior Government Relations Representative for the National Farmer's Union. Jenny tells us about the variety of solutions that farmers can lead the way on, and why it is important for their input to help shape this legislation.

There are different opinions on the concept of carbon markets, but perhaps this legislation can be seen as one small element within a holistic approach needed to address climate, farmer's needs, and improving our food system...all which need bipartisan support.

More info on the National Farmer's Unions: https://www.nfu.org. @nationalfarmersunion

#farmers #climate # carbonmarket #ranchers #forester #GrowingClimateSolutionsAct #climateaction

Bob Quinn: How organic farming benefits farmers, public health, and the planet

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 14:39:00 -0300

Bob Quinn is an organic regenerative farmer from Big Sandy, Montana. He speaks with us about why our current industrial agricultural model is not working & the benefits of returning to a nature based method of farming; for creating profits for farmers, strengthening rural communities, offering a key to climate change, & preventing chronic diseases in our population. This conversation is for farmers who need the entry points to transition to organic, and for all of you who enjoy EATING FOOD! Our food and how it is grown affects everything about our body and environment. This conversation gives a little "behind the scenes" look into what goes into that food, the people growing it, and what is at stake if we don't stand up for it.

This summer, a bill was introduced in the House with bipartisan support. The bill is called the "Growing Climate Solutions Act" and it will push the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop programs for farmers and foresters to sequester carbon into their soils, and put money in their pockets for doing so. Stories for Action loves stories about collaboration and about healthy soils, so we see the potential for a positive start with this bill. This is the first of two episodes in which we will be looking at stories around this bill. In our next episode we will speak with the Senior Government Relations Representative from the National Farmer's Union.

Creative Impact: Asher Jay, National Geographic Explorer

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 13:44:09 -0300

Asher Jay an international adventurer and National Geographic Explorer whose compelling paintings, installations, ad campaigns, and films all have a single purpose: to incite global action on behalf of wildlife conservation. Asher speaks with us about the importance of storytelling in conservation, working with local communities, and how action forward can only come about if we have inclusive conversations.

“It’s an interesting time to be alive because there are so many perspectives depending on where you are in that storyline. As conservationists, if we approach it solely from the perspective of ‘this needs to be kept alive for its own intrinsic value’, it’s all well and good but if the reality and context does not support it, people are not actually going to be a part of that solution process.”

Find out more on Asher Jay:

IG & Twitter: @earthheiress

www.asherjay.com

#conservation #artist #wildlife #elephants #environment #climate #community #poaching #art #impact

Indigenous Food Sovereignty & the Power of Native Plants: Rose Bear Don't Walk

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 03:14:31 -0300

Rose Bear Don't Walk is an ethnobotanist and a member of the Bitterroot Salish and Apsaalooke Tribes in Montana. Rose was awarded a "Fellowship for the Future" by 500 Women Scientists, for her program "Recovering Our Roots", which bridges science and traditional plant knowledge as a means for food sovereignty, improved nutrition, and cultural connection for the Salish Community. Rose speaks with us about this work and how we can all reconnect with and find new ways to value the land in order to thrive for generations. Rose holds a BA in political science from Yale University and a MS in environmental studies from the University of Montana.

Rose Bear Don't Walk on IG: @rosedontwalk

Her thesis is published on University of Montana's Scholarworks under "Recovering Our Roots".

#Salish #Nativeplants #Indigenous #NativeFoods #FoodSovereignty #Montana #ethnobotany #food #medicine

Smokejumping, the power of food, & moms' important role in climate action: Jessie Thomas

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 17:35:37 -0300

As wildfires were burning across the western US, we spoke with Jessie Thomas about her experience fighting wildfires as a smokejumper and her business Sustainable Wellness, which promotes lifestyles and nutrition for human and environmental sustainability. She also spoke about the need for new voices in leadership and mothers' critical role in climate action.