LISTEN FIRST MONTANA

For this 10th installment of our mini-series focused on Leadership Montana’s newest program, the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, we’re featuring a conversation recorded in January of 2023 in Arlee, MT, on Flathead Nation between Shelly Fyant, Velda Shelby, and Mary Stranahan. These three local leaders and graduates of Leadership Montana discuss exciting work happening to strengthen the community of Arlee and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, including Shelly’s work in food sovereignty and Salish language development occurring at a local school. Mary describes the strong leadership of CSKT, and Velda Shelby provides a fascinating history of stick game in the area. The group also discusses the deep challenges of racism and intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous Peoples, and much more.