Western Native Voice: Expanding Horizons

04/29/2025

🌟 Western Native Voice: Expanding Horizons: March–April 2025 Edition is Here! 🌟

We're excited to announce that Western Native Voice: Expanding Horizons is now a monthly publication! Each month, we'll bring you the latest updates, stories, and opportunities from Western Native Voice's youth program.

We're thrilled to share the latest updates from Western Native Voice's Expanding Horizons program, highlighting the incredible achievements and events from the past two months:​

Discovering Our Path Youth Conference: A transformative gathering that empowered Indigenous youth to embrace leadership and cultural identity. ​March 16-19, 2025.

Senate Page Experience: Celebrating Mabel Small from Colstrip High School for her inspiring role as a Senate Page. ​March 2025

Close-Up Tribal Youth Summit Trip: Our youth engaged in impactful discussions and experiences at the summit, which took place​ April 6-11, 2025.

Outstanding Leadership Recognition: Honoring Tuarie Stiffarm-Rosette from Box Elder High School for receiving the MHSA Outstanding Leadership Performance Award. ​

Meet Our Intern: Welcoming Marajah Pease, our dedicated Spring 2025 intern, played a pivotal role in creating this newsletter. ​

Stay connected and learn about upcoming events, opportunities, and stories from our community.

👉 Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQdbuvYoYabP8VmXr4rliAmI8z9e1mWhFb03T2E2LrxvDaog/viewform?usp=sharing

04/28/2025

🌸 Mother’s Day Celebration with Keller Williams! 🌸
Join us for food, fun, and community!

📅 Date: Saturday, May 4th
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: 80 25th Street West, Billings, Montana 59012

We’re hosting a $5 meal sale — includes a hamburger or hot dog + chips! 🍔🌭🥔
Grab a bite, celebrate the amazing mothers in our lives, and enjoy a fun afternoon with the community.

All proceeds support Western Native Voice's Youth Program, Expanding Horizons!

Bring your family, your friends, and your appetite! ❤️

04/28/2025

🎓✨ High School Senior Celebration in Great Falls ✨🎓
Let’s celebrate YOU and everything you’ve accomplished!

Join us for an unforgettable night of fun, food, and entertainment as we send off the Class of 2025 in style! 🎉

📍 The Elks Lodge, Great Falls
📅 May 17, 2025
🕕 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🎧 Live music by Foreshadow
🌮 Food Truck & Beverage Vendor
📸 Selfie Station
🎁 Big Prize Bingo & Door Prizes

Parents are welcome to join in the celebration!

There will also be a table with info and resources to help you take that next step into adulthood — if you're ready.

Let’s make memories, have some laughs, and celebrate all your hard work, Class of 2025! 💙

04/21/2025

04/21/2025

Henry Ford once said, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

Start this week by stepping out of your comfort zone. Growth happens when you dare to do things differently! 💪🔥

Monday Motivation brought to you by Western Native Voice.

04/18/2025

Congratulations, Tuarie, Box Elder Schools and The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Montana

🏆 A big shoutout to Tuarie Stiffarm-Rosette from Box Elder High School! 🏈🏀

The Winter 2025 MHSA Outstanding Leadership Performance Award, sponsored by Western Native Voice, recognizes students making a powerful impact. Tuarie’s leadership as a state champion quarterback, basketball captain, mentor, and cultural role model is truly inspiring. 🌟

👏 Let’s celebrate Tuarie’s incredible achievements, dedication, and leadership both on and off the field!

Learn more: www.mhsa.org/outstandingleadership

04/17/2025

Western Native Voice Youth Attend Close Up Tribal Youth Summit in Washington, D.C.
April 6–11, 2025 | Group Photo

Students representing Montana schools and Western Native Voice proudly participated in the Close Up Tribal Youth Summit in Washington, D.C., held April 6–11, 2025. The summit brought together Native youth from across the country to explore civic engagement, leadership, and advocacy at the national level.

Attendees included:

Kiara Wheeler – Medicine Crow Middle School

Sicily Glenn – West High School

Mateo Putra – Billings Senior High School

Ozzie Williamson – West High School

Jarvis Werk – Lockwood High School

Maraya Werk – Lockwood Middle School

Taisha Old Elk – Lockwood High School

Amazing Real Bird – Lockwood High School

Torrian Turnsplenty – Lockwood High School

These young leaders engaged in discussions on policy, tribal governance, and identity, while connecting with peers from across Indian Country. Their participation reflects Western Native Voice's commitment to uplifting youth and cultivating the next generation of changemakers.

04/11/2025

✨ Final Day of the Expanding Horizons Youth Conference! ✨

We wrapped up our powerful week with a presentation at Capitol Hill, where our students had the opportunity to share their voices on a national stage. One of our own, Sicily Glenn, proudly represented Group #4 and spoke during the closing of the Tribal Youth Summit—a moment that captured the heart and strength of our young leaders. 🗣️💪

Special thanks to Western Native Voice and Close Up for making once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like this possible. Because of your support, our youth are walking in their purpose, expanding their horizons, and shaping the future. 🌟

04/09/2025

☕ Our students recently had the chance to grab a coffee and connect with Montana representatives in a relaxed, informal setting.

Montana is the only state where you can publicly have coffee with your reps — and our students made the most of that unique opportunity. They were even able to take a picture with Montana reps in Washington, D.C., making it a memorable highlight of their visit to the nation’s capital.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and made it meaningful — and to our reps for engaging with our youth! 🙌

04/08/2025

Day 1

04/08/2025

🌟 Expanding Horizons: From Billings to Washington, D.C.! 🌟

Nine incredible students from our Western Native Voice Youth Program, Expanding Horizons, traveled from Billings to the heart of our nation's capital — Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸

These future leaders didn’t just explore monuments and museums — they proudly represented our communities by presenting on the mission and impact of Western Native Voice. 💬✨

From powerful conversations to unforgettable experiences, these young changemakers are building bridges and finding their voice on a national stage.

We are beyond proud of their courage, confidence, and curiosity. 🧠💫