What the Helena

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51. Let the 2025 Legislative Session begin... Jan 11, 2025

Show notes

Take a deep breath cause the first week of the 2025 Legislative Session is over! Anyone else feel like each Session gets a little bit more chaotic?

In this episode meet our two new hosts Zuri & John, as they take us through the happenings of the week from senate drama to a hopeful affordable housing bill!

Events:

Wednesday, January 15th join Montana’s from across the state at Capitol Flag Plaza (in front of the Capitol building) for the Montana Medicaid Rally. RSVP here!

Thursday January 16th at 12pm, join us at a virtual action to Call Your Lawmaker. This youth-led event will provide you with the tools and practice on how to contact your legislator - in particular, to invite them to the Climate Day of Action, happening on Friday, January 24th, in the Capitol Rotunda. RSVP here for the virtual call. More info here about the Climate Advocacy Day.

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana!

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

50. 2024 Wrap up Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Well here we are - at the end of 2024.

Kiersten & Lyla convene to chat about how our year went at Forward Montana. We also hear from Zuri, our new Legislative Director, about what we can expect next year during the 2025 session.

Be sure to tune back in next year where we will be providing weekly updates - here & on our website!

Looking for more information about how the legislative session works? Head here!

You can follow Forward Montana on instagram @forward_montana and on Tiktok @forwardmontana.

This episode was hosted by Lyla & Kiersten and edited by Ashley.

49. Montana's Housing Crisis Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

In this episode two of our staff members: Ashley & Sage talk about Montana's Housing Crisis. We talk about Zoning, Homelessness and the overall cost of housing in Montana.

Here are some resources pertaining to housing in Montana:

48. Taking care of yourself & your community Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

This episode we chat with two of our staff members Pari & Cassidy about taking a break and some other coping & self care methods! We also chat about our communities and how we can continue to care for those as well.

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana and on TikTok @forwardmontana. Visit us online at forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted by Pari & Cassidy and edited by Ashley.

Additional Resources:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- https://988lifeline.org/ Call: 988

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 800-273-8255 or chat with Lifeline

LGBT National Hotline- https://lgbthotline.org/national-hotline/ Call: 888-843-4564

LGBTQ+ Text Line- text “HOME” to 741-741.

Call BlackLine- https://www.callblackline.com/ Call: 800-604-5841

MH resources for marginalized communities https://afsp.org/mental-health-resources-for-marginalized-communities/

Montana 211- connects you with the community resources, services www.montana211.org

Loveland Foundation therapy fund for black women and girls

47. CI - 126 & 127 with Erin Miller Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Miller from Montanans for Election Reform to discuss Montana’s CI-126 and CI-127 ballot initiatives. Together, we explore what these proposals could mean for election integrity, access to voting, and the future of democracy in our state.

You can follow Forward Montana on instagram @forward_montana and on TikTok @forwardmontana. Visit us online at forwardmontana.org.

For more informaiton about Montanans for Election Reform visit yeson126mt.com.

This episode was hosted by Sophie and edited by Ashley.

Make sure you return your ballot early or head to the polls on NOV 5.

46. Indigenous Reproductive Health Care with Alice & Dani Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

With abortion health care and reproductive rights at the forefront of this election season, we talk to Alice Boyer and Danielle Vazquez to explore the reproductive rights of Indigenous people in Montana. We discuss why it’s crucial that everyone has access to these essential services.

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana and on TikTok @forwardmontana. Visit us online at forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted by Taryn & Mikayla and edited by Ashley.

Make sure YOU submit your ballot!

45. Indigenous Citizenship Act with Ronnie Jo Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

This year marks the centennial of the Indigenous Citizenship Act, also known as the Snyder Act, which granted citizenship to Native Americans nationwide. However, the act didn't guarantee the right to vote. We sit down with Ronnie Jo Horse, Western Native Voice's Executive Director, to explore the significance of this act 100 years later and its relevance in the current election season.

To learn more about how Western Native Voice is working with Native American communities to build political and personal power to impact policies affecting their communities, check out their website westernnativevoice.org.

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana and on TikTok @forwardmontana. Our website is forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted by Sid Boyer and edited by Ashley Lobao.

Make sure YOU are registered to vote here!

44. Unearthing Our History with the Bodies Beneath Us Crew Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

This Halloween, we're joined by Max Cumming, Dylan Yonce, and Paul Kim to discuss their forthcoming documentary, The Bodies Beneath Us. The film follows two of Missoula's buried histories: the former poor farm and cemetery site that now hosts Rattlesnake Elementary, and the city's once prominent Chinese community whose bones still rest at the base of Mount Jumbo. These stories ask us to interrogate the things we've been told about the places we call home; to dig a little deeper, and not to look away from what we find.

You can keep up with the documentary on Twitter @bodiesbeneathus and Instagram @bodiesbeneathusdoc. The Bodies Beneath Us is fiscally sponsored by the Foundation for Montana History; you can donate to the project at this link.

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. You can learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

43. Black History Month 2024 Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

During black history month it's important to celebrate and uplift the stories of folks who helped shape both our state and our nation. For this episode, we sat down with author Anthony Wood to share the narratives of black Montanan's across the state from Churches in Billings, to the Black Women's Clubs in Great Falls to The New Age Newspaper of Butte. Take a listen to learn more about some of the events that shaped history through the lens of black Montanans!

To learn more about Anthony Wood's book Black Montana: Settler Colonialism & the Erosion of the Racial Frontier 1877-1930, head here: https://www.anthonywwood.com/

You can check out the documentary Hidden Stories: Montana's Black Past here: https://www.montanapbs.org/programs/hidden-stories/

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter/X @forward_montana. You can learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted by Lyla Brown and Courtney Smith and edited by Cydney Smith.

42. 2023 Wrapped Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

After some technical difficulties, we are pleased and proud to bring you our 2023 Wrapped episode! Last year we saw young people play a huge role in Montana politics so for this episode, we decided to do a little extra to close out 2023. Our hosts, Chloe (they/them) and Kat (they/she), brought in some special guests, played a game, and collected some of your stories and takeaways to give you a rundown of What the Hell—ena even happened this last year.

Show notes!

Find out more about the bills mentioned in this episode (SB 99, HB 889, HB 971, and HB 317) using the ⁠2023 Capitol Tracker.⁠
Read the ⁠ACLU's entire press statement⁠ on SB 99.
Check out this ⁠Missoula Current article⁠ about Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoing HB 889, a bill that would have given protections for mobile home park residents, like requiring park owners give 60 days notice before taking action like increasing rent.
Learn more about the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act HB 317 ⁠here⁠. As well as the federal case, Haaland v. Brackeen, by listening to this podcast from Crooked Media, ⁠This Land⁠.
Learn more about the Montana Environmental Protection Agency, the Montana Constitution, and the 16 Montana youth who sued the state... and won! (⁠Held v. Montana⁠).
Transcendent Joy Volume 3 - Big Gay Planet
The Nap Ministries, Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey. check it out ⁠here⁠!

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. You can learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

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