Moving Forward, Looking Back
Narratives of Indigenous identity in Montana
Introduction
The 2024 edition of the Native News Honors Project analyzes the myriad of ways tribes are embracing their sovereignty and identity after centuries of persecution. In many ways, tribes share the dark parts of what it meant to be Native American in the United States. But today, each tribe is embracing its identity through building a better future for its citizens.
In 1934, the United States federal government attempted to quantify Indigenous identities through a system known as blood quantum in an effort to limit tribal citizenships. The highly controversial measurement of the amount of “Indian blood” someone has is still used by every tribe in Montana to determine citizenship.
We hope you enjoy this issue. Read More of the opening here…
Before it’s Forgotten
Once held back by diversity, Little Shell tribe embraces its roots
A MATHEMATICAL GENOCIDE
Tribal enrollment challenges identity on the Blackfeet reservation
SURROUNDED BY SÉLIŠ
Rigorous program amplifies efforts for Salish language transmission
COMPLETING THE SACRED CIRCLE
Fort Peck Two-Spirit community restores spaces in the face of legislative attacks
BREACH OF TRUST
Tsis tsis’tas take law enforcement reform into their own hands
BY THE REINS
Apsáalooke’s kinship with the horse cultivates connection
INDIAN ED FOR SOME
More than 50 years later, Montana schools are still learning how to meet the state’s unique constitutional provisions
2024 Staff
Meet the 33rd annual Montana Native News Project staff.
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Acknowledgments
The Native News Honors Project is reported, photographed, edited and designed by students at the University of Montana School of Journalism. This is the 33rd annual edition. The team appreciates the advice received from Nora Mabie, Indigenous communities reporter for Lee Montana; Felicia Fonseca, Southwest assistant news director at the AP; Amanda Bearmedicine, film director; Joseph Grady, film producer and Montana 10 director; and Darian Woehr, independent filmmaker. We also appreciate the assistance from Dennis Swibold’s News Editing class as well as Kaimin Editor-in-Chief Emily Tschetter.
Funding support for the 2024 publication and the multimedia website came from the UM School of Journalism and the Greater Montana Foundation, encouraging communication on issues, trends and values of importance to Montanans. We also appreciate Hagadone Media Montana for working with us to make this publication possible.
If you have comments about the project, email Jason Begay at jason.begay@umontana.edu or Jeremy Lurgio at jeremy.lurgio@umontana.edu or write to Native News, School of Journalism, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812
We’d love to hear from you if you enjoyed or have thoughts about the Montana Native News Project. Please email us at nativenewsproject@gmail.com