What the Helena Forward Montana

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.

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.

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.

If you've been following the news in Montana for the last few months, it's likely you've seen a barrage of headlines about property taxes: how much they're rising, who's responsible, and what we ought to do about it. These conversations can be confusing, politically motivated, and full of opaque math and jargon-y terminology. On this month's episode, Montana Free Press's Eric Dietrich helps us see through the political messaging from across the spectrum and get at the heart of the question: what services to we expect from our government, and who should be financially responsible for those services?

PLUS, a bonus mini-interview with Brandon DeMars of Middle Fork Strategies, where we break down the math and message behind TaxShiftMT.com.

You can read Eric's reporting on property taxes (and more!) at this link.

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. Learn more about us at www.forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted and edited by Izzy Milch.

UPDATE: Shortly after recording this episode, Teresea resigned from the position of Mayor of Glendive. As we approach municipal elections this fall, we're taking some time to talk about local government - specifically, local government in Glendive, Montana.
Over the last few months, tensions have mounted surrounding the Glendive City Council, Mayor Teresea Olson, and city's now-former Director of Operations. At the center of it all is are some big questions: Who has the right to participate in local government, and how far does that right extend?
Joining us on the podcast this month are Mayor Teresea Olson - the first woman to hold that office in Glendive - and local veteran and engaged citizen, Shannon Kadrmas. We talk about transparency, accountability, and just how much the people of Glendive have a right to know about their government.
You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. Our website is www.forwardmontana.org.
This episode was hosted and edited by Izzy Milch.

This week, we're joined by Cheyenne from Butte Pride and Kelly and Kayla from the Anaconda Pride Foundation to hear about their experiences planning and pulling off Pride events in small-town Montana earlier this summer. We talk about how unique and crucial these events are in smaller and more rural communities and share lessons we've all learned from organizing with and for LGBTQ2S+ Montanans.

You can keep up with Butte Pride on Instagram @butte_pride. Anaconda Pride Foundation is on Facebook at this link.

You can find Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter (are we calling it X now? What's up with that?) @forward_montana. Our website is www.forwardmontana.org. You can learn more about our open positions at this link!