Climate momentum is building in Montana
Banners created by Sunrise Movement Gallatin County. Photo by Winona Bateman.
By Sarah Lundquist and Winona Bateman
On January 20, a coalition of 17 organizations across Montana convened in Helena, centering climate stories and action at the Capitol’s very first Climate Advocacy Day. The rally drew over 300 attendees from throughout the state, including Billings, Livingston, the Flathead, Butte, Bozeman, and Missoula. Singing songs and welcoming speakers from around the state, we gathered to have a public conversation about climate change in one of our most important public spaces–our state government.
The day included family friendly activities, information sessions, time to observe legislative sessions, and a rally featuring 13 excellent speakers from across the state. You can watch the full rally courtesy of Helena Civic TV on their website.
Mica speaks about the upcoming Held vs. Montana trial in Montana. Photo by Winona Bateman.
Attendees, speakers, and coalition members at the rally illustrated the ways they are experiencing flooding, wildfires, drought, heatwaves, and other climate impacts firsthand. They also spoke to their visions of a better future, where the dignity and worth of all people is recognized and protected; where good jobs and localized, clean energy economies are the norm; where communities are healthy, connected, and safe from extreme weather and pollution.
Gwen Lankford, President/Owner of Sapphire Strategies, Inc. and rally speaker remarked, “I feel so hopeful. In our Indigenous pathways there’s actually so many answers for the future. In our language there is embedded reciprocity, there’s mutual respect for everything, there’s a being-ness for everything in our language…I want to invite you into a pathway of reciprocity and one of the simplest ways to do that is expressing gratitude…When you express gratitude it means that whatever you are grateful for is valuable.”
Gwen’s daughter, Cecelia, added, “Fill your heart not with hate, not with dominion, not with the desire to crush others to achieve your own goals, but with love. Say thank you. Look at the people around you and say thank you to them. Fill yourself with gratitude. Walk forward with gratitude and love.”
Lance Four Star, Director of the American Indian Caucus for the Montana State Legislature, led the group in prayer.
We at Families for a Livable Climate are so grateful to be part of this coalition and the movement for a healthy, safe, equitable, and resilient home for all Montanans. This is the future of climate action in Montana: A massive and diverse coalition response to a worsening crisis that threatens our families, livelihoods, and life ways. A grassroots effort that promotes collaboration toward a clean energy future, and a thriving future for all people and other beings in our state.
We are so incredibly grateful to all of the speakers, and all of the panelists who joined the morning and afternoon panels: Michelle Uberuaga with Moms Clean Air Force Montana and Park Country Environmental Council, Kristen Walser with Citizens Climate Lobby, Izzy Milch with Forward Montana, Termaine Edmo with Blackfeet Nation, Jeff Smith with 350 Montana, Patrick Yawakie with People’s Food Sovereignty Program and Red Medicine, LLC, Priscilla Bell with Thiel Road Coalition and Northern Plains Resource Council, and Ian Lund with MEIC. We’re also incredibly grateful to Sunrise Movement Gallatin County for the amazing banners, their leadership in emceeing the rally and moderating our afternoon panel! Big thanks to emcee Isabel Shaida, and moderators Lucy Hochschartner, and Nick Fitzmaurice!
Many thanks to all of the Montanans for a Livable Climate coalition members!
350 Montana, All Nations Health Center, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Ecology Project International, Faith and Climate Action Montana, Families for a Livable Climate, Forward Montana, Gallatin Valley Sunrise, Indigenous Environmental Network, Montana Interfaith Power and Light, Moms Clean Air Force, Montana Sierra Club, Montana Environmental Information Center, Mountain Mamas, Park County Environmental Council, People's Food Sovereignty Program, & Red Medicine LLC
Afternoon panel, Patrick Yawakie speaking. Photo by Brian Barr.
Next steps:
Follow MEIC, Northern Plains Resource Council, Montana Sierra Club, and Forward Montana for policy updates and actions this legislative session; we will pass on urgent actions as well.
Join us and serve on our NorthWestern Energy working group, our Plastics working group, or our Clean Air for Montana Kids working group, or start your own issue-focused team.
Watch for lobby day opportunities, and respond to legislative action alerts.
Join another Montana Climate organization or effort.
Another way to add your voice and build climate momentum is by talking about climate change and sharing your story. Our Montana Climate Stories project is a great way to engage, amplify climate impacts and solutions, and build community for climate action in Montana - submit your story by February 27 for a special feature and chance to receive $100 here.
Run for office and put climate front and center — and why it impacts all other issues in our state.
Support Indigenous leadership in Montana and beyond, including organizations such as
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
Despite the many challenges this movement faces (including the flurry of climate-destructive bills proposed this legislative session and NorthWestern Energy’s increasing reliance on fossil fuels), we are hopeful that Montanans can come together to ensure strong protections for our people and home. Montanans are ready and the time is now for a just transition to clean energy.
We must stay engaged and heed Anne Hedges (Policy Director of Montana Environmental Information Center) to remain united, loud, and persistent!