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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: After years of legislative debate, today marks the first time the state of Montana - home to 12 tribes and 7 reservations - has officially observed Indigenous Peoples' Day as a legal holiday.

For the first time, Montana officially celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

After years of legislative debate, Oct. 13 marks the first time the state has officially observed the day as a legal holiday.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · 8d

It was my pleasure to join tribal housing experts on Native America Calling this morning. We spoke about the causes and consequences of Indian Country's housing crisis and heard from a listener about their experience.

open.spotify.com/episode/0xyq...

Monday, October 6, 2025 – Tribal housing advocates work against a tide of obstacles

open.spotify.com

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · 12d

Blackfeet Community College President Brad Hall's path to homeownership wasn't easy, but his experience offers insight into what’s possible when adequate housing is available to reservation residents.

Part 3 of The Shelter Gap series out today. montanafreepress.org/2025/10/03/h...

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · 12d

Thanks Dan!!

Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · 14d

The housing crisis in Indian Country is defined by demand that far outpaces chronically short housing supplies. With demand high, and plenty of land, why can’t developers build new housing to close the gap?

Part 2 of The Shelter Gap answers that question. montanafreepress.org/2025/10/01/t...

The development conundrum: Why is housing so hard to build in Indian Country?

Why is housing so hard to build in Indian Country?

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · 16d

I've spent more than a year investigating housing insecurity in tribal communities across Montana. Part 1 of our series, The Shelter Gap, explains how the housing shortage thwarts the development of a middle class on reservations, perpetuating cycles of poverty. montanafreepress.org/2025/09/29/h...

No roads home: How a chronic housing shortage keeps reservation communities in crisis.

Part 1 of a three-part series examining barriers to buying, renting and building homes on reservation land and highlighting the community benefits of secure housing.

montanafreepress.org

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Reposted by Nora Mabie

Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · Sep 10

UPDATE: Results released just after midnight Wednesday show both bonds passing, each by only a few hundred votes.

Helena voters narrowly approve $283M school bonds

Results released just after midnight Wednesday show both bonds passing, each by only a few hundred votes.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Sep 5

Scoop: The state health department’s highest-ranking official focused on American Indian health is resigning from her position. Stephanie Iron Shooter said "recent events" led to her resignation, according to an email obtained by MTFP.

High-ranking tribal official resigns from state health department, cites ‘recent events’ as reason in an email

Stephanie Iron Shooter’s tenure at the state Department of Public Health and Human Services was mired in controversy, as she repeatedly fielded concerns from tribal leaders about the agency.

montanafreepress.org

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Reposted by Nora Mabie

Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · Sep 2

While the city’s ‘housing sprint’ was a success, officials say the closure of the 165-bed facility will strain Missoula’s remaining shelter, especially as the weather cools.

Missoula’s Johnson Street homeless shelter closes

While the city’s ‘housing sprint’ was a success, officials say the closure of the 165-bed facility will strain Missoula’s remaining shelter, especially as the weather cools.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Jul 31

Although Native Americans are exempted from many of the new state and federal requirements, representatives from tribal governments and Urban Indian Organizations raised red flags about the risks of increased bureaucracy.

‘More questions than answers’: Tribal representatives caution state health officials against plan for Medicaid work requirements

The state’s draft plan comes months ahead of the federal timeline laid out by the Trump administration’s domestic policy bill. Tribal representatives urged Montana officials to slow down.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Jul 23

IndigiPalooza, a 2-day event in Missoula, MT, brings together more than a dozen Native artists, musicians and writers for panel discussions, live music, an art market and more.

New ‘IndigiPalooza’ event to celebrate Native art, storytelling

IndigiPalooza brings together more than a dozen Native artists, musicians, writers and creators for panel discussions, live music, an art market and more.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Jul 7

‘Our doors would have to close’: Tribal college leaders in Montana say Trump’s proposed cuts threaten their institutions and would harm the state's economy. #mtnews #mtpol

‘Our doors would have to close’: Trump’s proposed cuts threaten tribal colleges

The threat of federal cuts is already impacting students and staff.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Jun 25

The group of tribal plaintiffs argue that changes to Election Day voter registration laws disproportionately harm Native Americans in rural and tribal communities who already face significant barriers to voting.

Tribes move to join lawsuit challenging Montana election laws

“It’s racism to try and enact the same laws over again,” said Fort Belknap Indian Community President Jeffrey Stiffarm.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Jun 25

Montana's state budget includes several new investments for Indian Country — a historic increase in funding for tribal colleges and $367,000 to support repatriation efforts at UM.

State budget includes new investments in tribal colleges, repatriation

The state’s budget includes a historic increase in funding for tribal colleges and appropriates more than $367,000 to a team at the University of Montana dedicated to repatriating cultural items to tr...

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Jun 19

Facing darkness head-on is the guiding principle of a new semester-long class at two schools on the Blackfeet Reservation. #mtnews

Using (very) heavy metal to prevent suicide and process grief

A new class on the Blackfeet Reservation helps students engage with art to cope with distress and make meaning from pain.

montanafreepress.org

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Reposted by Nora Mabie

Grant Marek @grantmarek.bsky.social · Jun 11

The Aiuppa family was told their daughter had 2,000% more lead in her bones than an average child. She began breaking bones in 2022 & hasn’t stopped. She’s had a broken finger, forearm and a tibial spiral fracture in her leg — twice.

via @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social
www.sfgate.com/national-par...

'Biggest regret of our lives': Kids allegedly lead poisoned in Yellowstone

Yellowstone let a family live in lead-contaminated housing, a new lawsuit alleges.

www.sfgate.com

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · Jun 3

Tribal leaders say the funding cuts disrupt critical healing processes for boarding school survivors, families and tribes, and keep the general public from learning the truth about what happened at these schools.

‘Slap in the face’: Trump cuts halt Indian boarding school digitization effort

Tribal leaders say the funding cuts have serious implications for boarding school survivors, their families and the general public.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 30

Rep. Thedis Crowe, a freshman lawmaker from Browning, at a May town hall event said the caucus “became a force to be reckoned with.”

Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 30

NEW: Members of Montana’s American Indian Caucus say the 2025 legislative session may have been the group’s most successful yet.

The caucus successfully advanced legislation establishing Indigenous Peoples Day, extending child welfare protections, bolstering state efforts to combat #MMIP and more.

Montana’s American Indian Caucus touts historic success in 2025 legislative session

Members of Montana’s American Indian Caucus say the 2025 legislative session may have been the group’s most successful yet. Rep. Thedis Crowe, a freshman legislator from Browning, said the group “beca...

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 29

Native Americans in Montana are four times more likely to be reported missing than their counterparts. Several new laws aim to address the crisis. #mmip #mmiw #mtnews

New laws address Montana’s missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis

Native Americans in Montana are four times more likely to be reported missing than their counterparts. Several new laws aim to address the crisis. The new laws aim to bolster the state’s Missing and M...

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 15

A new law professionalizes doula care in Montana. Supporters believe it will expand access to maternal care and improve health outcomes, particularly in rural and tribal communities. montanafreepress.org/2025/05/14/g... #mtnews #mtpol

Governor signs new law professionalizing doula care

Supporters say the new law will expand access to maternal care in Montana, particularly in rural and tribal communities.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 9

Breaking: After a decade-long fight, the state of Montana — home to 12 tribes and 7 reservations — will now recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. #mtnews

At long last, Montana to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day

After a decade-long fight, the state of Montana will now recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday in October.

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 6

Though the state constitution mandates a commitment in K-12 public education to recognize the “distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians," court documents allege schools were misusing funds meant to support that effort.

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 6

BREAKING: A group of Montana students, families and tribes recently reached a settlement agreement with the Montana Board of Public Education — a major development in a years-long class action lawsuit regarding the implementation of Indian Education for All. #mtnews #mtpol

Under settlement, Montana Board of Public Ed vows to improve how state teaches Native American history and culture

A group of Montana students, families and tribes reached a settlement agreement with the Montana Board of Public Education — a major development in a years-long class action lawsuit regarding the impl...

montanafreepress.org

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Nora Mabie @noramabie.bsky.social · May 5

May 5 is a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. As groups lead marches, panels, protests and other events nationwide, a Blackfeet father demands justice in his daughter’s case. #mmip #mmiw #mmiwg2s

On MMIP day of awareness, Blackfeet father demands justice

Jadie Butterfly is one of thousands of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered each year, a crisis so prevalent it has its own acronym, MMIP.

montanafreepress.org

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