The Road Ahead: Cultivating the future through connection and persistence

2025 Annual Meeting
November 7-8, 2025
The Pub Station
2502 1st Ave N, Billings

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Jon Tester
Farmer and former U.S. Senator

We’re incredibly excited for farmer and former U.S. Senator Jon Tester to be our keynote speaker this year! After serving on the Big Sandy School Board for a decade, Jon Tester spent years fighting for working Montanans both in the halls of Helena and in Washington, D.C. — all while maintaining the family farm. Today, Jon still runs the family farm, is the co-host of the Grounded podcast, and is a policy analyst for MSNBC. He leaves an enduring legacy at the U.S. Senate and a lengthy list of policy accomplishments. He backed a bipartisan law that raised the federal minimum wage and a package of Wall Street reforms and consumer protections known as Dodd-Frank, wrote numerous laws aimed at helping veterans, sponsored legislation that aimed to create mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling for beef and pork, helped negotiate and pass the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act, and cast a deciding vote for the Inflation Reduction Act (to name a few!).

SESSIONS

Building a Bigger We: A Vision for the Next Five Years of Power Building

A lot has changed in the last five years and it’s an understatement to say the stakes are high right now. Guided by our North Star mission and values, Northern Plains remains committed to growing our base and building power to enact meaningful change across the state. Learn about Northern Plains’ vision for the next era of community organizing to build the future we want for Montana.

Critical Minerals, Responsible Futures; Lessons Learned from the Good Neighbor Agreement

Over 25 years ago, the groundbreaking partnership between Northern Plains Resource Council, Stillwater Protective Association, Cottonwood Resource Council, and Stillwater Mining Company was forged to protect our rivers and rural communities, while balancing the need for responsible mineral development. In a time of growing urgency and demand for critical minerals, the Good Neighbor Agreement stands as a powerful example for what community organizing, collaboration, and trust can accomplish together.

This session will reflect upon the evolving landscape of critical mineral development in the US, where the complexities of technology, politics, environmental stewardship, and community power intersect. Members of the Good Neighbor Agreement will speak to the lessons learned from their years working on the agreement, highlighting how they navigate challenges and achieve success through a uniquely collaborative approach to mineral development in their communities.

Join us as we explore the evolution of responsible mining, the importance of community-driven solutions, and the power of trust in protecting the places we call home.

Connecting Corporate Power to Community Health

Protecting and organizing for the health of our communities is always front of mind for Northern Plains. As data center developers look to the lands of Montana for their next big project, it’s important that we are clear-eyed about the effects this development will have on our resources and on the health of our Montana communities – which as we know, are so often connected.

SCHEDULE

Friday, November 7

10:00 am Registration Opens
10:30 am Community Organizing Training
12:00 pm Registration and Social Time
1:00 pm Meeting of the Membership
4:30 pm BREAK
5:30 pm Prairie Spread now at the Pub Station!
6:30 pm Evening Activities

Social Hours & Entertainment

Join us on Friday night following the Meeting of the Membership for the beloved Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council’s Prairie Spread at the Pub Station. Friday night fun (staff skit included!) to follow. More information coming soon!

Saturday, November 8

8:30 am Registration Opens

9:00 am Opening Remarks

9:15 am Critical Minerals, Responsible Futures;
Lessons Learned from the Good Neighbor Agreement

10:15 am BREAK

10:30 am Talks at the Watering Hole (community conversations)

11:00 am Building a Bigger We:
A Vision for the Next Five Years of Power Building

12:00 pm Lunch, Keynote – Jon Tester, and Awards

2:00 pm BREAK

2:30 pm Connecting Corporate Power to Community Health

4:00 pm Northern Plains Legacy Flash Talk

4:15 pm Social Hour

5:30 pm Dinner and Fun

Events in bold will be available over Zoom. Members attending virtually are encouraged to participate in discussion and vote during Friday’s Meeting of the Membership, however Saturday’s sessions will be live-stream only. Schedule subject to change.

Thursday, 6: GNA Film Screening

Join members of Northern Plains Resource Council for a special screening of UNEARTH – a powerful documentary highlighting the controversial permitting and development of the Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. The film highlights the influence of local leadership and community organizing in the face of natural resource extraction.

“The Strickland brothers skillfully balance natural beauty, commercial fishing, native community, mining history, road tripping, spy vs. spy suspense – all wrapped into an honest story about the impacts of mining in the western US. There are no easy answers. A must see.” – Jerry Iverson

Venue: ArtHouse in Billings

Date: Thursday November 6

Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Cost: Free

AUCTIONS

We are excited for our Annual Meeting Auction to be held both in-person and online again this year! The in-person silent auction will run over the two days of the Annual Meeting, November 7-8. The online auction will begin on Tuesday, November 4 and end on Tuesday, November 11.

Our auction plays a key role in the success of the Annual Meeting and in strengthening Northern Plains work for the year ahead. Do you have an item, activity, or vacation experience you’d like to donate to our auction? If so, please contact Effy at (406) 248-1154 or effy@northernplains.org.

Click the button below to download a form detailing your online auction item donation (and thank you)!

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Best Western Plus Clocktower Inn

The Best Western Plus Clocktower Inn has set aside a limited number of rooms at a discounted price of $119 a night. This includes complimentary breakfast at Stella’s Bakery & Diner and on-site parking. The deadline to reserve under the Northern Plains room block is October 23, and this hotel is across the street from the Pub Station. Call (406) 259-5511 to book your room (ask for the Northern Plains Annual Meeting Block rate) at the Clocktower Inn today!

PARKING

Complimentary parking is available for hotel guests at the Clocktower Inn, across the street from The Pub Station. Limited street parking is available near the venue or at the Park II Garage just down the street.

DEADLINES

October 31: Nominations due for Bob Tully and Mary Donohoe awards. Contact Caleb at (406) 248-1154 or caleb@northernplains.org

November 6: Election ballots must be received at the Northern Plains’ office by this date, in-person or by mail.
Online registration deadline for in-person attendees. After this date, you can register for in-person attendance on November 7 and 8 at the event.

November 8: Online registration for virtual attendees closes on Saturday, November 8 at noon.

MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

Northern Plains remains committed to the health and safety of our community during flu and cold season. We recommend all in-person attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza if they are able to do so. We will abide by CDC safety recommendations and have masks available. Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness.