Our Mission
Sleeping Giant Citizens Council advocates for healthy, inviting, and sustainable communities by educating, mobilizing, and testifying to ensure citizens’ voices are heard in the decision-making process.
Current Campaigns
Passenger Rail
SGCC is working to get the Lewis and Clark County Commissioners to sign onto the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA), the entity that was formed in 2020 to support the restoration of Passenger Rail through southern Montana. Lewis and Clark is one of the only counties that has not yet signed on, putting Helena and the surrounding area at a disadvantage in the planning process for the railway. Members are working to educate the public and help convince the County Commissioners that the railway would be a worthwhile investment for the community. For more information on BSPRA, click here.
C-PACE
Members are working on getting C-PACE passed in Lewis and Clark and Jefferson Counties (it has already been passed in Broadwater), which requires a vote from the County Commissioners. This effort includes outreach to local businesses to spread awareness about the program.
Learn more about C-PACE.
Issues We Work On
Local Food
Sleeping Giant has a long history of local food action, and has most recently created an informal local food space for folks to gather, create community, and talk about local food issues and solutions. The group has met a few times to share a meal and has many ideas for outreach, including film screenings and partnerships.
Clean Energy
Our pas clean energy efforts have included bringing more solar to our communities through a Solarize campaign, and efforts to install more energy efficient lighting in local buildings. We are currently pursuing a C-PACE outreach campaign, and taking an interest in holding Northwestern Energy accountable for refusing to pursue more clean energy infrastructure.
Community Design
SGCC members are interested in building healthy, well designed communities and have recently taken up the campaign to help bring the Amtrak passenger train back through Helena, increase tourism, and reduce road traffic. A member spoke at our 2022 Annual Meeting about zoning laws in Helena Valley and how to think about zoning in terms of community change.
History and Accomplishments
- Seven years hosting the Annual Sun Run in partnership with the Vigilante Runners, raising money to solarize local community buildings.
- Ten residential homes outfitted with solar panels in 2021 through the Solarize campaign.
- Hosted multiple Wild and Scenic Film Festivals.
- Hosted forums opposing the Tongue River Railroad and supporting Passenger Rail.
- Hosted a Helena Chef’s Expo to showcase local food during the Montana Local Food Challenge.
Leadership
Chair
Hugh Zackheim
Vice-Chair
Joel Harris
Secretary
Marianne Schomaker
Treasurer
Paul Jacquay
Northern Plains Board Representatives
Katherine Appling-Freistadt
Mic Smith
Community Organizer
Emily Auld
emily@northernplains.org
