Our favorite gathering of fellowship, fun, and learning is right around the corner, and we’re bringing you movers and shakers from across Montana and beyond to help us commemorate the occasion! Join us at Northern Plains’ 52nd Annual Meeting: From Our Roots, to the Future.
From the day we were founded, Northern Plains has championed deep rooted values of courage, equity, and stewardship. Like Montana’s history, our values and our rich story of grassroots power set us apart. This year, we will explore how to channel that power into tackling the problems we collectively face today.
From transforming our energy economy and food system, to creating more resilient communities in oil and gas country, Northern Plains is building the next generation of grassroots leaders to become agents of change. Join us as we carry lessons of perseverance and people power forward to create a sustainable future for generations of Montanans to come.
This year, we’ll be in a brand new location at The Pub Station in Billings. We’re excited to come together in a locally owned and operated space that builds community and cultivates creativity.
The two-day event allows us to reconnect with old friends, meet new, likeminded individuals, and learn about all the great work that’s happening across the state. We’ll learn more about transforming our energy systems, oil and gas bonding and reclamation, the history of Montana Indian Education for All, and keeping our farmers and ranchers on the land through agricultural succession. We will also be offering a virtual streaming option via Zoom to allow anyone to learn from our speakers and panelists, no matter where they live. Plus, we’ll have plenty of entertainment, opportunities for connection, and a great auction with one-of-a-kind Montana-made goods, local art, getaways, and more. We hope to see you there!
Northern Plains’ 52nd Annual Meeting
November 10-11
The Pub Station
2502 1st Ave N, Billings
Keynote Speaker
John Boyd is back for another year!
John Boyd is a prominent defender of civil rights and president of the National Black Farmers Association. A fourth generation farmer, John founded the NBFA in 1995 after experiencing the US Department of Agriculture’s discriminatory practices firsthand and learning other Black farmers faced similar discrimination. Now, the NBFA advocates for Black farmers’ rights across America. Boyd is a past nominee for the NAACP’s highest honor, the Springarn Award, and formerly served as an agricultural advisor for the state of Virginia.
Schedule
Friday, November 10th
12:00 PM
Registration opens
1:00 PM
Meeting of the Membership
4:30 PM
BREAK
6:30 PM
Staff Skit
7:00 PM
Social time at the Pub Station
10:00 PM
Last call
Saturday, November 11th
9:00 AM
Registration opens
9:30 AM
Opening remarks
9:45 AM
Session 1: Oil and Soil: How stronger protections and innovative reclamation can create resilient communities in Montana’s oil and gas country
10:45 AM
BREAK
11:00 AM
Session 2: Keeping Our Farmers and Ranchers on the Land
12:00 PM
Lunch and awards
1:15 PM
Keynote: John Boyd
2:00 PM
BREAK
2:15 PM
Session 3: History of Montana Indian Education for All
3:30 PM
BREAK
3:45 PM
Session 4: Transforming Montana Communities Back to the Future
5:00 PM
Mary Fitzpatrick on Planned Giving
5:15 PM
BREAK
6:00 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.
Oil and Soil: How stronger protections and innovative reclamation can create resilient communities in Montana’s oil and gas country
Speakers:
Sterling Grogan, ecologist and consultant
Jill Morrison, former Powder River Basin community organizer
Montana has an abandoned oil and gas well problem. This session will explore needed reforms to the oil and gas industry, highlighting how financial protections and fair reclamation can safeguard communities after oil booms invariably go bust. We will learn more about industry oversight in Montana before examining the innovative soil health practices that can be implemented to clean up well sites, restore land back to health and help maintain our right to a clean and healthful environment.
Keeping our Farmers and Ranchers on the Land
Speaker:
Jordan Treakle, National Programs and Policy Coordinator at National Family Farm Coalition
This session will identify and share a successful succession story in Montana, as well as identify the challenges and barriers to succession. This includes highlighting broader structural forces that prevent succession of farming and ranching operations from being profitable for future generations, specifically corporate concentration in the agriculture sector.
The History of the Montana Indian Education for All
Panelists:
Denise Juneau, Montana attorney, educator, and politician
Ta’jin Perez, Totonac Indigenous; Deputy Director of Western Native Voice
Hal Schmid, Northern Plains member involved in our DEI work
Jordann Lankford-Forster, A’aniiih and Anishinaabe; educator and an IEFA instructional coach for Great Falls Public Schools
Steve Doherty, Northern Plains member and original bill sponsor for Montana Indian Education for All
A moderated panel will explore the history of Montana Indian Education for All and educate our membership around this program, its history, and its importance. Specifically, this panel will highlight the way in which the Montana Constitution recognizes the “distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians, and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity”, the story of how this important commitment was woven into the Constitution at the 1972 Convention, and the organizing movement that led to the Montana Legislature enacting the Indian Education for All Act (IEFA) in 1999.
Transforming Montana Communities Back to the Future
Speaker:
Ed Gulick, Northern Plains member, licensed architect, and LEED Accredited Professional at High Plains Architects
Drawing on his experience with energy-efficient building design, community design for walkability, and city budgets, Billings City Councilmember Ed Gulick will demonstrate how many current threats to our communities have common solutions that are more cost-effective for both individuals and local governments, build community relationships and identity, improve human and environmental health, and are a hybrid of past living patterns combined with new technologies.
This year, we are excited for our Annual Meeting Auction to be held both in-person and online! We have great items donated from across Montana including local arts and crafts, memory-making trips, and special packages from Montana makers and small businesses. You’re not going to want to miss the chance to win any of these amazing items and experiences! Many items were generously donated or even handmade by members of Northern Plains (thank you!). The auction is a great opportunity to take home a memorable treasure for you or a loved one. Be sure to use some of your break time to check out all the unique items and experiences we have to offer this year!
Our auction plays a key role in strengthening Northern Plains work for the year ahead. Whether you’re a donator or a bidder (or both!), we appreciate all your help in making it a success!
If you have any questions about the auction, please contact Karen at (406) 248-1154, or email karen@northernplains.org.
Bidding on in-person items will close Saturday night, November 11. Online bidding will end Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 PM.
Place your bid in the online auction here!
Join us on Friday night following the Meeting of the Membership at Billings First Church (310 N 27th St) for the beloved Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council (YVCC) Cowboy Supper! Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. The ever-popular Staff Skit will also take place at the Cowboy Supper! Following these festivities, you will have the choice to join us for a casual evening social back at The Pub Station, ending at 10 pm.
We are also excited to be bringing back the much loved game, Heads and Tails on Saturday night! At our closing dinner, everyone will have the opportunity to join in on the fun and the chance to win big! Don’t miss out!
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.
NOTE: If you aren’t planning to stay at the Clocktower Inn, remember to bring change or download the PayByPhone parking app for street parking.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
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Northern Plains remains committed to the health and safety of our community in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend all in-person attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they are able to do so. We will abide by CDC safety recommendations and have masks available. Please stay home if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID.