In our fourth episode, Shelly Fyant (Séliš), chairwoman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and lead planner Velda Shelby (Ktunaxa) dive deeper into their experiences and concerns serving their Tribal Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They share where they found strength and guidance and highlight the power of unity and supporting one another to get through uncharted waters, how strength can be found in honoring what ancestors endured, and the role of gratitude for the resources and collaboration that got their members and region through the pandemic. The strength, leadership, and encouragement these ladies bring in this episode is remarkable, and we hope this two-part episode will be cherished by listeners as a historical moment in time where a Tribal Nation creatively worked together to end a pandemic under the Big Sky. Show Notes "Whose At Risk" COVID-19 Creative Campaign: https://whosatrisk.com/ Complete playlist of CSKT COVID-19 Youth and Community Awareness & Music Campaign works on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL08xj5nNxltbM95nxNp9HEH2gwh1Rowp5 "CSKT 2020 Annual Report": https://csktribes.org/index.php/component/rsfiles/download-file/files?path=CSKT%2BAnnual%2BReports%252F2019-2020%2BAnnual%2BReport.pdf&Itemid=101 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-carter0/message

Episode 3 is an introduction to the response of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to COVID-19, in a conversation with chairwoman Shelly Fyant (Séliš) and lead planner Velda Shelby (Ktunaxa). The two women explain the philosophy and approach the confederated tribes took in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, and how it affected citizens of the CSKT. The conversation builds awareness of the exceptional severity in which the pandemic, and others historically, have brought to Indigenous people in Big Sky Country -- and how important it is to protect not only the people but lands and culture in their homelands in times of disaster. Show Notes "Whose At Risk" COVID-19 Creative Campaign: https://whosatrisk.com/ Complete playlist of CSKT COVID-19 Youth and Community Awareness & Music Campaign works on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL08xj5nNxltbM95nxNp9HEH2gwh1Rowp5 "CSKT 2020 Annual Report": https://csktribes.org/index.php/component/rsfiles/download-file/files?path=CSKT%2BAnnual%2BReports%252F2019-2020%2BAnnual%2BReport.pdf&Itemid=101 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-carter0/message

Our second episode explores the importance of upholding Indigenous ways of being, Rights, and Treaties as we look to strengthen the relationships between the citizens of Tribal Nations, states/provinces to better steward our resources. Grounded in a discussion on the homelands of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot people) this episode delves into how we prepare ourselves, the youth, and legal professionals to understand Treaties and inherent rights.  A continued conversation on land stewardship amongst Indigenous scholars and lifelong Montanans makes for a strong follow-up episode on how we take care of the land and Honor the Treaties. Show Notes: Siksikaitsitapi - Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council: https://blackfootconfederacy.ca/ Indigenous Homelands Map: https://native-land.ca/ Bridges to a New Era; A Report on the Past, Present, and Potential Future of Tribal CoManagement on Federal Public Lands: https://www.cfc.umt.edu/bolle/files/mills.nie-bridges-to-a-new-era-2020.pdf Credits: Audio Editing by Heather Martelle  Podcast Cover Art By Alden Spoonhunter --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-carter0/message

Meet your co-hosts Monti Pavatea Gilham & Christopher "C.J." Carter and welcome to Nations Under the Big Sky as we dive into season one. Welcome all Tribal Nations and Montanans, we are so glad to have you join us.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-carter0/message

Our first episode expresses and explores the importance of land-based culture and beliefs taught through storytelling and amongst each other in a place we now call Montana. A discussion of the historical and contemporary lands of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot people) and how treaties have changed a way of life, grounded in miscommunication and worldviews.  A lively conversation amongst Indigenous scholars and lifelong Montanans on the topic of land stewardship makes for a foundational and thought-provoking episode. Show Notes: Siksikaitsitapi - Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council: https://blackfootconfederacy.ca/ Indigenous Homelands Map: https://native-land.ca/ Bridges to a New Era; A Report on the Past, Present, and Potential Future of Tribal CoManagement on Federal Public Lands: https://www.cfc.umt.edu/bolle/files/mills.nie-bridges-to-a-new-era-2020.pdf Credits: Audio Editing by Heather Martelle  Podcast Cover Art By Alden Spoonhunter --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-carter0/message