Montana Conversations: Connecting to Land Through an Indigenous Lens with Lailani Upham

Date: Monday, April 7th
Time: 5:45 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Missoula Public Library, Cooper Room B on the 4th floor
Cost: FREE and open to the public, but please register! $10 suggested donation*

In participation with Humanities Montana, the Montana Natural History Center is excited to host the Montana Conversations program “Connecting to Land Through an Indigenous Lens” with Lailani Upham.

Indigenous stories offer a unique way to understand the power of the natural world and our human connections to it. Through discussion about indigenous peoples’ ways of life, value systems, tribal languages, and stories created long before Montana was established in 1889, participants learn about a personal, soulful relationship to our natural world. Participants also better understand how these elements sustain our identity through history and in modern times. How can our tribal stories and ways of knowing elevate others in their understanding of identity? Participants walk away with a fresh look at who they are and appreciation for the landscape from time immemorial. Audience members ponder responsibility and stewardship to the earth through a tribal lens and discuss ways to act for future generations and our natural world relations.

This event includes a screening of the film Amskapi Piikani — Blackfeet Nation, part of the Life in the Land series. 

Amskapi Piikani [People of the Blackfeet Nation] have interacted with every element of this landscape, across much of what is today known as Montana, since time immemorial. This area of Northwest Montana, home to the Blackfeet Nation, stands the mountains which Piikani refer to as the “backbone of the world”. Hear unique perspectives from Amskapi Piikani as they carry on the holistic approaches and reciprocal relationships that have always been a part of their culture and traditions, in ways that empower their community as they move into the future.

This film was Produced by Lara Tomov with Stories For Action and Co-Produced by Lailani Upham of Iron Shield Creative.

About Lailani Upham: Lailani Upham is an Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet Nation) tribal member, and a descendent from the Aaniiih, Nakoda, and Dakota tribes. She is journalist, educator and business developer in indigenous stories and culture.

Please note that this program is NOT at MNHC! We'll be gathering at the Missoula Public Library, in Cooper Room B on the 4th floor.

*Update 4.3.2025: Today, it was announced that Humanities Montana has lost their federal funding. We are very sorry to share this news, which means important programs like Montana Conversations are no longer supported by their grants and resources. MNHC was able to offer this program for free to the public, because of our partnership with Humanities Montana. Because of the generosity of our community members, we are still able to offer this event. In order to subsidize the costs of this program, we are asking for a suggested $10 donation. Thank you!