Amid political shifts in Montana, Native women leaders are reclaiming civic space, shaping policy and building a more inclusive future for their communities.
This essay is part of an ongoing Gender & Democracy series, presented in partnership with Groundswell Fund and Groundswell Action Fund, highlighting the work of Groundswell partners advancing inclusive democracy. You’ll find stories, reflections and accomplishments—told in their own words—by grassroots leaders, women of color, Indigenous women, and trans and gender-expansive people supported by Groundswell. By amplifying these voices—their solutions, communities, challenges and victories—our shared goal is to show how intersectional organizing strengthens democracy.
Amid political uncertainty, Native American women in Montana are leading social justice movements and shaping public policy. Historically marginalized in policymaking, Native voices are now gaining equitable representation at the state level, driving impactful change.
In 2024, Montana had 12 Democratic Native legislators, including five women: Sen. Susan Webber, Rep. Jade Sooktis, Rep. Shelly Fyant, Sen. Jacinda Morigeau and Rep. Thedis Crowe. These leaders advocate and take action, transforming Montana’s policy landscape and inspiring future generations.
Sen. Susan Webber: Championing Tribal Sovereignty and Education
Sen. Susan Webber (Blackfeet) is a respected member of the Montana state Senate representing District 8 and has served as a minority whip in the Senate since 2019. Before her tenure in the Senate, she was a state representative for House District 16 from 2015 to 2019.
Throughout her legislative career, she has persistently advocated for Native communities. Webber focuses particularly on issues such as healthcare access for Indian Country, protecting tribal sovereignty, and expanding access to public education.
Beyond her legislative initiatives, her leadership extends to various areas of the community. She is vice chair of the Senate Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation Committee. She is also a member of the Senate Business Labor, Economic Affairs, Education and Cultural Resources, and the Public Health, Welfare, and Safety Committees.
Webber’s dedication to public service and her efforts to amplify Native voices in Montana’s legislature will be felt for generations of Native Americans in Montana.
Rep. Jade Sooktis: Elevating Indigenous Voices
Rep. Jade Sooktis (Northern Cheyenne) is a new leader committed to elevating voices and issues for her community in the public policy space. She advocates for policies that address the underrepresentation of Native communities in the policy-making process. Her leadership is grounded in her deep understanding of the unique challenges her community and Native people face in rural areas from a lifetime of living in the community she now serves.
Sooktis inspires others to step up and take leadership roles through her impactful legislative work. She has pushed for policies that better serve Native populations by improving the quality of life for rural Montana. By amplifying the Native voices of her community through advocacy, Sooktis is laying the groundwork for inclusive policies that reflect the true needs and desires of Native communities.
Rep. Shelly Fyant: Advocating for Environmental Justice and Tribal Sovereignty
Rep. Shelly Fyant is a Bitterroot Salish citizen and the former chair of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).
Even before her time in the legislature, Fyant had long advocated for environmental justice and tribal sovereignty.
In 2024, she transitioned from tribal politics to state politics, successfully running as the Democratic candidate for Montana House District 91. Fyant, alongside two other CSKT citizens, marked a historic moment in becoming the first trio from their tribe to represent Western Montana in the state legislature. As a state representative, she champions policies that uphold tribal sovereignty and keep her community safe and healthy.
Sen. Jacinda Morigeau: Bridging Healthcare and Policy Reform
Sen. Jacinda Morigeau, a Bitterroot Salish citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, has become an influential advocate for healthcare reform and policy change.
As vice chair of the All Nations Health Center and a Montana Women Vote advisory board member, Morigeau addresses the health disparities that disproportionately affect Native populations in urban areas. She has pushed for reforms in programs like Medicaid to ensure that Native communities receive equitable care.
Through her advocacy, Morigeau places Native voices at the center of political discussions, resulting in solutions that truly address the needs of Natives and their families.
Rep. Thedis Crowe: Leveraging Experience for Rural and Tribal Communities
Thedis Crowe, a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation, brings decades of experience in federal service to her political advocacy.
After a 33-year career working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Thedis retired in 2022 to return to her family’s ranching operation near Heart Butte, Mont. With a background in land resources sciences and Native American studies, she brings a unique perspective to House District 15, including the Blackfeet and Flathead Reservations, further uplifting Native voices.
Crowe has championed legislation allowing Indigenous communities to “grow their own” workforce that encourages traditional and culturally relevant practices for teachers, healthcare workers, and other professionals in Indian Country.
A Rising Force in Public Policy
The leadership of these Native leaders is a powerful reminder of the critical role Native people, especially women, play in shaping public policy at the state level. The Native leaders at the state level in Montana are not just participating in the civic and political process—they are transforming it. By advocating for issues in the communities they truly know and want to serve, they ensure that Native voices are heard and respected in policy decisions affecting their communities.
As they continue reclaiming civic spaces, these women are helping to create a more just future for Montana and future generations of Native American leaders.
