Montana Folklife

Diane embarked on her journey into engraving in 1986, around the same time her husband, Bob, delved into crafting bits and spurs. Together, they started Sweetwater Silver. In those early days, skilled hand engravers were scarce, and when Diane finally located a potential mentor, the individual was unwilling to impart …

Eva Boyd is a keeper–and a teacher–of the Salish language and some of the oldest and rarest cultural arts of the Selis and Qlispe people. She comes from a family and an upbringing rich in the cultural knowledge and traditions of the Selis and Ql̓ispe people. Born in Worley, Idaho, …

Glenn Brackett, a renowned fly-rod maker and devoted fisherman, traces his passion for angling back to his formative years spent fishing with his father and grandfather. He would often visit the Winston Rod Company during his youth, first around eight years old with his grandfather. As his father’s woodworking business …

Interested in smithing from the time he was a teen, Glenn Goldthwait began his dream of a rural, self-sustaining life in 1977. It was then that he built three hand-hewn cabins and found that the traditional ironwork needed for hinges and latches was not available. He purchased an anvil, a …

Marc Brogger, a fifth-generation Western horseman, has built over 900 saddles since the start of his career in 1981. He is well respected in the Western community for his intricate leather work and flower stamping, bringing his skills to creating ornately hand-tooled saddles which bridge art and utility. On the …

The first loom Maude sat down to was threaded to an overshot draft. As a beginner, she let her foot travel across the treadles and watched amazed as the sheds opened and closed – the yarn from the shuttle floating over and under – and a marvelous wavy fabric growing …

Over the course of his 45-year career in crafting Western and working boots and shoes, Mike Ryan has meticulously crafted over 5,000 pairs of custom boots for clients spanning from Montana to the broader Western region. Growing up outside Brusett, Montana, Mike developed an interest in boot and shoemaking, inspired …

Olivia “Rose” Williamson, owner and operator of Lady Pompadour Beadwork and Design, has garnered widespread recognition within the Apsáalooke community and across the Northern Plains. Renowned for her expertise in traditional beadwork, Rose is affectionately referred to by friend Carrie Moran McCleary as a “certified bead florist,” further stating that …

Terry Hill, a fourth-generation Montanan, spent 29 years as a game warden for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks before retiring in 2007. Come 2009, Terry discovered his love for segmented woodturning through a course taught by Rich Charlson, a previous MCAM honoree, who he studied under for …

Tom Dean, a completely self-taught artist, discovered his passion for woodwork at the age of 45, beginning his experimentation in 2005. Guided by what he refers to as his God-given talent, Tom transitioned to full-time artist status in 2008 and began producing his artwork under the name of Milo Creek …

Presenter: Interviews on Stage – Sunday Born and raised on her family’s Montana ranch where the Great Plains rise up to meet the Rocky Mountains, Dr. Edrienne (Cindy) Kittredge has lived and worked across the US before finding her way home. Kittredge studied at the College of William and Mary, …

Presenter: Interviews on Stage – Saturday Mike has been involved in numerous field work, projects and folk festivals across the West and in the southern Appalachians, documenting traditional music, cultural and occupational traditions. He worked for the Smithsonian Institution’s  Folklife Program as well as on projects of the American Folklife …

By Rayelynn Brandl Montana’s iconic landscapes are shaped by the waterways that course through her mountains, valleys, and plains.  Water has determined where the people live, the movement of goods and resources, and has provided for all human needs including food, shelter, clothing, and eventually commerce.  Beginning with our Native …

Tom Mocilac is a genuine old fart, retired from state service, and has worked as a National Park Ranger in Yellowstone National Park. He started fly fishing in 1969 and started tying flies in 1973. He is a member of Trout Unlimited and Fly Fishers International.  He ties about 2-3 …

Wetland ecosystems are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. They support native plants and animals and provide services such as flood control and water purification. Unfortunately, wetlands are also some of the most threatened ecosystems. Born from a love of Montana’s natural spaces, Montana Wetlands, and Waterfowl …

Our mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat, and our hunting heritage. We provide funding for Permanent Land Protection and Land Conservation, Habitat Stewardship, and Enhancement, Research for wildlife management, and Hunting Heritage Projects. Our Vision is to be the best membership-based conservation organization and …

The Resilient Butte Project and Families for a Livable Climate bring personal stories about climate change to the forefront. All Montana families need a livable climate and thriving environment to ensure a bright and secure future. We also need good jobs, healthcare, and equitable access to education and other opportunities. …

The mission of the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program is to expand environmental literacy and stewardship through field-based science and research experiences. We exist because the planet needs sustainable communities that value resilient ecosystems. Through our work in the nation’s largest Superfund site, we have served thousands of students, educating …

The Contributions of Immigrants to the Heritage and Traditions of Montana and the West By Aubrey Jaap, Director, Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives From the anonymous saying: “If you are more fortunate than others, it is better to build a longer table than a taller fence.” Long before the first Euro-American …