Life in the Land
Connecting People & Place in Montana
Hear perspectives from across Montana that provide global inspiration for healthy relationships between people and the land, through collaboration and leadership from local communities.
Scroll down to learn about how to utilize the films, and to view the films by location.
Trailer for the Life in the Land film series:
How to utilize the Life in the Land content:
You may screen any of the films for FREE at your public gathering, event, or in the classroom.
If you wish to show the film publicly, please fill out THIS SHORT FORM. Reach out & we can help you find the film, or film clips, that will best serve the needs of your group.
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Kick-off discussions around holistic & locally-led approaches, or topics of agriculture, conservation & environment, rural & Indigenous community development, cross-sector partnerships, alleviating polarization, civics, & more
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Workshops, meetings, or conferences
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Community groups, organizations, agencies
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Educational curriculum - request a Free Lesson Plan
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Share with your legislators
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For new residents to get a window into Montana dynamics
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Check out where the films have been shown.
Resources for Your Screening
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FREE Screening & Discussion Guide
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FREE Lesson Plan for your classroom (high school, college, or adult learning levels)
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We can co-facilitate a screening and post-film discussion with your group or community
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We offer Advocate Through Story workshops to help your group or community articulate your own story
"The Life in the Land series offers an outstanding and meaningful way to connect with stories of folks in Montana making a difference in their communities. The style of storytelling truly inspires folks to get involved and support one another. The films beautifully intertwine all points of view and perspectives, focusing on common values while recognizing the nuance of collaborative work that can be messy. These stories create connection and build community - and we need more of that in this day and age." - Wendy Weaver, Montana Freshwater Partners
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Click on a location below to view the film and podcasts from that region.
CENTRAL MONTANA PLAINS
This landscape hosts critical biodiversity & is home to hardworking communities. Hear from residents who are involved in partnerships, working to foster resiliency for rural communities & their ecosystems, in the midst of land ownership changes & increasing drought.
This critical wildlife habitat and corridor is also home to people whose lives are guided by the land. Hear from local residents and members of the neighboring Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes locally led partnerships, sustainable natural resource industry approaches, and stewardship of forested ecosystems.
THE UPPER YELLOWSTONE RIVER
The stretch of the Yellowstone River that runs through Paradise Valley supports a wealth of biodiversity and local economies driven by recreation and agriculture. This film hears perspectives underscoring that regardless of the pressure, whether it is increasing floods, droughts, or river recreation, the response is more impactful when it is guided by the river itself, and the local community members.
BLACKFEET NATION
AMSKAPI'PIIKANI
Hear unique perspectives from those
who are carrying on the holistic approaches and reciprocal relationships that have been
a part of Amskapi Piikani lifeways for thousands of years, in ways that empower their community moving into the future.
THE
BIG HOLE VALLEY
This Valley is an expanse of intact grasslands and waterways which support the wildlife, working landscapes, and rural communities. Find out how people representing a diversity of needs within a watershed are coming together to find ways for a thriving coexistence.
THE MIGHTY FEW
Historically, and still today, the Mighty Few District of the Crow Nation have proven their name through resourcefulness and strength in unity. Witness the process of this community strengthening their connection to identity, the land, & community togetherness. Through grassroots efforts, the Mighty Few are guiding action that creates necessary healing, economic opportunities, and self-determination to thrive into the future.
Testimonials
"The Life in the Land series offers a meaningful way to connect with stories of folks in Montana making a difference in their communities. The style of storytelling truly makes a difference in the way of inspiring folks to get involved and support one another to make a difference in their communities. The films beautifully intertwine all points of view and perspectives, focusing on common values while recognizing the nuance of collaborative work that can be messy. These stories create connection and build community - and we need more of that in this day and age."
- Wendy Weaver, Montana Freshwater Partners
“In this increasingly divisive and combative socio-political climate that we are in, Life in the Land shows through these stories that people of all backgrounds can come together and make effective change. It shows both historical and current collaborative work and the positive impacts that occur when people come together. It reminds us that no matter what happens on the political stage, we are all integrated into these ecosystems together.”
- Rebecca Ramsey, Swan Valley Connections
Regarding a public screening of The Big Hole Valley episode: “That event brought together a really diverse group of people who understood the importance of the story being told - about collaboration and the conservation work that we do. We had business owners, ranchers and fishing guides, and environmentalists. It’s rare that you have an event where you couldn’t predict who was going to show up because the story was so appealing to such a wide spectrum of people. And it's reflective of the film itself to have such a diverse audience. ”
- Pedro Marques, Big Hole Watershed Committee
Referencing the use of Life in the Land in the classroom: "Rather than hearing from me as the instructor, I want my students to hear directly from the people living in the land – that is far more powerful. Although I like to take tours to rural Montana, I can only do so many myself. The LITL films are an excellent alternative to actually getting out there and meeting people and experiencing the landscape."
- Beth Madden, who leads a course on bridging the rural/urban divides at MSU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
"“Really breathtaking and inspiring work here, and I appreciate that it's widely accessible and applicable to a wide range of community-led initiatives.”
- Montana resident
"I felt such Piikani pride watching the Blackfeet Nation film and so incredibly grateful to have connected with all of these wonderful people not only from home, but from across the state that have done such amazing work & shared their inspiration, passion, and love for land and community. Also with the Big Hole film, it really resonated how empowering and amazing community can be when we work together and step up to solve our own problems within our communities and on the land."
- Kristen Kipp, featured in Blackfeet Nation episode
"[This project] has the potential to change the mindset of Americans to recognize their responsibilities in promoting the enhancement of a working landscape through supporting and recognizing those of us that are stewarding their precious land for its and society's sake. It gives solace to those of us who have developed a land ethic based on what nature has taught us and the strength to embrace our responsibility as nature's and society's caretakers."
- Jim Hagenbarth, Big Hole Valley rancher
"The films themselves create a celebration for people who have been in on these efforts for many years, to see their stories reflected in a clear, compelling narrative. Expanding the outreach, screenings, and workshops is important for advancing the work that is featured as well as inspiring this approach elsewhere. Everywhere, we are hearing the drumbeat of people needing to tell their story. This is a really authentic answer to that call. It inspires others to think, 'I'd like to create a story like that in my community', where we can pull people together and create a community guided response to our own challenges."
- Bill Milton, rancher & community facilitator, Roundup, MT