Investing in the Public Good

Has always been a source of pride

Boozhoo, indinawemaaganidog! Aaniin! That is to say hello, all of my relatives! Welcome to another edition of An Irritable Métis. I’ve got a lot to cover in a short amount of time, so this introduction is going to be unprecedentedly brief.¹ And with that….

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Of Particular Last Minute Interest to Bozeman Area Readers

This is happening TONIGHT!² my friends. I hope anyone who sees this on time can make it!

I want to bring attention to the “Sponsored By” section of this flyer. This was originally going to be a Humanities Montana sponsored event, yet all of these organizations rallied together to make it happen. This is what I’m talking about! It’s thrilling when a community comes together, isn’t it?

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Donations and Mutual Aid

Friends, the response to my recent newsletter on the grant cancellations at Humanities Montana – across the country, really – has been overwhelmingly positive. I shouldn’t be surprised by the generosity of this community and yet I consistently am; I am so incredibly grateful. Additionally many of you, both in the comments section of that post as well as responding to me directly, have requested more direct access to keeping me on the road, and that teeters me on the brink of verklemptedness. I’ve given it a lot of thought and I’ve come to this conclusion: it isn’t just about me. If you want to support me directly, the best way to do so is by becoming a paid subscriber. Truly. Here is the button for that:

I’m doing a pretty good job working with folks to keep everything I am doing cooking along, but not everyone can say that. So if you are truly interested in contributing beyond an Irritable Subscription, and potentially assist others doing similar work, here are a couple other options.

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Métis Heritage Keepers Festival

First, please consider donating to the Métis Heritage Festival. This is happening in Choteau, Montana, June 6th and 7th. The highlight of this festival is how it showcases the Métis community that existed in the Teton Canyon just west of town and, particularly, a direct descendent of those people, my friend Al Wiseman. Al earned an entire chapter in Becoming Little Shell, and you can read an excerpt from that chapter HERE courtesy of the Montana Free Press.

I’ve been involved for several years now and this year much of the fundraising is happening through my friends at Chickadee Community Services. Your donation not only helps pay for performers³ but also rental on the space, providing food, etc. Please consider a donation HERE. Just select “Métis Heritage Festival” from the dropdown menu. Additionally, you could donate to IndigiPalooza as well/or instead of. Both are incredibly important and your kindness will reach many more people.

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Donate to Humanities Directly

Next, the following is from an email I received late last week from my homies at Humanities:

Supporters are asking how to help Humanities Montana at this time. Encourage your supporters to make a gift today, to help Humanities Montana immediately. Gifts can be made through our secure website, or mailed to Humanities Montana, 311 Brantly Hall, Missoula, MT 59812.

Please join us in protecting the arts, culture, and humanities in our state and country by contacting Montana’s US Senators and Representatives, talk to your friends about why humanities matter to you, donate to our work, or find creative ways to protect and support cultural programming. Investing in the public good, our communities, and our neighbors has always been a source of pride for Montanans. We remain hopeful that this tradition will hold.

Donating directly to Humanities won’t just help me – and it will – it will also keep the organization afloat until we sink these other dirty so-and-sos and get back to the critical bidness as usual. HERE again is the link for Montana. And if you are in another state, I’m sure there is a Humanities more local to you who could use the help.

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My hands-down favorite coffee spot in Bozeman, where I began my day this morning….

Friends, I had more to say but I’ve run out of time⁴, as I’m due to run across town and spend the rest of the day on campus at Montana State University. Tomorrow I’m at a local high school, then I blast home to teach my class at the University of Montana. Wednesday morning I drive to Superior to spend the day with high schoolers, then rush home for an event in Missoula that evening (see below). Thursday I drive all the way up to Havre for more high schoolers, then it’s back to the middle of the state for an event in Virginia City on Saturday (also, see below). It’s a lot. It’s also awesome.

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Alas, *sigh*, Wednesday Evening in Missoula

For making it less untenable for hassling you to consider coming out to endure more of my blathering in Missoula, I’ve invited my friend Sapphire Jetty to join me and play a few Métis tunes on her magical fiddle, and she said yes. This will make things much more special….

More info HERE.

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… and Saturday in Virginia City!

The description of the flyer is a little confusing because I think this was booked as a “poet laureate” event so who knows what’s going to happen. All I know is I was invited to do an event in this space a year or two ago and it was wonderful. If you’re in the area, come join us!

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Miigwech as always for your time, attention and, particularly lately, your deep generosity. This is how we win, friends….

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1. Don’t get accustomed to it.

2. April 21st, that is

3. Critically, helping pay their expenses to get to Choteau!

4. I didn’t even proofread so I hope this isn’t a mess