FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2023
Montana Trails, Recreation, and Park Association (MTRPA), is an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). We are on a mission to help Montana preserve and utilize our parks, trails, and recreation resources across the state while supporting the growth of our professional industry behind the scenes of these beloved areas and programs. In an effort to include, increase and prioritize the presence of indigenous organizations and agencies in our Association, we are inviting Tribes and indigenous land managers throughout Montana to join the MTRPA.
The MTRPA Board has been asked to create an Indigenous Lands Manager Member position and membership tier for indigenous members. Further, a land acknowledgement was proposed, and is currently being crafted, to include on the MTRPA website, offices, and other visible materials. At MTRPA 2022 Annual Conference, the Board officially voted to open a Indigenous Lands Manager member position. It is our hope that fulfilling this position will generate advice from indigenous land managers which is needed in our Association in order to support Trails, Recreation, and Parks across the traditional land of the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, Gros Ventre, Assiniboine, Chippewa, Cree, Blackfeet, Salish, Kootenai, Pend d’Oreille, and Little Shell Chippewa, also known as the state of Montana.
We are seeking nominations for our new Indigenous Lands Manager position. The nominated individuals will be asked to provide advisory support and recommendations for implementation of the Association’s vision, goals, strategic work program, awards program implementation, new officer training, legislative activity, by-law adherence and review, and other interests as determined by the Association and Executive Board in relation to indigenous lands, non-indigenous lands, and all other general MTRPA business.
Currently, we are searching for advice about a Tribal Membership tier that could be at a lower cost than other membership tiers. Would you or your organization/agency be interested in working with us on this endeavor? Your participation could strengthen our acknowledgements and allyship across parks, recreation, trails, natural resources, and conservation departments within Montana.
To inquire, send a letter of interest to contact@mtrpa.info.
Please let us know if you have any questions about joining us.
