regiser Native American turnout

Group Looks to Get Out Native American Vote in Montana

With two months left before Election Day, one group is encouraging Montana’s Native American population to register to vote. The social justice group Western Native Voice is organizing for the upcoming election, often traveling long distances across the Treasure State. … Continued

Homegrown Prosperity Lisa Harmon

Northern Plains Hosts Conference on Homegrown Prosperity

What is homegrown prosperity? On September 10, I had the opportunity to participate in a conversation about how we can build stronger local economies, and would like to share with you some of the most promising solutions. The Homegrown Prosperity … Continued

2016 election

Shaping the debate in the 2016 election season

Here is a list of questions on some key issues of concern to WORC and the member groups that you can ask candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives this 2016 election season. Citizens have many opportunities to … Continued

Trans-Pacific Partnership farm groups fair trade

Presidential candidates on the Trans-Pacific Partnership

President Barack Obama is pushing to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal before he leaves office. But most the 2016 presidential candidates oppose it. WORC opposes the TPP because it does not meet WORC’s Trade Bill of Rights, which calls … Continued

self-bonding Arch Coal coal royalty loophole

Arch Coal Commits to Replace Risky Self-Bonds

Amid turbulent times for a coal industry in long-term decline, who cleans up the leftover coal mines? Over $3 billion in mine cleanup costs are promised through “self-bonds,” mostly in Wyoming. Today brought good news that another coal major, Arch … Continued

Native vote, civic engagement

Native vote work drives Western Native Voice in August

As election day approaches, the Western Native Voice staff has worked hard to ensure that the voices in Native American communities throughout Montana resound. Getting the Native vote out has become our biggest priority. We hit the ground running in … Continued

Lummi totem pole to visit Standing Rock Sioux Tribe protest

WORC supports Standing Rock Sioux Tribe protest

Chair of WORC Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks released the following statement today supporting the ongoing protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe: “The Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) supports the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to … Continued

Reform federal coal leasing nonprofits do during election season

What can nonprofits do during election season?

Election years are great opportunities for our nonprofit groups to elevate issue campaigns and get candidates to discuss their public policy platforms. Our members and supporters look to WORC and the member organizations to focus attention on important concerns and … Continued

self-bonding Arch Coal coal royalty loophole

Groups release statement on new self-bonding policy

On August 9, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (“OSMRE”) published a Policy Advisory that directs state regulatory agencies to restrict the use and approval of self-bonding. The Policy Advisory outlines three policy suggestions for states to … Continued