“Partnership isn’t about what you bring; it’s about what we build together.”
In the vast, snow-draped landscapes of southeastern Montana, the heartbeat of collaboration and diversity echoed brightly on January 8, 2025. The LIFTT outreach and community engagement team embarked on a transformative journey to the Northern Cheyenne Nation, carrying with them a vision of shared growth and empowerment. This wasn’t merely a meeting; it was a moment where worlds intersected, stories intertwined, and futures were imagined together.
At the center of this story are two remarkable Northern Cheyenne tribal members, Terri Bixby and Barry Bement. Both embody the strength of their heritage and the dynamic contributions that enrich LIFTT’s mission. They are more than employees—they are bridges, connecting the values of their community to the purpose of independent living. Their presence at LIFTT serves as a reminder of the strength found in diversity, a strength that fuels innovation and unity.
The meeting with the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council began with an introduction steeped in tradition and mutual respect. Barry Bement, with his characteristic warmth and confidence, welcomed the LIFTT team to the council, setting the stage for an engaging dialogue. Jen Hawkinson, a regional manager and passionate advocate for independent living, stepped forward to share the breadth of LIFTT’s core services. She spoke not just of programs but of possibilities—the Diabetes Prevention Program, the ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program, and the many pathways to empowerment that LIFTT offers.
Terri Bixby then took the floor, her voice carrying the weight of lived experience and the hope of shared purpose. She shared her journey at LIFTT, painting a vivid picture of what it means to witness transformation daily. Her words resonated deeply, weaving together her pride in her heritage and her belief in the power of independence. Her testimony was not just a recounting of events; it was an invitation to the council to envision what could be achieved together.
Then, LIFTT’s Executive Director Carlos Ramalho stood before the council with a vision that stretched beyond programs and services. He spoke of partnership—not as a transaction but as a mutual journey. “LIFTT is eager to walk alongside the Cheyenne Nation,” he said, “to embrace the transformation represented by the opportunities we can create together.” His words were an acknowledgment of the strength within the Cheyenne Nation and an appeal to join forces for a future where barriers dissolve and potential is realized.
The team reflected on the day’s events and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council for their warm welcome and openness to collaboration. Special thanks were extended to President Gene Little and Vice-President Ernest Little Mouth, and the other elected tribal leaders for their leadership and commitment to their community. Their guidance and vision played a pivotal role in fostering this promising partnership.
This visit was more than a meeting. It was a spark—a moment of connection where the values of the Northern Cheyenne Nation met the mission of LIFTT. As the team departed that day, there was a shared sense of hope, an understanding that this partnership held the promise of something extraordinary.
In the words of a Northern Cheyenne elder who attended the meeting, “Partnership isn’t about what you bring; it’s about what we build together.” And so, as January’s frost gives way to spring’s renewal, LIFTT and the Northern Cheyenne Nation stand poised to build something remarkable—together.
LIFTT team members recently had the honor of meeting with the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council in Lame Deer. Front from left: Wyatt Bixby, Pam Ramirez, Jennifer Hawkinson. Back from left: Terri Bixby, Carlos Ramahlo, Barry Bement
About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit LIFTT.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.
