Community heroes honored
Safe Harbor honors heroes during National Domestic Awareness Month
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No matter what challenges arise, every community has its share of heroes who are able to help everyone get through the crisis. Each October, as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SAFE Harbor honors these heroes, based on nominations from across the Flathead Reservation and Lake County. The individuals and agencies selected represent the highest level of community service and commitment to others. In a year of unexpected and shifting obstacles, they were there to help everyone move forward. The 2021 honorees who were recognized through a virtual ceremony last month included: Sandra Boham, Ellie Bundy, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department, Fresh Life Church, the Lake County Health Department, Brandi Ries, and Joan Sharp.
Leaders come in every form. Some are more dramatic. Others are quiet. Once in a while, a leader combines the best qualities of intelligence, awareness, vision, and action. When that happens, one might not always know about that leader. They do not seek the limelight or applause. They do their work. They surround themselves with good people who are qualified and capable. They trust their team. They support their team. They let their team shine. President Sandra Boham of Salish Kootenai College is one of those people. She is a leader who lets her leadership evolve with those in her community. In 2020, the American Indian College Fund named Boham, its Tribal College and University Honoree of the Year for her outstanding contributions to American Indian higher education. Around her own back yard, people might not be aware of her work-and that is just fine with her. Over the last year, the college supported the efforts in the community to assist with testing, vaccinations and education. The college became the partner that everyone needed to help in a world where social distancing was key and space was a premium. Over the year, Boham led the college in promoting a safe space, while still offering services and did it in a way that helped reduce the spread of COVID. With hundreds of students out in the community, coming in contact with others and their own families, this was a pivotal step. The president has also supported initiatives with community health, health education, health prevention and violence support services to address the emerging needs of students and their families. Her work, her hopes, and her call to action have helped to make the world better for all people.
Over the last few years, Ellie Bundy has been a force for good in support of victims of violence. Stepping on to the statewide stage, she has given her time, expertise and professional resources to help improve the dynamics around victim reporting, victim support, and system response to family members of victims. Through her efforts, the state has developed new initiatives, set in place long term systemic changes, and brought together a group of representatives to help guide future actions for Missing and Murdered Indigenous people in Montana. As part of this groundbreaking commitment, Bundy was selected to serve as the Chair for the MMIP State Task Force. Her work as a leader for this movement has been impressive, valuable and remarkable. As a model for other communities, the group has moved forward in building new partnerships, supporting policy changes, connecting law enforcement from across jurisdictions and enhancing the overall response and reporting time for those who go missing. Within her own community, Bundy has also led the charge, helping facilitate educational events and reaching out to local youth. This last year she brought together a group of high school students from the Flathead Reservation for a statewide panel in Helena. Those watching the youth walked away with a new perspective on the challenges, as well as admiration for the outstanding presentation. All of this is in addition to her work as a Tribal Council member for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe. Bundy is passionate about her work and helping survivors find a better future.
Steady, focused, consistent and most of all-determined. Over the last year, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department had to continually respond to new protocols, public demands, professional standards, and ethical considerations that changed all the time. Rumors and misinformation came to the forefront in many areas throughout the pandemic. This led to people making demands, supply shortages and limits on access to services. From early on, Tribal Health was a leader in helping to educate the community about the science behind the infection, creating access to testing, and partnering with other agencies to have a more strategic approach that made the best use of resources, time and personnel. With their range of testing sites, mobile options in different communities, and full-scale events in various towns, Tribal Health presented a grounded approach that was calming and needed. Once the vaccine was available, they worked to break down barriers, so that those who wished to get the shot could do it – wherever, whenever, and whoever. They opened the door to these services to all in the community – promoting access and saying “we are in this together.” And that was just one part of the story. Of course, their team was on the front line, assisting thousands of clients in a strange new world, where technology and social distancing and masks were woven into the everyday fabric of providing healthcare. Tribal Health stepped up and did all they could to make safety a top priority for everyone.
Over the years, SAFE Harbor has had amazing support from groups of all types. Whether with volunteers, raising funds, distributing materials, attending an event or connecting others to services, the assistance of so many has truly helped SAEF Harbor achieve ongoing success. One of those community friends, the Fresh Life Church, has shown year after year to be a partner who combines all of these important tools to benefit SAFE Harbor and the clients it serves. They provide volunteers. They participate in activities. They share their resources. Through it all, they show compassion, understanding, and commitment. When there is a need, Fresh Life is willing to step forward and offer a hand. Most recently members of Fresh Life helped with the creation of SAFE Harbor’s new transitional living space. They are a generous group, making a positive impact for all.
Imagine having a full-time job. And getting another one added to it. And another one and another and another and another. Over the last year, in the midst of one of the most challenging times in modern history, the Lake County Health Department never blinked. At least not in public. They went about their business, ensuring people had access to the services they needed, while also carrying out a brand new regiment of tasks. Tasks they didn’t ask for. Tasks no one really wants to do. Tasks that helped all of us in the community have a better quality of life. Every day. Every day. Every day. The Lake County Health Department are real life heroes. From way back in 2020, through today, they have continued to serve their constituents while also trying to ensure safety. Think about having to call hundreds of strangers to inform them they have been exposed to COVID. Consider interacting with people who are fearful and afraid and angry, day after day after day after day. Now think about the fact that this job wasn’t yours only 18 months ago. The staff at the Lake County Health Department are a committed, innovative, educated, experienced, and caring team who has never questioned their new job or their duties. They have gone about their business with great professionalism and a positive attitude-no matter how dark the day may have been. Every day. Every day. Every day, the actions they take helps us, even if we don’t know. The heart they have shown for all of us, is inspiring.
With confidence and intelligence this honoree helps victims find new beginnings. Over her 15 years in the field, Brandi Ries has established herself as one of the leading attorneys in Montana dealing with domestic violence, stalking, dating violence and sexual assault. She has been a contributor to the Montana Lawyer Magazine, was the 2014 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year with the Missoula Family Violence Council, the Montana Board of Crime Control’s 2016 Innovative Community Improvement Award recipient, served as Co-Chair of the Justice Initiatives Committee of the State Bar of Montana and has been an adjunct professor at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana since 2015, teaching domestic violence theory and legal practices. Ries really does set the bar high in any courtroom. She has her own firm in Missoula, covering family law, orders of protection, estates, and probate. For over nine years, she has also served as a managing attorney, supporting violence service providers in northwest Montana, including SAFE Harbor. Her skill in the courtroom, her knowledge of the law, her connections across the state, and her willingness to act as a mentor for others, puts Ries at the head of the class. She cares deeply about every client and through her advocacy, guidance, and direct intervention, hundreds of victims of violence are leading a better life.
All teams have those solid players who are consistent, on-point, knowledgeable, and able to adapt to whatever might happen next. Joan Sharp, an advocate for SAFE Harbor who is based at the shelter, is one of those types of players. No matter how intense a day might be, Sharp is always cool, calm, and ready to serve the clients. She is a caring individual who brings years of experience to the job, offering a victim-centered approach. In the last year, as with so many others, SAFE Harbor had to make modifications, set-up new protocols, and continually adjust to ensure client and staff safety. With a shelter and communal living, this is not an easy task in the middle of a pandemic. Sharp kept it all together and went the extra distance to help clients find safety and a new path for their life.
