SigMT

SIGNATURE MONTANA | 89 S MT Born and raised in Montana, Colter Pedersen enjoys the idea of the outdoors from the comfort of the indoors. Almost handsome and just shy of charming, his know-it-all attitude has tested the patience of many. But in a fun way. e organization focuses heavily on system change, finding ways to work with outside sources while maintaining Native perspectives. "It's all about conformity and having the finance industry conform to the way we work on reservations rather than us conforming to mainstream banking systems," explains Main. Her staff, deeply embedded within their communities, have a profound understanding of local needs. " We work with our people," Main remarks, emphasizing the importance of personal interactions. "Native Americans like to interact face to face, so that's what we do, a lot of face-to-face training, face-to-face counseling." Cobell, who passed away in 2011, was a passionate advocate for Native artists. Continuing her legacy, the NACDC offers artist lines of credit and personal development opportunities. While their support for the arts constitutes a smaller portion of their activities, the NACDC's involvement in events like e Great Western Art Show is significant. By securing booth space for both established and emerging artists, they make a substantial impact on the livelihoods of those they support. Sammy Bird, a Blackfoot artist from Cut Bank, benefied from a NACDC business grant a few years ago, enabling her to pursue art as a full-time career. "It helped a lot," Sammy recalls. "It helped me get a website, get inventory, get supplies, it helped me make a lile studio." She adds, "When the money comes back in, then it's good, but it's just geing it going, geing that ball rolling. at is what it did for me, and kind of created a snowball effect." e NACDC assisted Sammy in developing a business plan and identifying her target audience. ey also facilitated connections with other Native artists, fostering a supportive network aimed at elevating each member's success. "I want my art to inspire and motivate people, especially with my story being a woman, growing up and still living on the reservation, trying to break the mold," she expresses. Edmond Albert, a member of the Lile Shell tribe, and his wife Sonja, who is of Comanche descent from Texas, have worked with the NACDC both as Native artists and participants in the housing program. "We really love Angie Main and the people at NACDC," Sonja shares. "ey enabled us as first-time home buyers to purchase our home. We remodeled the lower floor and created a studio." Edmond, a prominent figure in the art scene since the mid-1980s, continues to be a major draw. "I am a self-taught artist," he explains. "I have been painting for 30-plus years, practicing my cra." Both Edmond and Sonja held a place of distinction at the Great Western Art Show, where they value the personal connections that the show provides. "e people get to come, and we get to interact with them," Sonja notes. "We can visit with them, and they can ask about the work. ey can study the lines and find out the story."

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