WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN:
A NEW CLUBHOUSE FOR THE FLATHEAD NATION
The Flathead Nation site of Friends of the Children – Western Montana has a new home in Ronan, Montana. The clubhouse is in a 14,000 square-foot space on Main Street, centrally located on the 2,000 square-mile Flathead Reservation. Its renovation will be completed in early 2027.
“We have so much hope for our new home,” says Nicole Callahan, Program Director of the Flathead Nation site and National Network Tribal Program Director. “One of our mentors said it well, that many of the children in our program don’t have a strong sense of stability or a continuum of safety because of the many transitions in their lives. But this clubhouse will become that space for these youth—a place they can take pride in, and ownership of, for years to come.”
The building has a long history as a pharmacy, electronics store, mechanic shop, and more. But now the structure is the clubhouse – a home for the Flathead Nation site, which began serving Indigenous youth in 2023 in partnership with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The clubhouse will immerse youth in their culture, including two planned murals by local Indigenous artist Aspen Decker, featuring local flora and fauna connected to the tribes.
The purchase of the space was made possible in part by a large gift from the Tykeson Family Foundation. The funder has long supported rural and Tribal sites in the Friends of the Children network with investments totaling more than $3.75M across five locations in Montana and Oregon.
“As someone who calls Montana home, I am inspired by the important work of Friends of the Children. Across Western Montana, Friends weaves together community, culture, and a deep belief in the potential of every child,” says Amy Tykeson. “By building partnerships in rural and Tribal communities, the Friends of the Children network—together with local leaders and elders—supports youth and families for lasting change.”
For the Western Montana site, alone, the Tykeson Family Foundation has provided $1.7M in support. This includes not only contributing to a matching capital campaign for the clubhouse, but also in seed funding for the chapter, and supporting cultural programming for youth that centers on Indigenous culture and sustainability.
An example of the culturally-specific programming provided by the Flathead Nation took place this past spring, as youth and caregivers participated in a multi-day event connected to traditional food of their Indigenous ancestors. Dozens came together to learn how to identify, collect, and cook bitterroot, which is the state flower of Montana. The group learned how bitterroot sustained their ancestors in colder months, and then they created their own traditional diggers with hard wood and antlers through the direction of community knowledge keeper Jordan Stasso. Later, the group went out with Kootenai elders, harvesting and cleaning the plants.
“The kids loved it. And it was so special to be connected to the land and traditions in this community way,” says Nicole. “And everyone took at least a bite.”
Some youth ate the bitterroot raw, just after digging, and found it to be… no surprise… quite bitter!
“The kids were so surprised by how it tasted later when it was boiled with huckleberry,” says Nicole, laughing. “It became easier to eat, and a taste of their ancestors’ culture.”