Montana Cross-Community Reconciliation Project
Building empathy. Bridging divide. Healing together.
Our Mission
In an effort to reduce racial discrimination and increase empathy and understanding, it is our responsibility to work to build bridges, strengthen friendships and mutual respect, and build confidence in our diverse communities.
About Us
The Montana CCR Project is a grassroots initiative dedicated to healing historical divisions and building trust between racially diverse communities across Montana.
Launched in 2019 by Global Peace Foundation, the project promotes mutual understanding, cultural respect, and collaborative action to address the deep-rooted social and racial divisions that have shaped Montana's past and present. Drawing inspiration from successful reconciliation models used in divided societies around the world, the CCR project creates safe spaces for dialogue, empathy-building, and friendship across cultural lines.
Through community events, storytelling, and peace education, we work together to acknowledge painful histories, celebrate cultural richness, and build a more unified future. Our approach is community-driven, inclusive, and long-term—because true reconciliation is not a one-time event, but an ongoing journey of relationship, respect, and restoration.
Your donation supports grassroots efforts to reduce racial discrimination, foster empathy, and create real, lasting understanding between people of all backgrounds.
Voices of CCR
“The more we’re able to on both sides, native and non-native, to be able to sit down and just kind of educate each other, then from there, those two can go educate their family. And then that family can educate their neighborhood. And that neighborhood can educate their community.”
—Josiah Hugs (Apsaalooke nation)
“You know my accent tells people I am from someplace else. Yet, when we speak with each other and listen, we could say we are from the same place, a home and family. We are not that much different, and this is what I have been learning here.” —Yuliya Johnson (Ukraine and Montana)
“It’s really good to learn, you know, educate yourself behind the scenes about our history and culture. But it’s so much more powerful when you’re with people because you see them face to face. And you get to know them and their quirks and what they care about. And it brings a lot more energy together, and you can really get to know someone.”
—Morgan Miller (Montana)
“I want to make the community better, not just for myself but for my own children. When I walk down the street, I want to say hello to you and you to me. We are not so different from each other and need to treat each other with respect and love… like we are doing here in this project.”
—JC Beaumont (Apsaalooke/Nakoda nation)
“I work with a lot of kids at our Boys and Girls Club. I want them to grow up in a city where we respect all colors, all races, all cultures. I am invested in this project because I see that we can make a difference. This project gives me a lot of hope.”
—Tracy Star (Montana)
“I know my color is different from many here. Yet, I feel welcomed here in this room. I know each of us are of various shades of color. I know we can learn and experience that we are all of one family.”
—Isaac Olungura (Uganda and Montana)