Valley Journal, Shelly Fyant announces HD 91 candidacy

Shelly was raised on a ranch in Arlee. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Montana. Fyant lives in Arlee.

Shelly currently works as the Food Sovereignty Chair of the Arlee Community Development Corporation. She has worked at the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center as the Career Technical Training Director. She has experience with the U.S. Forest Service in the Region One Information Office and the Powell Ranger District, as well as the Clearwater National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Orofino, Idaho. 

Shelly R. Fyant served as the Chairwoman of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and was a member of the CSKT’s Tribal Council. 

Candidate website

SHELLY R FYANT

Said, "I currently work for a local non profit, the Arlee Community Development Corporation, as the Food Sovereignty Chair... which has developed into a pilot program addressing food security on the Flathead Indian Reservation."

Works to address food security at the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Addressed job opportunities, business ownership, and entrepreneurship as a Tribal Council member.

Said, "I will advocate for a fair, equitable tax classification system to fund the necessary government services."

- Works to address food security at the Flathead Indian Reservation.
- Addressed job opportunities, business ownership, and entrepreneurship as a Tribal Council member.
- Said, "I will advocate for a fair, equitable tax classification system to fund the necessary government services."

Economy

Believes Montana must protect its environment for future generations, prioritizing clean air, water, and natural habitats, and adapting to climate change through statewide collaboration and enforcement of constitutional environmental duties.

Believes Montana must take action on climate change through statewide collaboration and enforcement of constitutional environmental duties.

- Believes Montana must take action on climate change through statewide collaboration and enforcement of constitutional environmental duties.

Energy & the Environment

The candidate's website says, "Our healthcare services need to change with Montana’s changing demographics... In addition to protecting the health and safety of Montanans, we need to improve health outcomes for many... Much of this is due to lack of access to healthy food."

Believes access to healthcare services and healthy food  must be improved.

Worked to address addiction and mental health as a Tribal Council member.

Supports Medicaid expansion and abortion access.

Said, "Legislative committees could look at telemedicine opportunities available, which in turn requires adequate, accessible and affordable broadband infrastructure; public transportation options for lower-income and home-bound Montanans; and caseworker outreach services to reach... our most vulnerable children and Elders."

- Believes access to healthcare services and healthy food  must be improved.
- Worked to address addiction and mental health as a Tribal Council member.
- Supports Medicaid expansion and abortion access.
- Said, "Legislative committees could look at telemedicine opportunities available, which in turn requires adequate, accessible and affordable broadband infrastructure; public transportation options for lower-income and home-bound Montanans; and caseworker outreach services to reach... our most vulnerable children and Elders."

Healthcare

Believes in collaborative emergency response, as demonstrated by Lake County and CSKT's joint ICS Team during COVID-19, emphasizing clear communication, accountability, and resource efficiency for the safety of all residents.

Believes in collaborative emergency response.

Worked to address homelessness as a Tribal Council member.

- Believes in collaborative emergency response.
- Worked to address homelessness as a Tribal Council member.

Public Safety

Said, "I was shocked and disappointed in some of the legislation that was introduced and ultimately passed by the Republican super majority... I think the Montana Legislature can do better in fairly representing all people of the state."

- Said, "I was shocked and disappointed in some of the legislation that was introduced and ultimately passed by the Republican super majority... I think the Montana Legislature can do better in fairly representing all people of the state."

Voting & Elections

Believes in upgrading facilities in underfunded schools, ensuring safe, thriving environments, and providing adequate nutrition for vulnerable students, acknowledging the insufficiency of backpack programs in Montana.

Believes in upgrading facilities in underfunded schools and providing adequate nutrition for vulnerable students.

Worked to oversee internships and vocational training programs during her tenure with the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center.

Supports efforts to remove or increase the 3% cap on public school funding.  

- Believes in upgrading facilities in underfunded schools and providing adequate nutrition for vulnerable students.
- Worked to oversee internships and vocational training programs during her tenure with the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center.
- Supports efforts to remove or increase the 3% cap on public school funding.  

Education

LinkedIn

Twitter

Shelly R Fyant

Shelly was raised on a ranch in Arlee and attended the University of Montana, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration-Management. She resides in Arlee, Montana.

- Believes Montana must protect its environment for future generations, prioritizing clean air, water, and natural habitats, and adapting to climate change through statewide collaboration and enforcement of constitutional environmental duties.

Said, "Legislative committees could look at telemedicine opportunities available, which in turn requires adequate, accessible and affordable broadband infrastructure; public transportation options for lower-income and home-bound Montanans; and caseworker outreach services to reach those that don’t have the above, including our most vulnerable children and Elders."

- The candidate's website says, "Our healthcare services need to change with Montana’s changing demographics... In addition to protecting the health and safety of Montanans, we need to improve health outcomes for many... Much of this is due to lack of access to healthy food."
- Worked to address addiction and mental health as a Tribal Council member.
- Supports Medicaid expansion and abortion access.
- Said, "Legislative committees could look at telemedicine opportunities available, which in turn requires adequate, accessible and affordable broadband infrastructure; public transportation options for lower-income and home-bound Montanans; and caseworker outreach services to reach those that don’t have the above, including our most vulnerable children and Elders."

- Believes in collaborative emergency response, as demonstrated by Lake County and CSKT's joint ICS Team during COVID-19, emphasizing clear communication, accountability, and resource efficiency for the safety of all residents.
- Worked to address homelessness as a Tribal Council member.

Said, "Remove or increase the 3% cap on public school funding for starters."

- Believes in upgrading facilities in underfunded schools, ensuring safe, thriving environments, and providing adequate nutrition for vulnerable students, acknowledging the insufficiency of backpack programs in Montana.
- Worked to oversee internships and vocational training programs during her tenure with the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center.
- Said, "Remove or increase the 3% cap on public school funding for starters."

Shelly R Fyant was raised on a ranch in Arlee and attended the University of Montana, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration-Management. Information about her current place of residence, church attendance, or family is not provided in the background information given.

Shelly R Fyant has served as the Chairwoman of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and worked at the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center as the Career Technical Training Director. She has experience with the U.S. Forest Service in Region One Information Office and the Powell Ranger District, and at the Clearwater National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Orofino, ID. Additionally, she was involved in the creation of the Three Chiefs Cultural Center, formerly known as the People’s Center cultural center and museum.

Shelly R Fyant served as the Chairwoman of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and was a member of the CSKT’s Tribal Council. Specific durations of her terms in office, appointments, or committee memberships are not provided in the background information. There is no mention of any other political offices she may have run for in the past.

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 100 members of the Montana House of Representatives. The Montana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.