State of Montana Newsroom
Montana Hope and Realization Initiative Earns National Award
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has been honored with the prestigious William J. Harris Equal Opportunity Award for its Office of Tribal Liaison Hope and Realization Initiative. The award was presented at the 2026 National Association of State Workforce Agencies Winter Policy Forum, recognizing excellence and innovation in advancing equal opportunity.
The Montana Hope and Realization Initiative is a tribally centered effort that strengthens workforce access through Tribal Workforce Roundtables, tribally hosted job expos, youth-focused think tank sessions and the Workforce Warriors Initiative. These efforts have engaged more than 550 tribal job seekers, elevated youth perspectives from all seven reservations in the state and expanded awareness of tribal workforce success across Montana.
To discuss this national recognition and the impact of the initiative, Tribal Liaison Donnie Wetzel and Tribal Youth and Young Adult Coordinator Alicia Doney will be available for phone interviews. For additional information, read the full NASWA press release.