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| Hopa Mountain, Inc., is a 501(c)3 organization that supports community leaders, young people, and adults, in realizing their hopes and dreams for their hometowns. |
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The New AppalachiaSome areas in the Northern Rockies and Great Plains are being called "The New Appalachia" because poverty and related social and environmental problems persist. Hopa Mountain supports rural and tribal community leaders in these areas as they address community-identified concerns. Working primarily in the areas of literacy, science education, ecological and human health, and nonprofit development, this collaborative effort will ultimately lead to more vibrant and sustainable local economies, increased protection of the environment and local cultural traditions, and enhanced health and well-being of citizens in the Northwest's rural and tribal areas. Who are Natural Community Leaders?Community leaders are members of the community to whom others naturally turn for help. Different terms have been used to describe these individuals, including local community leaders, involved citizens, and active community volunteers. There is a growing recognition of the importance of community leaders in underserved communities, including ethnic and racial minority groups, which have been historically marginalized from institutionalized education, leadership, and cultural, environmental, and health care systems.Because community leaders personally know their neighbors, share and understand local values, beliefs, social norms, language, ethnic characteristics, and community resources, they can provide more meaningful services and more effectively promote new ideas that foster positive social change than outside professionals can. Hopa Mountain recognizes the critical role local leaders play in nurturing healthy, vibrant communities. They are the focus of our work as we endeavor to promote the assets of rural living and strengthen the relationships between these communities and larger non-local organizations. It is through community-centered, creative partnerships that together we can create significant educational and economic opportunities, and promote ecological and cultural well-being in rural and tribal communities across the Northwest. What is Social Capital and why is it important?In his book Making Democracy Work (1993), Robert Putnam describes social capital as those features of social organization–networks, norms of reciprocity, and trust–which facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit. Cornelia and Jan Flora have explored the importance of social capital in rural communities in the United States. The Floras argue that in addition to money and physical infrastructure, the nature of social relations should be recognized as a form of capital which is essential to healthy, effectively functioning communities. Their work demonstrates that communities with higher levels of social capital are more effective in addressing internal problems and external constraints. What is the connection between Community Leaders and Social Capital?Community leaders are a particularly concentrated and potent form of social capital. With sufficient resources, they are rural and tribal communities' most efficient and effective agents of positive change. Hopa Mountain seeks to provide the resources and support local leaders need to promote community health and well-being to build community wealth. | |
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A year ago, I could not have imagined that I would be dedicating the first edition of the Hopa e-newsletter to the memory of Tom Blackweasel ("Sikapiohkitopiwa" - grey horse rider) of Browning, Montana. Last summer, Tom was active and engaged, as he had been for many years, with youth programs on the Blackfeet Reservation. He embodied what a natural community leader is, devoting his time in retirement to improving the lives of others. He cared about what was best for his community and his efforts to achieve that transcended local politics.