Deb Mattern
Deb Mattern, winner of the 1998 Mrs. Montana Pageant, said she agreed to enter the contest because she thought it would provide an opportunity to raise awareness of breast cancer. Twenty years ago, Mattern was the picture of health: a runner, a mountain biker, a kayaker and a skier who also happened to take up fly fishing. But her healthy lifestyle was jeopardized when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996. Treatment included surgery to remove her right breast, radiation, powerful chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. After being named Mrs. Montana, Mattern was able to share her message with a national audience in the Mrs. America contest. Her outfit for the pageant included a gold lame fishing vest and a tiny fishing reel. In the 19 years since her diagnosis, Mattern has been so thankful for her recovery that she has devoted countless hours to helping a number of charities. She volunteers with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life in
Cancer survivor has a passion for volunteerism
addition to other charities. As a lobbyist for the American Cancer Action Network, she has encouraged state and federal lawmakers to support cancer research. She’s also proud to have been involved in efforts to ban smoking in restaurants and other indoor areas. Science has confirmed that secondhand smoke can be deadly. Not only did the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act protect customers from cancer-causing substances, it also protected wait staff, bartenders and other employees, she said. “You can throw rocks at us, but (the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act) was a feather in our cap,” Mattern said. “I’m a cancer survivor and I pay attention to these things.” One of Mattern’s favorite charities is People Everywhere are Kind and Sharing, an auxiliary of the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation. PEAKS raises money for cancer patients who are facing financial hardship.
She also volunteers for Casting for Recover, a nonprofit that provides flyfishing trips for breast cancer patients. Casting for Recovery’s big fundraiser is the Pink Pookie Gala, which is named after a pink pookie, a fly pattern that’s tied to resemble a hopper. Mattern was a frequent volunteer when local animal advocates worked to adopt out dogs that were seized from a dog breeding operation in 2008. “I love doing all the things I do,” Mattern said. “I love community events and fundraisers. I try to support a lot of fundraisers.” Each day, Mattern begins the day with the following prayer: “Dear Lord, thank you for keeping our circle in your good graces just enough to bless us with another beautiful day.” Family and friends have been most influential in her life. “ I have a very big circle with which I’m blessed,” she said.
Photo by CASEY PAGE
Deb Mattern
Glenda McCarthy
Educator works to blend Native American culture into curriculum
If you went to public schools at any time during the 20th century, you probably learned about the Founding Fathers, read about the Civil War and studied the westward expansion of white settlers. These days, students in Billings public schools are just as likely to learn about native people who populated the Americas thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. Glenda McCarthy, Indian Education instructional coach for Billings School District 2, works with high school teachers to implement Indian Education for All. The groundbreaking state law, which went into effect in 2006, requires school districts to provide “culturally appropriate and accurate information to all students in Montana, both Indian and non-Indian.” McCarthy said she interacts mostly with English and social studies teachers who are working to improve the diversity of information presented in the curriculum. “The purpose is so every kid in the room is going to see their story represented, and it’s not just a story of white people blazing trails,” McCarthy said. “There will also be stories of American Indian people and Montana tribes in particular. We have been working with some wonderful teachers to get help with that.” But the effort also spills over to other subject areas. For example, math teachers have devel18
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oped trigonometry-related exercises exploring the geometry of medicine wheels. Even physical education teachers have inquired about traditional Native American games that can be incorporated into PE classes, she said. “The idea is that there is a seamless infusion of Native American culture into curriculum. It just flows in,” McCarthy said. McCarthy looked for an opportunity to work in Native American education ever since she moved to Billings from her native Australia in 2008. “I went looking for it because I had such a great experience working with aboriginal students in Australia,” McCarthy said. “I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work with Indian education.” Alice Springs has a climate that’s similar to Arizona’s, which means no snowfall. But it’s similar to Montana in ways that are important. The area is “rich in the cultures of indigenous people.” In Alice Springs, she had an opportunity to work with aboriginal students living in an urban setting, a situation that’s similar to what she’s doing in Billings. McCarthy said her job is based on building relationships. “The teachers want to do well for all their kids, and the families want an education for their children.” The nearby Crow and Northern Cheyenne
Photo by CASEY PAGE
Glenda McCarthy
reservations have provided a wealth of knowledge about history and other subjects such as ethnobotany (the study of the relationships of people and plants,) art and literature. Contemporary Native American perspectives will also
be included in curriculum, she said. “I’m learning about those things and will be learning about them for the rest of my life,” McCarthy said. “It’s great for kids in classrooms, and the non-Native kids are also interested in these stories. And the Native kids are realizing that the curriculum is honoring their history and their families and their culture as well.” She is also working on her doctorate in education from Montana State University. McCarthy said she’s riding a wave created by leaders such as Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, educators and tribal elders who have created resources for classrooms. “I’m linking willing teachers with cultural presenters and the curriculum is written,” McCarthy said. “Everyone’s perspective is important, which is not to say that Hispanic or African American perspectives and families aren’t important.” She enjoys the openness of Billings people. “Billings is a place where people look you in the eye and are interested in you and what you do,” she said. “There’s that Big Sky mentality of open mindedness in a lot of people. That’s not to say they don’t ruffle feathers or clash with people, but by and large my experience is that there are great people who want to do good things and are willing to work together.” Billingsbusiness