Shawn and daughter Alexia White Wolf
Taken at the Montana Club,
Helena, Montana
Hello
The White Wolf family is deeply rooted in this community. My grandfather, a Southern Cheyenne, arrived in Helena in the 1920s. My mother grew up in the Catholic community. I have spent the majority of my life in Helena, and my daughter, Alexia, was born and raised here.
My Experience
For more than 30 years, I have worked to strengthen Helena through volunteer service, journalism, and public safety advocacy. There are very few streets in Helena that do not bear my handprint.
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I was the first American Indian to serve as a full-time staff writer in the local mainstream press, and only the second in the state of Montana. I attended the Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University, where I was mentored by John Seigenthaler, a legendary editor of The Tennessean and one of the most influential voices for justice in the South. After graduation, I returned to Helena and immediately began my work as a reporter at the Independent Record.
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My first published story was only four sentences long, but by 8 AM, the Governor's office, tribal leaders, and state officials were calling. I quickly learned that in this community, words matter, and even small actions can strike a nerve.
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One of my proudest areas of service has been my volunteer work with local, county, and federal law enforcement. Growing up, many American Indians—including those in my own family—feared law enforcement, often for good reason. The relationship was strained, and trust was scarce. Through years of volunteer service, I have worked to bridge that divide and build mutual understanding. It has been one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences of my life.
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Over the past decade, I have passionately advocated for more substantial funding for law enforcement and fire protection. Recently, I joined others in studying and advocating for a local levy to enhance public safety resources. That levy failed. But the need has not gone away. Helena's population has tripled in recent decades, while public safety staffing has not kept pace. We must find new, more innovative ways to fund our police officers and firefighters. This is one of my top priorities.
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I am running for the Helena City Commission with decades of experience, deep roots in this community, and a commitment to putting Helena first. We have a beautiful, clean, and unique city, but we also face significant challenges today and in the years to come. I believe my background in journalism, my work bridging cultural divides, and my lifelong dedication to public service make me uniquely qualified to represent you on the Commission.