FAST BLACKFEET Board
Nonie Woolf, MPH, RDN is one of the original founders of FAST Blackfeet and has been Board Chair since 2017. She has lived in the Blackfeet community since 1988 serving as the Public Health Nutritionist and Clinical Dietitian for Indian Health Service (IHS) at the Blackfeet Community Hospital. She retired in 2010 after 30 years as a USPHS Commissioned Corp officer. Her past accomplishments include: work with IHS Blackfeet Special Diabetes Program where she helped design the Diabetes Self Care Program, workshop provision for staff and community through tribal food programs, creation of a series of Healthy Cooking for Diabetes Classes that were published and used by nutritionists in Indian country throughout the nation, and receiving the Anita Owen Nutrition Education Award from the American Dietetic Association for a Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Education tool that helped local women control blood sugars during pregnancy. When not doing FAST Blackfeet work, Nonie enjoys eating delicious meals cooked by her husband and feeling the warm heart she has whenever her kids and grandkids are all together in her home. Highlights of her week include going to the theatre to watch movies with her husband, Larry. Nonie received a BS in General Dietetics from Washington State University in 1979 and an MPH in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Hawaii – Manoa in 1980. She most enjoys the tenacity and energy of her co-workers on the board and staff at FAST Blackfeet - they are her reason for continuing to work.
FAST Blackfeet Board
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Loren Racine
Loren Racine, an enrolled Blackfeet Member, joined the Board in 2023. His upbringing steeped in Blackfoot culture and outdoor work experience fostered a deeper connection with nature and spurring an exploration of Blackfeet history in the region. Currently serving as Piikani Lodge Health Institute's (PLHI) On the Land Guide and Coordinator, Loren seamlessly integrates his cultural insights with a fervent commitment to environmental stewardship. Since 2019, he has been an active volunteer at FAST Blackfeet, embodying the spirit of community service instilled in him from a young age while learning about the blackfoot culture. Emphasizing his strong alignment with FAST's mission and values, Loren's multifaceted background and dedication to preserving culture and nature make him an invaluable asset to our organization, driving our mission forward with unwavering dedication.
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Karla Bird
the Board Co-Chair is a member of the Amskapi Piikani Nation (Blackfeet). She has graduated with a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, with an emphasis in Higher Education at the University of Montana. She also received an M.A. in Counselor Education, as well as a B.A. in Psychology with a Research Emphasis/ Minor in Native American Studies. The topic of her doctoral dissertation was on educational persistence among American Indian graduate students. This research orientation was used to view students as sources of strength and resiliency, with tools and assets that help them persist and reach success in academe. Dr. Bird has served in various assets of education and most recently has served as the President of Blackfeet Community College.
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Scott Brant
Scott is a resident of Whitefish and has worked with the Blackfeet Food Bank and Medicine Bear Shelter for the last eight years. He manages the Blackfeet Nourish Project, which makes biweekly food deliveries to Medicine Bear and the Browning Public School Backpack Program. Scott received a BA in General Business from MSU Bozeman in 1968, followed by an MS in Philosophy in 1969. In 2014, he retired from his job as a roaster and cofounder of Montana Coffee Traders after 32 years. Scott has also traveled to several coffee-growing countries around the world as a judge in coffee tasting competitions. In his free time, Scott helps his spouse with gardening for their summer flower business, is a stained glass artist, and enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains of Montana.
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Larissa Horn
Larissa Horn is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet tribe. She has her AA in Psychology from Blackfeet Community College. She has also received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Montana. Larissa has always had a dream of giving back to her community and looks forward to beginning that role with FAST Blackfeet.
In her free time she enjoys playing with her puppy and listening to podcasts!
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Heidi Deroche
Heidi DeRoche is a Public Health Program Specialist with the Montana Public Health Institute. In this role, she supports behavioral health initiatives in the Montana public health system.
Heidi was born and raised in Browning, MT on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe. Her background is in education and she has contributed to supporting and educating youth in various capacities since 2013. Prior to MTPHI Heidi worked at Heart Butte School District and the Montana Office of Public Instruction addressing mental health and substance use issues in the educational systems, Tribes and communities across Montana.
Heidi earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana – Western. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Health Administration program at Montana State University – Billings.
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Kirsten Krane
Kirsten is a Public Health Nutritionist and Public Health Consultant who was a founding member of FAST Blackfeet and has been working and living in Blackfeet Nation since 2012. She has a Master’s of Public Health and a Master’s of Science in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Kirsten has worked for WIC in Montana, served in the Peace Corps, spent several years as the Public Health Nutritionist at the Blackfeet Community Hospital and for Boston University as a Public Health Project Manager. Kirsten owns, Yarrow LLC, a public health consulting organization in Montana. Kirsten is originally from Montana and loves the winter, which looks like a lot of cross country skiing and snuggling by the fireplace with her husband, daughter, a dog, and a bright orange cat.
Past Board Members