Spotlight Facilitator: Tara Bird

Tara Bird, age 52, is a dedicated advocate for families and community wellness with a profound connection to her heritage as a member of the Crow Tribe in Montana. She is of the Piegan clan and a child of the “Greasy Mouth”, bringing a deep cultural perspective to her professional and personal life. Married for 34 years, Tara is a devoted mother of three and a proud grandmother of three, finding her greatest inspiration in the strength and continuity of her own family.

Tara Bird

Tara has been a vital part of the Hardin School District for seven years, beginning her journey in 2019 as a Family Advocate. Her commitment to bridge the gap between schools and the community led to her promotion to Family Engagement Coordinator in 2022. In this role, she leverages her extensive training as a facilitator in the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association (NAFFA) programs, specifically Fatherhood is Sacred, and Motherhood is Sacred.

With a focus on holistic community healing, Tara is also an active facilitator in Suicide Prevention© at the Lame Deer School district, teaching the parents in a weekly class as well as in Addressing Family Violence and Abuse©, Suicide Prevention©, and Linking Generations by Strengthening Relationships©.  Her work is rooted in the belief that by empowering parents and fostering healthy family dynamics, we create a more resilient future for the next generation.

The impact of the NAFFA curriculum within the Hardin and Crow tribe community has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants consistently share how deeply they relate to the curriculum and how meaningful the teachings are in their personal lives, families, and communities.

One participant from the city of Hardin was so moved by the effectiveness of the classes that they expressed a desire to introduce the curriculum to city leadership as a valuable resource for the broader community. Tara has also become a strong advocate for the programs and plans to promote NAFFA’s curriculum among Crow tribal members, particularly within social service and judicial departments where healing, accountability, and family strengthening are greatly needed. Her wish is to teach the programs full time because of the profound impact she has witnessed and her deep belief in the value of the NAFFA curriculum.