Who We Are

Waking Giant is a home for people committed to showing up for our community. Inspired by Helena’s Sleeping Giant landmark, our name reflects our promise to rise up and meet our neighbors’ needs, wherever and whatever they may be.

Our Story

Waking Giant began on a freezing February evening in 2025, when a few dozen like-minded Helenans gathered at a local brewery, convinced the future would demand a new level of solidarity. That night, as we shared our frustrations and fears, we agreed that our isolation had led us to believe that all was lost and that we were alone. But as we looked around the room, we realized that this was a lie. We were never alone, and if we can keep hold of this truth and stick together, hope can rise and carry us forward. We remain committed to sharing the feelings of solidarity and collective power we found that night.

Our Work

Our work is guided by three principles: building alliances, defending democracy, and practicing empathy.

In service of these goals, we have fully committed ourselves to mutual aid and collective action. We have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes and with Helena Food Share to provide meals. We helped found the Prickly Pear Housing Alliance to advocate for fair housing rights, and our members work hard to connect neighbors with legal advice, raise funds for those in crisis at home and abroad, and donate infant supplies to local organizations. We coordinate with Montana for Palestine to educate the public about the genocide in Gaza, and we’ve created a community library of must-read texts. While we are not a partisan political organization, we have built relationships with our elected officials and press for real action when our community needs us to do so, and we frequently provide first aid, water, and food at public gatherings, from protests to Pride.

Waking Giant is not interested in building a brand, in sowing further political division, or in the kind of performative action that leaves people feeling unsupported as soon as the crowd clears. We are determined that every action we take should leave our community a little better off than we found it, because we believe to our core that Helena is stronger when we show up, stand together, and do the work.

Let’s get to it.