Celebrating Community and Tradition: Homecoming, Indigenous Peoples' Day, and Halloween at The Last Best Store

Reflecting on culture, community, and creativity amidst the autumn foliage

At The Last Best Store, we wholeheartedly champion the vibrant traditions and diverse communities that make Montana unique. From recognizing the spirit and achievements of the University of Montana Grizzlies, to honoring the rich cultures and resiliency of Indigenous peoples, to embracing the creative joy of Halloween, we’re proud to be part of the celebrations. Join us in-store and online as we offer exclusive promotions, new products, and reflections that celebrate the heart of Big Sky Country!

~~~~~~~~~~ 

Fall Fan-Fare: Homecoming Essentials for Every University of Montana Fan

We take immense pride in offering locally-made University of Montana Homecoming apparel and accessories that go beyond typical fan gear. What makes our selection truly special? Every piece is designed and crafted right here in Missoula by proud Griz alumni and fans. From cozy hoodies to stylish hats, and everything in between, our collection is not only high-quality but also deeply connected to the spirit of the University of Montana.

When you purchase UM apparel, UM headware, and UM home goods you're not just standing behind your university and team — you're supporting local businesses, artists, and UM graduates who create and curate the University of Montana collection. Whether you're tailgating before the big game, attending the Homecoming parade, or simply showing off your Griz pride around town, our apparel will showcase your UM pride. Make this Homecoming unforgettable and celebrate your school spirit in authentic, locally-made style. Go Griz!

But that’s not all—we’re also offering a special University of Montana Homecoming bundle throughout the month of October, available exclusively online. Whether you’re gearing up for Homecoming festivities or just looking for the perfect Griz fan gear, this bundle is a great way to show your Griz pride while also saving big!

University of Montana Homecoming Bundle 

~~~~~~~~~~ 

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day and Supporting Indigenous Artists Every Day

At The Last Best Store, we recognize that Indigenous peoples have long been stewards of the land, shaping the cultural and environmental fabric of Montana and all of Turtle Island (North America). Their deep relationships with the land and all living beings are not only integral to their cultural heritage and contemporary communities, but also to the sustainability and vibrancy of the ecosystems that sustain us all. Standing with and alongside Indigenous peoples is more than a one-day event for us—it’s a daily commitment to honor their cultural and ecological contributions, and an acknowledgement of the systems of inequity through which we continue to interact.

Indigenous peoples around the world have long emphasized respect, reciprocity, and interconnectedness with nature. In Montana, the land itself carries stories and histories of Indigenous peoples who have lived here since time immemorial. From our home in the Rocky Mountains to the vast prairies of eastern Montana, Indigenous communities have cultivated knowledge about sustainable practices, from seasonal harvesting and hunting to conservation techniques that are increasingly relevant today. These practices are grounded in solid observations about our entanglement with natural processes, and thus provide invaluable lessons in ecological stewardship.

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 14), The Last Best Store will add the following land acknowledgement to our website:

The Last Best Store stands in solidarity with the Indigenous people of Montana, and Turtle Island (North America) more broadly. Our store, production facilities, homes, and other places of personal and professional significance reside on the traditional lands of many Indigenous peoples, including the Selis (Salish), Ksanka (Kootenai), and Qlispe (Kalispel). Other Indigenous peoples—including the Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet), Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Shoshone, Bannock, and Schitsu'umsh (Coeur D'Alene)—also relied upon their traditional knowledge and relationships with this land in the past, and continue to do so today.

Many of us at The Last Best Store were born and raised in Missoula, MT—known to the Selis as Nłʔáyčstm (Place of the Small Bull Trout)—and have genuine respect for the land and diverse peoples of our home. It pains us to acknowledge that education, health, and legal systems in the United States have led to the direct removal, oppression, and marginalization of Indigenous peoples throughout Montana and the nation, but we cannot ignore this history and its contemporary implications. Simultaneously, The Last Best Store seeks to emphasize the strength, vibrancy, and resiliency of Indigenous peoples by promoting Indigenous artists and art, whenever possible. We thereby hope to amplify the voices and work of Indigenous peoples through our collections, and remain open to partnering with Indigenous-led community organizations through our merchandise-based fundraising program.

[Adapted from the University of MT School of Public and Community Health Sciences website, penned/ edited by Prof. Annie Belcourt and other Indigenous scholars at UM. For more information about the limits of land acknowledgements, see this article in Sapiens.]

The Last Best Store is committed to promoting Indigenous artists and makers, whose work reflects their vibrant cultures, adaptive traditions, and deep connection to the natural splendor that is Montana. Aside from their heritage, these artists' works speak for themselves. For example, we were delighted to learn that one of our vendors, Monica Gilles-BringsYellow, recently completed a mural in Missoula that seeks to establish dialogue around issues of representation, mutual respect, and bringing communities together. You can check out her website here and get more information about the mural here. We realize that promoting artists and making land acknowledgements is not sufficient to remedy systems of inequity in our communities and across Turtle Island, and so we do our best to advocate for more substantive engagement and representation of Indigenous peoples every day. 

Shorty White Grass Original Art, by Monica Gilles-BringsYellow

Montana Mountain Pendant, by Bull & Bear (our very own Theo Bullock!)

 ~~~~~~~~~~ 

It's the Most Spooktacular Time of the Year

Join us in also celebrating the most spooktacular time of the year! Halloween is a holiday rich in cultural and artistic significance, rooted in a range of Euro-American traditions and continuously evolving through centuries of global influence. Culturally, Halloween represents a unique blend of themes: fear and fun, death and celebration. It serves as a time for communities to come together, embracing the unknown and enjoying the thrill of the eerie and the strange. Children engage in trick-or-treating, while adults partake in haunted houses, parties, and creative displays of costumes and decorations. In this way, Halloween allows for a communal exploration of darker themes in a light-hearted, celebratory way.

Artistically, Halloween has long been a source of inspiration. Its rich tradition of costumes, masks, and visual storytelling gives people the chance to embrace creativity and self-expression. From elaborately carved pumpkins (jack-o’-lanterns) to spooky decorations, Halloween fosters a culture of craftsmanship and imaginative design. This October, we can't wait to get into the Halloween spirit by participating in the annual Southgate Mall Candy Crawl. On Halloween day, we’ll be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters as part of this fun community event, so bring your little ghosts and goblins by for some sweet treats!

~~~~~~~~~~ 

Monthly Retail Roundup

September seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. As temperatures drop and the leaves begin to turn, we are delighted to welcome the following new Montana artisans to The Last Best Store community: Bitterroot Buzz Bees, Emery's Cute 3D Prints, Lane Legacy Beef, Quinn Leather Goods, and Wenlynne Fine Art. As always, we strive to add new products and collections to our website as quickly as possible. So stay tuned as we offer new products and promotions, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season!

~~~~~~~~~~