The Montana CCR project participants met in September for its regular monthly dialogue with guest speaker Dr. Don Harr.

Billings, MT—A recent gathering of the Montana Cross-Community Reconciliation (CCR) Project, an initiative of the Global Peace Foundation, brought together diverse community members for an evening of reflection, healing, and dialogue on September 16, 2025. The event was highlighted by the moving words of guest speaker Dr. Don Harr, a revered psychiatrist and community leader whose life’s work has been rooted in compassion, faith, and understanding.

Now 101 years old, Dr. Harr spoke candidly and with clarity about the roots of fear, the value of self-awareness, and the deep need for community-based healing.

“Many people fear, and then things go in the wrong direction,” Dr. Harr said. “If someone is different, fear can come. But we are all God’s children—and every difference is an opportunity to understand another as an individual person.”

Director of the MT CCR project, Michael Yakawich.

From Fear to Understanding

Dr. Harr emphasized that prejudice is often born out of fear and a lack of understanding, not malice. He backed CCR’s simple yet profound solution: sharing space, conversation, and meals.

“When we all sit down and have a meal together, talk, and get to know each other, the fear starts to fade—and acceptance begins,” he told the audience.

He stressed the importance of recognizing that people are not all the same—and that’s not only okay, but necessary. Fear of others often stems from fear within ourselves, he said.

“If someone feels a lack of acceptance of themselves, they begin to doubt who they are. That fear of self leads to fear of others—and then, possibly, to prejudice. That’s why it’s so important to develop self-awareness.”

Healing Through Purpose and Faith

Dr. Harr also spoke about the significance of living with purpose and the role of faith in leading a meaningful life.

“A life without purpose is like a body without a soul,” he shared. “Purpose gives us joy and direction. I place my faith in a Higher Power—I believe that faith is essential to living a healthy, fulfilled life.”

Global Peace Foundation’s vision of “One Family under God” emphasizes that all people—regardless of background, culture, or belief—are equal in value and dignity because they share a common origin in a higher moral and spiritual source. The principle does not promote any one religion but rather affirms the universal truth that recognizing a shared Creator can inspire deeper respect, compassion, and solidarity across diverse communities. It is this spiritual foundation that empowers reconciliation efforts like the Montana project, encouraging individuals and groups to move beyond fear and prejudice and toward mutual understanding and peace.

A Vision for Community Mental Health

Drawing on his decades of experience, Dr. Harr reflected on how the mental health system in Montana has evolved—and how much further it can go.

“When I first arrived in Montana, the common practice was to remove people from their communities—to isolate them. But I’ve always believed people should be treated close to family and friends. That’s where real healing happens—with love, support, and dignity.”

Dr. Don Harr, psychiatrist and community leader, was the guest speaker for a recent MT CCR meeting.

He recounted the early days of his medical practice, when treatments like electroshock therapy and lobotomies were still prevalent. Dr. Harr was an early advocate for more humane approaches—talk therapy, proper medication, and above all, human connection.

“People need a relationship with God, and with each other. The more we go through adversity, the more we grow. But we must face our challenges together.”

Dr. Harr, who once helped pass legislation guaranteeing legal rights for individuals undergoing involuntary mental health treatment, has been a tireless advocate for justice and compassion throughout his life. Even in retirement, he continues to volunteer, speak, and offer guidance to those seeking a better path forward.

The Montana Cross-Community Reconciliation Project seeks to dismantle historical divides by fostering empathy, dialogue, and shared action. The recent event in Billings continued this mission by creating a space where voices like Dr. Harr’s could remind us of what truly matters.

“We are stronger than we think,” Dr. Harr said in closing. “But only when we stand together—with purpose, with love, and without fear.”