GREAT FALLS — Montana State University–Northern in Havre is celebrating American Indian Heritage Week.
The week began with a Tipi Raising event on the campus lawn Sunday.
It continued Monday with Guided Ribbon Skirt Making in Cowan Hall. Tuesday will feature a presentation and ceremony on the role of Nakoda Women at 1:00 P.M., the significance and practice of Smudging and Singing at 3:00 P.M., and a Powwow Exercise Activity led by Little River Institute Peer Mentor Jonathan Nepoose, where attendees can work out to Powwow Music and learn the different styles of Powwow dances.
Wednesday will feature Nakoda teachings and prayer by Elder Geraldine Rutherford at 10:30 A.M. on the campus lawn. There will also be a Community Meal in the SUB Northern Lights Food Court starting at noon, and another Guided Ribbon Skirt Making in Cowan Hall.
Thursday and Friday will also feature Guided Ribbon Skirt Makings in Cowan Hall from 1-4 P.M. each day.
Little River Institute Project Director Erica McKeon-Hanson says that the event aligns with American Indian Heritage Day, which is recognized by the state of Montana as the last Friday in September.
“Montana State University – Northern celebrates American Indian Heritage every day on our campus. (This) week, which is the week that’s been designated by the state of Montana, and the day, the last Friday in September, as American Indian Heritage Day, we join with the state of Montana to celebrate through a series of cultural events that are driven, designed and coordinated by our students at MSU-Northern,” said McKeon-Hanson. “We have tipis that will go up on our campus that are shared by the families of our students. We also have a series of events that our staff and students and faculty can come to join and learn about the cultures of our students that are here at Montana State University – Northern.”
