September 11, 2012

 

Contacts:

Reno Charette, American Indian Outreach, 657-2144
Brent Roberts, MSU Billings Library, 657-1655
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

 

Collection of banners and photos from Montana Historical Society goes on display next week

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Montana State University Billings will host the traveling exhibit, “Montana’s Native Warriors” from Sept. 17 to Oct. 26 at the MSU Billings Library as a way to honor the commitment and sacrifice of American Indians in the armed services. The exhibit is free and open to everyone.

 

Marine Corps Women

The “Montana Native Warriors” exhibit is at the university as part of MSU Billings’ American Indian Heritage Day activities that run from mid-September through the end of October. The hours at the library — located on the University Campus just east of the Liberal Arts Building — are Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and  Sunday, 2-10 pm.

 

Sponsored in conjunction with the Montana Historical Society, the exhibit honors Montana’s American Indian warriors who have participated in every conflict the United States has engaged in since World War I. Today there are more than 5,000 Native veterans in Montana while many Montana Indian women and men remain on active duty. This traveling exhibit highlights their stories beginning with World War I and ending with contemporary conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

The exhibit consists of colorful banners that illustrate Montana’s American Indian involvement in both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and modern conflicts using both contemporary and historic photographs and the first-hand accounts of Montana soldiers.

 

“This was an opportunity to recognize a group of individuals who have given so much to this state and our country,” said exhibit curator Sarah Nucci. “So many times, in our past, we have overlooked what the veterans have sacrificed – this was a way to honor them.”

 

The final panel seeks to honor Montana’s Native American veterans by providing access to an online memorial of names and tribal affiliations.

 

This information was compiled using publicly accessible sources and names provided by family members. Please contact the Curator of History, at (406) 444-4710, to add names to the list.

 

For more information about the exhibit at MSU Billings, contact Reno Charette, director of American Indian Outreach, at 657-2144 or by e-mail at rcharette@msubillings.edu or Brent Roberts, library director, at 657-1655.

 

PHOTO ABOVE: This photo of American Indian women who served in the Marine Corps is a part of the exhibit that will be on display the MSU Billings Library starting Sept. 17.