November 2, 2011

 

Contacts:

Reno Charette, American Indian Outreach and Diversity Center, 657-2144
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Montana State University Billings faculty, students, staff and Billings community members will join again this Veteran’s Day to construct a medicine wheel to honor veterans as well as American Indian college students.

 

The event is set for Thursday, Nov. 10 at noon just outside the Liberal Arts Building on the MSU Billings four-year campus. The event is open to anyone.

 

a medicine wheel under construction on the MSUB campus in 2010The ceremony is both patriotic and cultural, said Reno Charette, the director of American Indian Outreach and Diversity Center at MSU Billings.

 

The medicine wheel has a dual purpose of honoring American Indian students as well as honoring veterans. Those who participate are asked to place a rock in the medicine wheel circle to represent someone they know who has served in the military or a student who has made a sacrifice to attend college.

 

Charette says the wheel — which typically stays in place into December — is a symbol of the American Indian presence at the university while also providing an opportunity to recognize the cultural strength that supports the success of our students. 

 

For more information, contact Charette at 657-2144 or by e-mail at rcharette@msubillings.edu.

 

PHOTO ABOVE: Students, faculty, staff and community members construct a medicine wheel during Veteran’s Day 2010