University Communications and Marketing

March 17, 2014

Contacts:

Reno Charette, Office of American Indian Outreach, 657-2182 
Carmen Price, University Relations, 657-2269

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — The 46th annual Montana State University Billings Powwow will be held April 4-5 at MSUB’s Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The MSUB Powwow, presented by the Office of American Indian Outreach, integrates Native American heritage with higher education. The event attracts nearly 3,000 attendants with tribes from across the country over the span of two days.

The powwow is one the oldest collegiate powwows in the state and one of the largest university-sponsored powwows in the Northwest.

This year’s powwow theme is Celebrating Native Women: Continuing a Tradition of Excellence.

“The theme is to honor historic moments for Indian women,” Reno Charette, director of American Indian Outreach and powwow organizer, said.

In particular, Charette points out the recent reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that allows tribes to bring cases against non-natives for domestic sexual and violent crimes and violations of protection orders.

“It is also to recognize the MSUB native women population, which is largely women who are older and have children and are using education to make better lives for themselves and their families.”

Powwow events are free and open to all, but booths around the edge of the dance arena will be selling T-shirts and other various items to help fund projects and scholarships through the Office of American Indian Outreach. Traditional artists and artisans from across the region will also be selling a variety of American Indian items.

Grand Entry is set for Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon, led by dignitaries from throughout the area. Dance and drum competitions with cash prizes will follow. Head Woman Dancer this year is MSUB alumna Nona Main, of the Aaniiih Tribe, and the Head Man Dancer is alumnus Josiah Hugs, of the Crow Tribe.

This year’s arena director is Aaniiih tribe member Terry Brockie—MSUB alumnus and Blaine County School Superintendent. The announcer is Darin Old Coyote, Tribal Chairman of the Crow Tribe.

MSUB Alumni Association will host an Alumni Brunch on Saturday, April 5, at 9 a.m. For more information, contact the Director of Alumni Relations, Sarah Brockel at 406-657-2011 or alumni@msubillings.edu.

The powwow will be streamed live for three hours on both Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit our website.

PHOTO ABOVE:2014 MSU Billings Powwow poster