By Glenda Eagleman Wells
This year's theme for Native American Week in Rocky Boy is "Wah-Nahs-Ke-win, peace, harmony, and love on Mother Earth."
The event will be observed at Rocky Boy next week with cultural demonstrations, speeches, entertainment and other activities.
Also in honor of American Indian Day, Blackfeet singer/songwriter, storyteller and lecturer Jack Gladstone will visit Havre schools. Gladstone will perform at Sunnyside on Tuesday at 8:50 a.m. and at Lincoln McKinley at 1 p.m. He will then perform Wednesday at Havre Middle School at 8:50 a.m. and at Highland Park at 10:30 a.m.
Havre High School will host a free community concert by Gladstone on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
American Indian Day the fourth Friday in September was launched in 1914 by Sherman Coolidge, the first president of the Society of American Indians. After the Society of American Indians was disbanded, the Indian Association of America Inc. was formed in 1925 and Coolidge became its first president. Since then, the association has been active in promoting American Indian Day.
American Indian Day is a tribute to the aboriginal people of the United States and their contributions to the nation.
The Schedule for Native American Week in Rocky Boy is:
Monday / Ribbon Shirt Day
7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Community breakfast at Rocky Boy High School home economics room.
9 a.m. Arnold Thomas speaks at Box Elder School
11 a.m. Sobriety walk lineup at the Chemical Dependency Center
Noon Free feed and guest speaker Arnold Thomas at Stone Child College
2 p.m. Arnold Thomas speaks at Rocky Boy High School
2 p.m. Hand drum contest at Stone Child College Gym
5 p.m. Sweat and free feed at CDC and talking circle at CDC
Tuesday / Native American Jewelry Day
7 - 8 a.m.
Community breakfast at Box Elder School
9 a.m.
Tricycle race at CDC parking lot
11 a.m.
Frybread cooking contest, males only, at SCC gym
Noon Soup and berry contest, open to all, at SCC gym
1 p.m. Tug of war at baseball field
2 p.m.
Teepee contest at Rocky Boy Clinic
Wednesday / Native American T-shirt and Moccasin Day
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Door decorating contest, Native American theme
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Fire hose lay contest at Forestry
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Traditional track and field day at Rocky Boy football field; Cultural demonstrations at Box Elder School
10 a.m.
Horse shoe tournament at the baseball field
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Golf tournament at Fort Benton, participants must register at SCC by Monday
2 p.m. Horse race at John Loren's field
6:30 p.m. Hand game tournament at SCC gym
Thursday / Traditional Dress Day
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Arrow throwing contest at Rocky Boy football field
9 a.m.
Foot race at the baseball field
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Story telling at Box Elder School
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Turkey shoot behind Natural Resources
11 a.m.
Traditional dress for elders photo shoot for calender
Noon Parade lineup at the Chemical Dependency Center
1:30 p.m. Exhibition powwow and round dance at the Rocky Boy School gym
