Hays-Lodge Pole schools schedule heritage activities

Hays-Lodge Pole schools on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation have a series of activities scheduled to highlight Native American heritage, ending with a parade and powwow next Friday, Native American Heritage Day in Montana.

The activities include inviting the sponsors of the bill designating American Indian heritage day in Montana, which passed the Legislature in 2009, to have lunch with students at the Hays-Lodge Pole schools.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Mont., and co-sponsored by Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, Rep. Sharon Stewart-Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, Rep. Carole Pease-Lopez, D-Billings, Rep. Forestina “Frosty” Calf Boss Ribs, D-Heart Butte, Rep. Margarett Campbell, D-Poplar, Rep. Shannon Augare, D-Browning, and Rep. David Roundstone, D-Busby.

The bill, signed into law by Gov. Brian Schweitzer, designated the last Friday in September as American Indian heritage day, “a day of observance to commemorate this state's American Indians and their valued heritage and culture.”

The bill urged people on American Indian heritage day to “reflect on American Indian culture and heritage; and … celebrate American Indians and their culture and heritage in all lawful ways.”

The activities at Hays-Lodge Pole start Monday, listed as Rock Your Mocs day, with tribal historians from Montana’s seven Indian reservations — Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy’s, Blackfeet, Fort Peck, Flathead, Crow and Northern Cheyenne —  coming to talk to the students.

The historians are scheduled to talk to students at Hays High School from 8 a.m. to noon and at Lodge Pole Elementary School from 1 to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Boots and Braids Day, the sponsors of the bill are invited to come have lunch with students from 11 a.m. to noon at the Hays High School cafeteria.

No activities outside of regular schoolwork are scheduled for Wednesday, but they resume on Native Bling Day, Thursday, with Tipi Races and Horse Game demonstrations at the Lodge Pole Arena.

The morning of Friday, Ribbon Shirt and Dress Day, activities start at 10 when students gather at Lodge Pole school to start a parade and powwow.