State Indian coordinator commencement speaker Aaniiih Nakoda College

Havre Daily News staff

Aaniiih Nakoda College on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation has lined up a special speaker for its 31st Commencement Ceremony Thursday in the Harlem High School gymnasium.

Jason Smith, Montana State Indian coordinator to Gov. Steve Bullock, will deliver the address.

"With Jason's experience and delightful personality, it is no wonder the governor would select him to serve on his cabinet. To his position with the governor's office, Jason brought years of experience working with all Montana tribes," ANC President Carole Falcon-Chandler said in a release about the graduation.

The release said Smith graduated from Salish Kootenai College with a Bachelor of Arts in business and entrepreneurship. After working with the Native American Development Corporation in Billings for a period of time, he served as executive assistant to the chair of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

During the 2009 Montana State Legislature, Smith served as chief of staff of the Montana American Indian Caucus during the 2009 Legislature.

He then worked as the Montana Department of Commerce State Tribal Economic Development program manager.

Gov. Steve Bullock appointed Smith to serve to his cabinet as State Director of Indian Affairs effective Jan. 7, 2013

The son of Monica Caye of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai and Leonard Smith of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux, Smith is an enrolled member of the Confederated and Salish Kootenai Tribes.

Thursday, he will address the 31 candidates for graduation.

ANC Dean of Students Clarena Brockie said in the release that, the college administrators, faculty and staff are extremely proud of the graduates. She invited everyone to attend the commencement ceremony and the feed that will follow graduation.

In the release, Brockie extended congratulations to:

Allied Health - DeeAnn Brockie, Denise Stanley, Jennifer Wilkinson;

American Indian Studies - Walt Bad Road-Mount;

Business Technology and Business Administration - Tyrus Hammett, Tia Rose Zander, Suzie Kirkaldie, Serena Cuts the Rope, Isaac Smith, Mel Adams Doney;

Computer Information Systems - Kasey Ramone, Charles Werk, Darrius Kulbeck, Caleb Grant, Tyrus Hammett (second degree);

Environmental Science - Katelyn Goes Ahead, Dawn Thomas;

Education - Janine J. Ballard;

Liberal Arts - Sid Goes Ahead;

Nursing - Kaitlyn Young, Richelle M. Sullivan, Alyssa Horn, Mylene Snow, Laurencia Chandler;

Carpentry - Sheree L. Parisian, Laine R. Little Owl;

Welding - Damian Bradley, Chance Main, Kobe Brockie, Anthony S. Cliff, Terry Sandcrane, Jr., Randy Spoon Hunter.

People who want more information about the graduation event can call Aaniiih Nakoda College at 353-2607.