How 2007 Changed Us

By Jay Harris and Mary Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

With the final hours of 2007 upon us, we are taking a look back at who our Crow news makers were, and what changes the tribe saw, enjoyed or endured during the last 12 months.

We start our retrospect in late January when a basketball story out of Pryor highlighted not our tribe's legacy in this sport but a divided school board, an embattled superintendent and a coach looking to lead an alcohol-free team at odds.

In these early weeks of 2007, a heated controversy surfaced when Larry Falls Down, the former boys basketball coach for Plenty Coups High School, was fired by the Pryor School Board in a 3-2 vote. Falls Down had suspended a player for violating the team's alcohol rules.

Days after tensions in Pryor virtually vanished from the state's news pages, our tribal secretary Andrew Old Elk, beloved by many, passed away at age 62. Later in the spring, Scott Russell was elected as the tribe's secretary, having defeating Leon Old Elk Stewart 1,445 to 1,185.

It was the spring when some of the year's best news happened in our communities, save for the floods that inundated the reservation's lower reaches and displaced many.

The Hardin boys basketball team finished with its best record in a decade come March and the Rams -- Little Big Horn College's basketball team -- wrapped up their first season ever. Tuff Harris, a tribal member and former University of Montana Grizzly All-American, signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first Crow to play major league professional sports.

On Easter, Saint Dennis Catholic Church reopened the doors to its chapel nearly a year after fires and other damages caused by vandals that shook the community. To see what the church looks like now, click here and watch an audio slideshow created by photographer Adam Sings in the Timber.

The spring hand game tournaments that took place for decades in Crow Agency's Round Hall were played down the road in the Apsaalooke Center, or Crow Multi-Purpose Building. Weeks before the competitions started, the Round Hall had been torn down by the tribe's administration.

By October, tribal politics returned to the spotlight with Chairman Carl Venne making clear his intent to run for reelection in 2008 with his supporters and administration declaring that our six-year-old constitution allows tribal officials to serve two, full four-year terms.

Also in November, half of the incumbents were defeated in their bid for reelection. Oliver Half, Jr., Woody “Shorty” Plain Feather, Patrick Alden, Jr., Conrad Stewart, Carlson “Duke” Goes Ahead, and Dana Wilson all won seats to the Crow Legislature in the races across the reservation's seven districts.

At the year's end, talks of natural resource development that remain an ongoing conversation with many of our politicians peaked in December when natural gas was struck in Black Lodge and Venne announced plans for a coal-to-liquid fuel plant that will be constructed on the reservation in the coming years.

People and events defined our year, but some studies showed changes too. Meth-use is down among Montana reservations high schoolers, for example, and domestic violence is on the decline on our reservation, too.

Pryor has got new rodeo grounds, while community halls for dances and other gatherings were built for St. Xavier and Black Lodge. In Crow Agency, a new hall is also being built at the site of the old Reno Hall that could potentially hold the dances the tribe puts on annually to celebrate the New Year.

Happy New Year from CrowNews!

Heywood Big Day III, also called "Third," contributed to this story.

Mid-Season Woes for Rams

By Leo Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

The Little Big Horn College Rams traveled to the eastern part of the state to face Miles City Community College on December 19 and fell, losing 107-79.

“We were not playing as a team against Miles City," said Gordon Real Bird, the team's head coach. "We have a lot of talent, we just need to decide that we are a team and play together.”

At the halfway point of the season the Rams have a record of 4-12. The next games will be at home at the  Apsaalooke Center, or Crow Agency's Multi-Purpose building, on Jan. 2 against Bismark State of  North Dakota.

“We are going into conference play now," Real Bird said. "I think this team is capable of winning  and having a better record than last year’s team.”

Tuff Harris Set to Play in Dolphins' Season Finale

By Jay Harris
CrowNews.Net

Finally!

Christmas arrives a little late this year for Tuff Harris fans but better late than never
when it comes to playing in the NFL.

The Miami Dolphins coaching staff informed Tuff earlier this week that he will start on special teams for the team's season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-9).

After a full season of hard practicing and seven weeks on the 53-man active roster,Tuff, a rookie safety, is getting this much anticipated opportunity to play.

“Ever since I was activated from the practice squad, the coaching staff
has told me to be ready to play,” he said over the phone for
CrowNews.Net.

When he takes the field Sunday in Dolphin Stadium, he will make history
as the first Crow Indian to participate in a major league sports
contest during a regular season.

A four-year letterman at the University of Montana, Tuff signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted, college free agent in May. In September, he was signed to the team's practice squad before being activated in November.   

With the league's worst record at 1-14, the Dolphins have had a very
tough season under their first-year, head coach Cam Cameron. The team has
been riddled with injuries, especially in the safety position, and have
relied on many young players to fill important roles this season. 

Among the young players forced into action is Tuff's roommate in
Fort Lauderdale and rookie safety Courtney Bryan of New Mexico State. Courtney and Tuff are two of the five safeties currently on the Dolphin
roster.

If Tuff plays that position Sunday, he’ll be the eleventh
Dolphin safety to see playing time this season. The latest Dolphin
defender gone to injury is cornerback Andre Goodman, whom Tuff is
replacing on the active roster of players suiting out.

All NFL teams are required to suit out no more than 45 of the 53
players on the active roster, and though  the Dolphins activated Tuff
off the practice squad more than six weeks ago, the opportunity for him
to play in a regular season game has been a gameday decision for the
coaching staff.

“I suited out in the snow game at Buffalo and wasn’t
sure if I was going to be able to play then," he said. "Now that I know for sure
I’m playing, I might have to think of a pre-game ritual other than
reading the game program.”

The Bengal-Dolphin game is a confirmed sell-out and will kickoff at
11:00 a.m. Mountain time. The game will be televised on CBS, but coverage
in Montana will likely be available only on the NFL Sunday Ticket
through DirecTV.

Editor's note: Jay Harris is in the Graduate Law Program of the Air Force ROTC
at the University of Colorado and is originally from Lodge Grass. He's Tuff's brother too and is without a doubt watching today's Dolphins game. If you have a story, whether news or opinion, you'd like to share with our readers about events, people or places in or around Crow Agency, send an e-mail to editor@crownews.net., a fax to (406)5453, or call (406)243-4001.

On Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans lead a 2007 Crow Fair parade. Photo by Adam Sings In The Timber.

By Jay Harris
CrowNews.Net

We
modern Crows have honored our modern warriors through a Veteran's Park,
a Veterans Day Pow-Wow, and other important events and programs.

From U.S. army scouts who served in the Great Sioux War to
the soldiers and sailors fighting today in Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Crows have been on the
frontlines in virtually every major military operation the United
States has engaged in since the establishment of the Crow Reservation
in 1868. 

But not only have our men and women been in the fight, Crows have made many significant contributions and many have distinguished themselves with military honors. 

This
holiday season many Crows and thousands of
American Indians from other tribes will not be home to spend time with
their friends and family. They'll be busy serving our nation in the
armed forces. They are the American soldiers, sailors, and airmen that
represent tribal nations across the country and their selfless service
is deserving of the highest thanks we can possibly give them.

In
addition to those who currently serve, there is a great and
well-documented tradition of service in the military by American
Indians and this is not, of course, the first holiday season where
America has asked them to be away from home.   

In the spirit of our gratefulness, I urge everyone to call senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester and ask them to support or co-sponsor
the Senate's counterpart legislation to the bill, which is titled "Recognizing the contributions of Native American
veterans and calling upon the President to issue a proclamation urging
the people of the United States to observe a day in honor of Native
American veterans." 

Tell Baucus and Tester it is time to give official
recognition and thanks to our American Indian veterans with a national
day of honor.

When you call or write, perhaps you can share some of your own family stories of military or other national service.

Thinking beyond dinners and pow-wows and a national day of
honor, I believe there is much more than can be done to honor our
veterans each and every day. In order for our military to be truly
honored and for it to be truly honorable we must make sure that the
great sacrifices made during this historic turning point in our history
are always coupled with great civilian leadership founded upon the
notion that armed conflict, while sometimes unavoidable, is the
absolute last resort and peace always our primary objective.   

Together, recognizing service and helping to promote a
foreign policy that uses military force wisely is the civilian
embodiment of what I call "Native American Patriotism" – and I would
like to ask all Crows to think about what more can be done to honor
service and sacrifice in the military, especially during the holiday
season.

Tell Baucus and Tester it is time to give official
recognition and thanks to our American Indian veterans with a national
day of honor.

When you call or write, perhaps you can share some of your own family stories of military or other national service.

Thinking beyond dinners and pow-wows and a national day of
honor, I believe there is much more than can be done to honor our
veterans each and every day. In order for our military to be truly
honored and for it to be truly honorable we must make sure that the
great sacrifices made during this historic turning point in our history
are always coupled with great civilian leadership founded upon the
notion that armed conflict, while sometimes unavoidable, is the
absolute last resort and peace always our primary objective.   

Together, recognizing service and helping to promote a
foreign policy that uses military force wisely is the civilian
embodiment of what I call "Native American Patriotism" – and I would
like to ask all Crows to think about what more can be done to honor
service and sacrifice in the military, especially during the holiday
season.

A Soldier's Return Home

Zita Yellowmule, left, and daughter Denica, right, stand by Emma Yellowmule with photos of Pfc. John Yellowmule displayed behind them.  

Story and photo by Tyler Wilson
CrowNews.Net

After an 18-month tour in Iraq with the U.S. Army and a short stay in Hawaii with his unit, Pfc. John Yellowmule will return to his family, horses and home in Wyola for a visit.

The family is expecting him this evening and his stay will last two
weeks, said his sister Zita Yellowmule. When the visit ends, he might
return to Iraq for another six-month tour, the last in his four-year
military contract.

"I thought it was dangerous over there but he didn't seem to care," she
said. "We don't have to worry about that for a while now that he's
back." 

Featured on a wall near the family's dining table is an American flag
with a photo of Pfc. Yellowmule's unit. A second photo shows him
standing alone in front of a flag and in uniform. He has spent the bulk
of his recent Iraq tour in Kurkur, located in the country's northern
region.

Emma Yellowmule, the mother of Pfc. Yellowmule, smiles at the mention
of her son, revealing her pride. And though she wants him home, she
said he is considering re-enlistment after his current contract ends,
which worries her.

Zita sides with her mom, expressing that she hopes her brother, who was
a tribal police officer before enlisting, will weigh out other options,
like applying for a job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.   

"It's dangerous but I believe in it 100 percent," Zita said of her brother's work. "I think he's fighting for our country."   

The last time Yellowmule visited was in May, a stay that also lasted
two weeks. "You could tell he was stressed when he came back," Zita
said. 

In December, when he is back on his family's land, Pfc. Yellowmule, who
is 35, plans on tending to his 10 horses, one of which is new, Zita
said. The family plans to have a dinner for his clan aunts and uncles.

"We will ask them for prayers," Zita said. "We are relieved he's alright." 

Editor's note: If you are currently serving in the armed services,
or have friends and family in Iraq or Afghanistan, we welcome your
words, stories and photos on this news site. Please send an e-mail to
editor@crownews.net, call (406)243-4001 or send a fax to (406)545-3953.

As the Holidays Near, a Plan for Peace

By Pius Real Bird
CrowNews.Net

I love this country and the people in my heart and spirit. I am an 83-year-old full-blooded Crow Indian and I have seen much in my life and thought deeply about this land. I never want to see it bombed and burned or turned to ashes.

In thinking about this, an idea came to me to try for peace on this earth. Native Americans are closely connected to nature and love Mother Earth and because of this we are respected throughout the whole world.

I believe a committee of seven traditional Native Americans, representing different tribes, who are involved in the sun dance, sweat lodge, Native American Church and other spiritual ceremonies should be selected to deliver this message to the U. S. government: You have tried your ways and have not been successful.

This committee of seven, which would also be knowledgeable in the
ways of the world, would meet the nations of the world seeking peace.
We would ask that the United States be bound by any agreements because
their purpose would be to protect America and its people while
respecting those of other lands.   

Peace is hard to achieve, but Native Americans have the respect of
all nations. They know that we have been mistreated by the United
States but somehow have managed to keep our culture, language, values
and dignity, all of which are important to us.

The committee could be trusted to hold the humanity of others in
high regard. The hardest part would be to make the U.S. agree and hold
to its promise of respecting what this committee would work out with
these people.

We need to try something to make headway against the threats to our
beautiful country. The war and diplomacy of the past has not and will
never work. If anyone wants to work on this, you can write to me at my
home. Thank you for the opportunity to put forth this idea.

Editor's note: Pius Real Bird has been a rancher on the Crow Reservation for more than 60 years and represented the Wyola (Mighty Few) District as a tribal legislature in recent years. You can write to Pius at P.O. Box 14, Wyola, Mont., 59089.

For the Rams, a New Team Record Is One Win Away

By Mary Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

A win and a loss against the Salish Kootenai College Bison this week means the Rams will go into their holiday break having won just as many games as the Little Bighorn College team did throughout their entire 2006-07 run.

On Monday night, the Rams won 124-112 with top-scorer Frank Hugs pouring in 40 points during the grand opening of SKC's new $5.5 million athletic center in Pablo. DJ Piapot was SKC's top scorer with 27 points.

Though Hugs came back Tuesday night to lead the team with 31 points, the Rams couldn't pull out the win. Piapot and the Bison rallied back from Monday night's game to beat the Rams 134-114.

The Rams are now 4-11, a losing record until you consider that the team now has a shot at topping the four victories that were claimed last year by the college's inaugural basketball te am. 

"We surprised a lot of people that we won four games last year. Some people thought we wouldn't get anything," second-year player Isaiah Stewart said earlier this fall. "This year we got more chemistry, more chemistry and we've got more height and more bulk on the squad."

Two weekends ago, the team travelled to North Dakota for games against United Tribes Technical College and Bismarck State.

They returned to Crow Agency having trumped the United Tribes team 122-121, and having lost to Bismarck State 120-89. In the game against United Tribes, first-year player Justin Hugs finished the night with a season high of 37 points.

Wacey Real Bird, who powered the inside game that night, put in 35 points, setting a new career high.

In the game against Bismarck State, the Rams got into early foul trouble and never recovered. Picking up four quick fouls early in the game, Wacey Real Bird didn't contribute like he had in recent games.

Leo Hudetz contributed to this story.

Lady Rams 0-2 in Pablo

For the Little Bighorn College women's team, Miranda Rowland and Adree Hugs were high-point players in Pablo, though the Rams lost both of the games they played in Salish Kootenai College's new athletic center.

On Monday night, SKC won 86-75. Before the half, SKC's Dani Augare scored 15 points and LBHC's Miranda Rowland led the team with 21 points. In the second half Dani Augare added another 10 points while LBHC's Adree Hugs scored 16.

The following night, SKC women won with 88 points to LBHC's 56. The leading scorer's for that game were SKC's Angie Redstar, who had 10 points, and LBHC's Hugs, who had 15.

Slain Missionary Served in Lodge Grass

Here is the Billings Gazette story about Philip Crouse, who was one of the people killed in Sunday's mass shooting in Arvada, Colo.  The piece, written by Luella Brien, tells his story through the memories of some of the people he befriended while building a house for Dana and Keith Bartlett in Lodge Grass.

Opinion: Fencing Along Road Ways Should Be Law

By Jay Harris
CrowNews.Net

Few things are more tragic than the unnecessary loss of life, especially when involving young people and most especially when involving accidents that otherwise could and should have been prevented. 

In recent months, two young individuals lost their lives in vehicle-livestock collisions. Both Nick Demontiney and Courtney Hugs left this world much too soon and there are many others who have also died or suffered serious injuries as a result of vehicle-livestock collisions on the Crow Reservation in the past several years.

It is long overdue time to finally correct this ridiculous problem once and for all.

I understand there may be jurisdictional issues concerning the tribe’s ability to regulate highway travel on the reservation. However, where a public right-of-way exists on a heavily-traveled roadway, tribal lawmakers, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the state of Montana should all take joint responsibility in enforcing adequate safety standards.

I believe such standards should give drivers confidence that livestock will not be on the road, especially at night. Of the many ways to address this problem, I think it best in the short-term to provide for civil or criminal liability imposed upon livestock owners found to be negligent in maintaining fencing adjacent to a roadway or who knowingly allow their animals to stray onto the roadway.

Ask anybody who travels the Saint Xavier to Lodge Grass BIA highway about the need for enforceable regulations or liability-creating legal duties upon livestock owners. 

Ask the same question of anybody who travels between Pryor and Saint Xavier, between Wyola and Lodge Grass or between Lodge Grass and Crow Agency.

This is a reservation-wide problem and it is a problem that has probably affected every tribal member in some way and has the potential to harm or affect anyone at any time.

Ultimately, I hope that Congress requires public fencing along all U.S. right of ways and that the Montana legislature does the same for state right of ways so as to preclude the need for regulation and litigation to protect life, limb and property.

Both will happen if made a priority and this issue will be made a priority with enough citizens, such as myself, voicing their concern.

This fall's tragedies have simply reinforced the fact that landowners and livestock operators cannot be depended upon to ensure safe roadways.

Editor's note: Jay Harris, Big Lodge Clan, is a law student at the University of Colorado and originally from Lodge Grass. In 2006, he founded the Apsaalooke Citizens Leadership Network. Click here to read content in the Billings Gazette that touches on the topic of Harris' article.

Rocky Mountain College JV Edges LBHC Rams

By Leo Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

On a cold, snowy night in Billings, the Little Big Horn College Rams lost a hot game to the Rocky Mountain College Bears junior varsity team 101-96.

The Rams led at half time 49-46 but their top two scorers, Frank Hugs and Wacey Real Bird fouled out late in the game and the Bears pulled out the win.

The Rams were going for their third straight win but fell to 2-5 on the season.

“This team has a lot of talent," said Gordon Real Bird, the team's head coach. "We just need to work on our dedication in order to put it together."

Hugs poured in 29 points with a combination of three pointers and drives through heavy traffic to the basket. Real Bird added 10 rebounds to his career high of 22 points. Cody Rose led Rocky with 24 points.

The Rams will play two games over the weekend in Sheridan, Wyo. On Friday night, they face a tough Sheridan College team and Saturday they square off against Powell Community College. Conference play will begin at the end of December.

In other action Tuesday night, the Lady Rams lost to RMC's JV team.

Lady Rams Fall to Western Montana in OT

By Brett Thomas-DeJongh
CrowNews.Net

The Little Big Horn College Rams took on the Western Montana College Bulldogs’ junior varsity squad in the Apsalooke Center this week as a Veterans Day crowd watched the Rams go down fighting. 

The ladies’ matchup was a tense battle, with Adree Hugs leading the Rams with 16 points and six blocked shots. The Lady Rams, who trailed for most of the game, tied the game at 40 on a three-point basket by Hugs with 10 seconds left. But the Bulldogs won in overtime, 48-41.

Despite the loss, the Lady Rams outperformed expectations. Before the game, Coach Dominic Gaglia said, “What I know is, we played [Rocky Mountain College] and lost by 41, and they played Rocky twice and won. We’re the underdogs.”

Hired just before the season, Gaglia is looking to the future. “If we can stay healthy and eligible, we’ll get better,” he said, adding that the Lady Rams must work on play execution and conditioning, both of which take time. Both the Lady Rams and the men’s squad have played together for only one year.

Administrative Dean David Small said Gaglia “is a good coach. After he’s been here for a couple years, you’re gonna see a big difference.” 

The 5-foot-11 Hugs was consistently in the right place at the right time, often seeming able to track rebounds unerringly after missed shots. She was the go-to player for baskets and blocked shots. Game announcer Albert Gros Ventre turned the call, “another two points for Hugs,” into a refrain. 

Bulldogs coach Pat Wulfekuhle said his team was “very well conditioned, and we have solid posts.” The winners’ scoring spurts put the Rams behind. After an even first half, they took a 27-15 lead in the first four minutes after the break. 

The Rams whittled away at the lead, and with six minutes, hit a three to go up by two before Hugs sent the game into overtime. 

After the loss, Gaglia praised the team’s progress but said, “We weren’t creating easy shots.”

Wulfekuhle said he played his reserves a bit too much. This game was the first in a doubleheader, with the second game starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Asked what adjustments he planned to make for the second game, he said, “We’ll have to watch out for [Hugs].”

Little Big Horn College Basketball Rosters

Here are the rosters for the 2007-2008 Little Big Horn College Rams basketball season.

Mens Squad

Lady Rams

Snapshot: Catholic Mass on the Crow Reservation

Slideshow by Adam Sings in the Timber
CrowNews.Net

Any given Sunday morning on the Crow Reservation, you can find Crows worshipping in a variety of ways. At the St. Dennis Catholic Church pictured above, one of the oldest churches in Crow Agency, members gather for mass, singing hymns in both English and Crow. Click on the image above to watch Adam Sings In The Timber's audio slideshow from one mass at St. Dennis.

'Itchik Apsaalooke Nation'

By Breanna Roy

CrowNews.Net

A tour through Crow Country reveals tourists in awe of the land and tribal members with strong ties to their community.

 

Looking Back: Lodge Grass Homecoming

Slideshow by Adam Sings in the Timber | Story by Mary Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

Lodge Grass fans, many decked in orange and black, braved a cool night in late September to support their hometown Indians during this year’s homecoming game.

The Lodge Grass team, made up of mostly underclassmen, played the White Hall Trojans and loss 63-0, making the halftime coronation the evening highlight. Chaz Bends, a linebacker on the football team, and Talista Stevens, the senior class president, were crowned king and queen, an honor that spotlighted the students on the football field but not at a high school dance. Said Stevens: “We don’t dance because we never win homecoming… It’s too sad.” 

But in a town where basketball is king, football fans continued to cheer on their team late into the fourth quarter. On the sidelines, boys tossed a football as the team on the field took heavy hits from the Trojans, but also hustled and drew an occasional “Good Indians” from announcer Darren Fritzler.

 

About the Rural News Network

The Rural News Network at the University of Montana's School of Journalism is a project that works with communities in the state to create their own citizen journalism-based news Web sites.

Made possible through funding from the J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism, RNN gives towns that have either lost their newspaper or never had one their own Web sites and the expertise to use them, creating a sustainable model for community news.

At the start of building the news Web sites, RNN brings journalism professionals and students to the community. The journalists' duty is to train citizens to take charge of their own communication via the Web.

So far, RNN has helped the town of Dutton in northcentral Montana start and maintain its own site, the Dutton Country Courier. CrowNews.Net is RNN's second site.

About Us

Our site, CrowNews.Net, is a community online newspaper serving the town of Crow Agency, Mont., and the Apsaalooke nation.

It is produced by tribal members, people involved with communities on the Crow Reservation and the Rural News Network at the University of Montana's School of Journalism.

The Rural News Network is made possible through funding from the J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism.

If you have news to share with the readers of CrowNews.Net, send an email to news@crownews.net. We take wedding and baby announcements with photos, letters to the editor and other stories of all kinds.

If you're interested in writing in any capacity, or shooting photos or video for CrowNews.Net, we'd be happy to have your help. If you'd like help with your writing, photographs or videos, we'd be happy to serve as editors.

Suggestions and advice from readers and contributors are always greatly appreciated.

The Crow Reservation is located in southern Montana where the Great Plains meet the Big Horn, Pryor and Wolf mountains. It spans more than two million acres and is home to some 8,000 people.

Crow Agency, also named Center Lodge, serves as the reservation's central commerce and government center. Each August, it hosts Crow Fair, a celebration that has become famous in Indian Country and beyond as the "Teepee Capital of the World."

First Crow News Team,fall 2007. From left to right: Tyler Wilson, Breanna Roy, Devin Wagner, Brett Thomas-DeJongh, Mary (Honey) Hudetz, and Adam (Boone) Sings In The Timber.

Parade Celebrates Native American Week

Parade participants ride through Crow Agency Friday, Sept. 21, the last day of Native American week for local schools. Photo by Tyler Wilson

By Brett Thomas-DeJongh
The Rural News Network

A parade finished off Native American week in Crow Agency last month, featuring very little children on very big horses, about a dozen floats, and plenty of candy to go around. 

Just about every age group was represented. Every elementary grade had a float, and even the kids from Song Bird Day Care were smiling and waving to the sparse crowd. 

Gene Grose, principal at Crow Agency Public School, estimated that 200 children took part. “It's a fun day for us,” Grose said.

Small children weren't the only ones throwing candy. Little Big Horn College fielded floats from Rodeo Club, Indian Club, as well as the student council.

Dressed in traditional garb, Robert Hugs, vice president of the federal education program TRIO, chose the parade over an exam. “I was taking a test, and they said come ride in the float.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch also put in an appearance, campaigning from the back of a truck.  On a week-long tour that included stops in Lame Deer and Billings, she also visited the elementary school to meet with Principal Grose.