MSU adds Indian Law to online Native American Studies courses Montana State University will offer two online Native American Studies courses in the spring. A new online course, "Federal Indian Law and Policy" (Native American Studies 530), will trace the history and complexity of Indian law, covering treaties, water rights, natural resource development and tribal businesses. "Native America: Dispelling the Myths" (NAS 550) will use readings, videos, online conversations and creative projects, to enable students will wrestle with a series of assumptions commonly held by non-Indians and sometimes Indians alike. Read more...
Online Native American Studies grad certificate program available in January Montana State University is now accepting applications for an innovative online graduate certificate program in Native American Studies that begins in January. The 12-credit online graduate certificate program in Native American Studies is believed to be the first such program in existence, according to Walter Fleming, head of the MSU Department of Native American Studies. Read more...
MSU celebrates Native American Heritage Day Sept. 25 with slate of activities Montana State University will celebrate Native American Heritage Day on Friday, Sept. 25, between Centennial Mall and Montana Hall, with dance demonstrations, musical performances and free movie screenings, among other events. The celebration will begin with a tipi raising followed by a blessing. The Pacific Islander students will perform a haka, a traditional Maori dance. Wayne Fox, a hoop dancer and a member of the Hidatsa/Arikara tribe from the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota, will perform on the MSU Centennial Mall. Read more...
Grad student traces Native American influence on America's literary lineage Amy Gore studies Native American culture as it relates to literature, and rather than just looking at the words on the page, Gore is digging for something buried beneath those pages, a mostly silent minority "voice" that she believes has had a significant impact on America's literary identity. Gore, 25, was one of more than 200 MSU students who presented undergraduate and graduate research projects at the university's annual Student Research Celebration in April. Read more...
A different kind of Native: Hawaiian finds purpose and passion at MSU Josh Mori, a Native Hawaiian who plans a career as a professor and Native Hawaiian activist, obviously knew his origins long before he came to Montana State University two years ago in search of adventure. And while Mori didn't necessarily find the diversion he was seeking in this icy land thousands of miles from the islands, he did find a greater sense of himself and what he wants to do with his life. Read more...
Symposium on American Indian law set April 10 at MSU A symposium on "American Indian Law and Resistance" will be held on April 10 on the Montana State University campus. The symposium is free and open to the public. Robert Tim Coulter, director of the Indian Law Resource Center and a member of the Potawatomi Tribe, will deliver the symposium's keynote address. He will speak about "Demanding Change in Unjust Legal Rules: Using Human Rights Law on Indigenous Peoples." Read more...
MSU American Indian students detail challenges, support networks A panel discussion focusing on the unique challenges as minority students but also on strong support systems was held on March 25. The panel discussion, attended by about 30 faculty and staff members, was meant to provide a forum for academically high-achieving American Indian students to share their successes and find ways to build on those successes. The students who participated come to MSU from several different states and have a variety of majors. A number of the students said they plan to use what they learn at the university to return home to help their communities. Read more...
MSU pow wow set for April 10-11 The annual Montana State University American Indian Council Pow Wow will be held April 10-11. The MSU pow wow is one of the largest in Montana and all pow wow events are free and open to all. Dance and drum competitions are always a key feature of the event. Booths around the edge of the dance arena will offer the crafts of traditional artists and artisans throughout the event. A free chili dinner will be served on Saturday beginning about 4:30 p.m. Read more...
MSU Native American Studies symposium features Montana tribal histories Representatives from Montana's tribal colleges will report on the histories of the state's tribes during a Native American Studies symposium to be held April 6 and April 8. Presentations from the tribal college history project research teams will highlight the event, which is free and open to the public. The symposium precedes the 34th annual MSU American Indian Council Pow Wow to be held April 10 and 11. Read more...

Montana State University Native American Studies setting standardThe Montana State University Department of Native American Studies has received accreditation from the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium, the first mainstream non-indigenous controlled institution in the world to receive the designation. Read More....