Native teens form council to bring Missoula-area youth together
The little ones have round dances with silly games and the adults lead numerous organizations. But Lynell Shepherd said Native American teens find themselves caught between the two, not quite fitting either place and sometimes feeling isolated because they are divided among so many area schools.
“There is a bunch of people doing events, but it’s mainly adults and the youth don’t really get a say in what happens or not,” said the 16-year-old who is Blackfeet and Crow.
A new Missoula Native Youth Council that formed this fall hopes to bring teens together to give them more say in their schools and their community while giving them positive and safe activities.
Children of all ages are welcome to attend meetings and serve as representatives from their campus, but only high school students can vote on matters before the council. (Continue reading here)
Missoula to name new elementary after Jeannette Rankin
A century after Missoula-born Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to U.S. Congress, two elementary schools under construction will be the first in Montana named after the pioneering suffragist and pacifist.
Earlier this month, Kalispell trustees voted that a new South Side school should carry her name. At the same time in Missoula, students and parents of Cold Springs Elementary pondered possibilities and voted on their favorite choices for their new building set to open in the fall. Nearly half of the 735 ballots supported Jeannette Rankin over Maloney Ranch, Miller Creek, Mountain View or Three Rivers. (Continue reading here)
Arizona Native women condemn Trump for ‘Pocahontas’ remark
An Arizona legislator was among several Native American women who gathered Friday at the state Capitol for a news conference condemning President Donald Trump’s reference to “Pocahontas” earlier in the week.
“As indigenous women, we are outraged that the president of the United States would use Pocahontas’ name in such a disparaging manner, ” Benally said. “More so, it was in front of our Code Talkers, revered war veterans who were gathered there to be honored at the White House.” (Continue reading here) **Learn more about the history of Pocahontas here **
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