At Montana State University (MSU) I am still narrowing down my specialty in modern American Indian literature. At MSU I joined the American Indian Council (an American Indian student organization). Recently they had a highway clean-up project. I also belong to the MSU Global Culture Club, which fosters cultural exchange between international students and Americans.

Since my arrival I attended the annual MSU Berger Lecture on contemporary Native American issues presented by Mr. Bill Yellowtail, Katz Chair of Native American Studies. I also attended the celebration of Indian Heritage Day and the blessing of the territory designated for a new campus building.

Living in the mountains is a new experience for me and I am enjoying it. The other day, when Bozeman was enjoying one of its last warm and sunny days this year, we were supposed to have a class, but it was a pity to miss such an awesome day. So our professor decided we could have a lesson of how to be an Indian. Since there were only three of us in the class, we hopped into a car and went to the mountains. Then each student individually wandered off on a trail to find his or her own spot to learn from silence and the surrounding environment. This was experiencing American Indian philosophy in practice. It was a neat experience!

American Indian Council

Indian Heritage Day - designated new building area marked by a tepee