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Blessing opens Native American Center
By Lina Miller
J-School Web reporter
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Video by Alex Krigsvold and Neel Deshpande |
| Praying in the Crow language, Scott Russell uses a braid of sweetgrass to bless the four corners of the J-School's Native American Center, then offers the sweetgrass to Dean Peggy Kuhr. |
As participants looked toward the East, where the sun rises and offers the new day along with new possibilities, a prayer in traditional Crow language marked the blessing of the School of Journalism’s Native American Center in Don Anderson Hall earlier this month.
A sweet scent filled the room as Scott Russell, secretary of Montana’s Crow Tribe, finalized Sunday’s blessing ceremony by lighting a braided strand of ceremonial sweetgrass.
“We all pray to the same creator,” Russell said. “We just have different ways of expressing that.”
During the prayer Russell noted that people will enter the building from all walks of life. He said he hopes the blessing will help people bring positive energy to the center and leave with new knowledge.
“This culture is so rich and [the center] shows appreciation for the first Montanans,” Russell said. “For too long the perception has been negative.”
Currently, 527 Native American students attend the University of Montana. Journalism Dean Peggy Kuhr hopes that the new center will provide a welcoming and respectful atmosphere.
“I think it’s important for us, in the West, to understand the origin of the land and the people,” Kuhr said. “I hope it makes everyone feel welcomed.”
The small group of students, faculty and administrators at the Oct. 7 ceremony included UM Provost Royce Engstrom. Prior to the blessing ceremony, the group viewed a short video that showcased the Native American population on the University of Montana campus.
“There’s such a diverse group here,” Russell said in response to the video. “I’m very proud as a tribal leader. It’s reassuring to see students’ efforts to better themselves.”
Russell believes that young Native journalists hold promise for the future of journalism. This belief prompted him and Denny McAuliffe, a J-School professor, to create reznet. The Web site is run by Native college students from across the country, with McAuliffe as editor.
The Native American Center will be used as a classroom and meeting room for several campus groups, including the J-School’s Native News Honors class and reznet.
“Until today this has been a Native American center in name only,” McAuliffe said. “But now we’ve done the right thing and this is a true Native American center because it’s been blessed."
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