My Birthday at the Pow Wow

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Here is a short entry to let you know what I did on my birthday! I attended Montana States American Indian Council (AIC) Pow Wow and had a rip roaring good time. It was nice to get a chance to see a bunch of people one last time before I left the state, eat some delicious fry bread, and see some amazing dancing and drumming. Little did I know that the head advisor of the AIC had something special planned for me on Saturday night. That evening they honored me with a dance, a song, a bunch of gifts (including a Pendleton blanket), and all the fry bread I could eat for the weekend! It was a great gesture of appreciation, and I can not put it in words how much it meant to me. It is truly I who am appreciative of them as I have gotten so much more out of tutoring and working with the AIC/COOP(Caring for Our Own Program)/AIRO (American Indian Research Opportunities), it is something I will truly miss when I no longer am in Montana.

Cheryl, one of my best friends in Bozeman, also convinced me to run a freaking 5K. I finished in about a half hour...can't remember the exact time, but it was close to a ten minute mile (Yep, speedy freaking Gonzales here at 6 mph). Hey, but it was a blast. It was an awesome weekend and I would like to share with you some really cool pictures (and yes Michael Sulock has come through again with some phenomenal pictures of the event here and here).

Once more a heart felt thanks to the AIC, COOP, and AIRO for making my time at MSU that more special (If any of you are reading this you should come to Maine and visit, I'll treat you to a lobster dinner).

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Photos

Me and the local Mountain Man
No kidding the dude dresses like this ALL the time.

What the...
Just something that normally happens at a pow wow, nothign to see here!

The fun show
Ronnie is blown away!

Getting Ready
to join an honor dance for Professor Laura Macey, a Penobscot from Maine working in Montana!

My Honoring
Dustin saying some kind words.

The Dance
The start of the dance.

Shaking Hands
With Shane.

Cheryl honors me
Thank you so much Cheryl.

Santa
Doesn't Caleb look so happy!

Comments

[aunt janet]

lobstar
I am already in Maine, but I would like you to buy me a lobstar anyway. Love you

[CCP]

Luke Bonanza!
My Dear Lukas! or is that Lukass! How can i ever forget this, you have no idea how many words i wished i could have said to you, but none will equal the honor that i and MSU have for you! When i am 89, perfect number or not, i will be making an upside down peace sign and yelling to someone somewhere... "pee on you" while jumping up and down with my walker... you are great and i love and miss you and am looking for a job for you here!

[Jen]

The Dance
From these pictures, one would assume that The Dance for Luke consists of bending your left arm. Interesting... That was in no way meant as a diss on the Pow Wow or the honor of being honored and included in the Pow Wow. I just found it amusingingly coincidental that in every picture taken of you during this dance, you appear to be walking with your left arm bent. Did it hurt? You know, my good natured smart mouth comes across all wrong in print. I hope no one is offended, although I suppose if you find it offense or think that someone else will, you won't display it. This is getting out of hand; I must stop now! I LOVE MATH!!!!

[Angela]

Hmmm, a Pendleton blanket! I used to live in Pendleton! Pow wows are fun; Ive been to a few (in said Pendleton; had an ex that is a Native American in the tribe there) and I always had a good time. Shoulda bought me a lobstah when YOU were HERE. Instead we had to make do with stuffed manicotti. You left your Spudnuts; I ate them.