BILLINGS- The problem of missing and murdered indigenous women was a major part of the biggest and longest running college powwow in Montana.
The 51st annual MSU Billings Powwow started Friday night with the grand entry at Alterowitz Gym.
This is the second powwow of the season, following last week’s in Bozeman.
The theme of this year’s event is “Honoring our Future Leaders.”
A basketball tournament also helps raise awareness of missing and murdered women.
Powwows are a time for tribes from across Montana and nearby states to come together for dance and celebration.
“We have such an extended family, that not only extends in our own tribe but extends inter-tribally,” said Kaitlin Hugs, MSUB Intertribal Indian Club president. “Not only highlights each of our individuality that we have from one another but also unifies us. We also have all of these traditional regalia, bead work, languages, culture, traditions.”
The MSUB Powwow wraps up Saturday with another grand entry at noon and the basketball tournament tipping off at 8:30 a.m.
