Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

Kyi-Yo Celebration, April 16-17 at UM Adams Center

Eunice Straight Head sits for a photo inside their apartment in Rapid City with a variety of artwork pieces they've created. (photo by Matt Gade, Rapid City Journal)

Womens Fancy DancersThe skills of some of the best Native American dancers and drum groups in North America will be on display at the annual Kyi-Yo Celebration on Friday and Saturday, April 16-17, at the University of Montana’s Adams Center.
The theme of this year’s celebration of heritage and artistry is “Existing in the 21st Century.” It recognizes the strength and perseverance of Native peoples and cultures and the commitment of Native American students who have embarked on the path to embrace education and strengthen their families and communities.
General admission is $5 Friday and Saturday evening, and $8 for the full day Saturday. Weekend passes are available for $12. Tickets and passes can be purchased at the door.
The first Grand Entry event will be held at 7 p.m. Friday. Saturday Grand Entry times are noon and 6 p.m. Head dancers this year are UM students Tashina Hunter and Darin Cadman Sr. More information is on the Kyi-Yo Web site at www.umt.edu/kyiyo/powwow.htm.
This year’s Kyi-Yo Celebration will be held in conjunction with the following events:
April 12-16: “Indian Education for All.” An Indian Law Week event presented by UM’s Native American Law Student Association. For more information, call Shane Morigeau at (406) 546-7194 or e-mail shane.morigeau@
umontana.edu.
Wednesday, April 14: Missoula Indian Youth Conference. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Center.
n April 15-17: The 2010 National Conference on Undergraduate Research at UM. More information is on the NCUR Web site at www.umt.edu/ncur2010.
Kyi-Yo is an Associated Students of UM-recognized club that is open to all university students. The club promotes pride and positive identity in Native American culture and supports cultural diversity on campus.

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.