BOZEMAN – Montana State University held a ground blessing for its new American Indian Hall on Friday.
The 25,000 square foot building will be located south of Hannon Hall and will house the Department of Native American Studies. Currently, that department is located in a 1,100 square foot room in the basement of Wilson Hall.
The ceremony included prayer, speeches, and a circle dance.
“This sacred ground where we sit and stand today, the sacred ground that has seen the thousands of ancestors before us, will see the footsteps of thousands of indigenous scholars and family members for years to come. Thank you,” said MSU American Indian Ambassador Connie Brownotter.
The event kicked off the 44th Annual MSU Powwow that was held throughout the weekend.
MSU expects to enroll more than 1,000 American Indian students by the fall of 2020.
-Reported by Mederios Babb/MTN News
