402 North 32nd
Billings, Montana 59101
Tel: 406/248-1685
Fax: 406/248-3450
http://www.billingsymca.org
Open from April, 09 through December 31, 09. This new traveling exhibition chronicles the history of the Crow Indians or Apsaalooke. It was outlined, researched, and designed by a team of Crow historians and artists. Visitors will learn the history of the tribe starting with first contact with Europeans, hear the stories of modern day tribal members and learn their opinions on where they see the tribe in the future, learn Crow words, and view Crow artifacts.
Event Location: Western Heritage Center, Billings, Montana 59101
The permanent American Indian Tribal Histories Project Exhibit provides an overview of Montana's Native American tribes through maps, tribal flags and an explanation of their symbols, Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribal member oral histories, and a chronology of the American Indian Tribal Histories project, whose mission is to preserve and maintain American Indian tribal histories and culture.
Event Location: Western Heritage Center, Billings, Montana 59101
From April, 09 until December 31, 09, you can learn the largely untold story of the courageous efforts of the Northern Cheyenne people in their long journey back to their Montana homeland where they reside today. The exhibition was outlined, researched, and designed by a team of Northern Cheyenne historians and artists. Visitors will hear quotes from Northern Cheyenne leaders, view artifacts, historic photos and ledger art, watch Northern Cheyenne tribal members' oral histories, and learn new Northern Cheyenne words.
Event Location: Western Heritage Center, Billings, Montana 59101
The YMCA Writer’s Voice and the Parmly Billings Library will kick-off The Big Read September 25 at Montana State University-Billings as a part of American Indian Heritage Day. "Love Medicine" by Louise Erdrich is the chosen Big Read book. The Big Read and High Plains BookFest will continue programs and workshops at schools, libraries, museums and other public venues in south-central Montana throughout the month. The 2009 BookFest and The Big Read will focus on Native and non-native contemporary regional writers, whose works address the culture, history and lives of the Northern Plains Indians.
Event Location: Montana State University-Billings campus, Billings, Montana 59101
10am, Friday, October 2 Western Heritage Center - 2822 Montana Avenue The American Indian Tribal Histories Project The American Indian Tribal Histories Project Exhibit provides an overview of Montana’s Native American tribes through maps, tribal flags and an explanation of their symbols, Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribal member oral histories, and a chronology of the American Indian Tribal Histories Project, whose mission is to preserve and maintain American Indian tribal histories and culture. Western Heritage Center Director Julie Dial will moderate. Mardell Plainfeather and Ruby Sooktis will discuss the project and walk the audiences through the two exhibits on display.
Event Location: Western Heritage Center in downtown Billings, Billings, Montana 59101
Thirteen books have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Parmly Billings Library High Plains Book Awards. All of the books were published for the first time in 2008 and written by a regional author or writing team, or is a literary work which examines and reflects life on the High Plains. Nominations were received from 20 publishers and several individuals in the U.S. and Canada. A five hundred dollar cash prize is awarded in each category. Winners in each category will be announced at the The High Plains Book Awards Banquet. The finalists are: Fiction: "Kyleah's Tree," Janet Muirhead Hill, Raven Publishing; "So Brave, Young, and Handsome," Leif Enger, Grove/Atlantic; "Another Man's Moccasins," Craig Johnson, Viking/Penguin Nonfiction:"In Contemporary Rhythm," Peter H. Hassrick and Elizabeth J. Cunningham, University of Oklahoma Press; "The Wide Open," Ed. by Annick Smith/Susan O'Connor, University of Nebraska Press; "Legacy of Stone," Margaret Hryniuk, Frank Korvemaker and Larry Easton, Coteau Books Poetry: "Made Flesh," Craig Arnold, Ausable Press; "Prairie Kaddish," Isa Milman, Coteau Books; "The Baseball Field at Night," Patricia Goedicke, Lost Horse Press First Book: "Horses That Buck," Margot Kahn, University of Oklahoma Press; "Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles," John Fitzpatrick, Riverbend Publishing; "Wind River Country," Bayard Fox and Claude Poulet, Fremont County Publishing Zonta Best Woman Writer: "The Wide Open," Edited by Annick Smith and Susan O'Connor, University of Nebraska Press; "Road Map to Holland," Jennifer Graf Groneberg, New American Library/Penguin; "Horses That Buck," Margot Kahn, University of Oklahoma Press. For more information go to: http://highplainsbookawards.org
Event Location: MSU Billings, 1500 University Avenue, Billings, Montana 59101
Graduate of both Dartmouth and John Hopkins University, Native American author Louise Erdrich has been named the 2009 Emeritus Award Writer, one of the annual High Plains Book Awards sponsored by the Parmly Billings Library. Her book, "Love Medicine," has been chosen for The Big Read in Billings this October. The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony and banquet. For more information go to http://www.highplainsbookawards.com/ The Parmly Billings Library’s High Plains Books Awards have been established to recognize regional authors and/or literary works which examine and reflect life on the High Plains including the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The Parmly Billings Library and the YMCA Writer’s Voice also selected Louise Erdrich first novel, Love Medicine for The Big Read, a project of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Native American theme of this year’s High Plains BookFest is derived from Love Medicine. Concurrent with the Parmly Billings Library Book Awards is the 7th annual BookFest sponsored by the YMCA Writer’s Voice. For information on the BookFest contact Corby Skinner corby@skinnerbenoit.com The BookFest and The Big Read are designed to engage new audiences, and foster conversations about how literature addresses the challenges, rewards and many unique aspects of Native American life.
Event Location: Montana State University-Billings, Billings, Montana 59101
12 noon, Saturday, October 3 MSU-Billings- downtown campus – 3rd Avenue North and Broadway High Plains Book Award Fiction and First Book Finalists Professor Sue Hart - moderator Kyleah’s Tree, Janet Muirhead Hill Founder of Raven Publishing Inc., Hill was born and raised in Colorado and attended Montana State University where she majored in English. She is currently an author of children’s literature and teaches the “True Fiction” novel writing-workshop. Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles, John Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick is a native of Anaconda, Montana and he has worked as a lobbyist for the utility, telecommunications and metal mining industries. “For the first time, here are the long-lost records of four intriguing mysteries solved by the famous English detective Sherlock Holmes when he traveled to Montana in the late 1800s. Using his inimitable eye for clues, his astounding deductive reasoning, and – when necessary – clever subterfuge, Holmes solves a very public murder at the famous Opera House, a supernatural theft of gold at a mine near Georgetown Lake, the disturbing threats to Copper King Marcus Daly’s most famous racehorse, and the sudden odd behavior of a miner’s wife.” – Riverbend Publishing 1:30pm, Saturday, October 3 MSU-Billings- downtown campus – 3rd Avenue North and Broadway High Plains Book Award Poetry Finalists: A tribute reading to the poets Craig Arnold, Patricia Goedicke and Isa Millman Burt Bradley – moderator, Christine Holbert, Rebecca Lindenberg, Tami Haaland, Mandy Smoker, Bernie Quetchenbach and Cara Chamberlain Made Flesh, Craig Arnold Yale educated Craig Arnold is an award-winning poet whose first book, Shells, won the 1998 Yale Younger Poets Award. He was also a professor at the University of Wyoming. Prairie Kaddish, Isa Milman Winner of the 2005 Canadian Jewish Book Award, Milman is an artist, poet and occupational therapist. She was born in 1949 in Germany in a Displaced Persons Camp. She now lives in Victoria, B.C. Isa Milman uses historical and personal awakening, and archival sleuthing, to create a "kaddish" - a Jewish prayer of mourning and commemoration - for a prairie community that now exists only through remembrance. The Baseball Field at Night, Patricia Goedicke Former student of W.H. Auden and Robert Frost, longtime professor of poetry at the University of Montana, the late Patricia Geodicke wrote thirteen books. The last was The Baseball Fields at Night. 3pm, Saturday, October 3 MSU-Billings- downtown campus – 3rd Avenue North and Broadway High Plains Book Awards Non-Fiction Finalists: Jennifer Groneberg, Bayard Fox, Margaret Hryniuk, Frank Korvemaker and Larry Easton Road Map to Holland, Jennifer Graf Groneberg An advocate for children with disabilities Groneberg is a woman of many trades, including; writer, secretary, home school teacher, mailman, waitress, and librarian. When Jennifer Groneberg and her husband Tom learned they'd be having twin boys, their main concern was whether they'd need an addition on their house. Then, five days after Avery and Bennett were born, Avery was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Road Map to Holland is the story of what follows. Montana author Jennifer Graf Groneberg offers a wealth of insight, information, and even practical resources for families whose children have Down syndrome. Rich with honesty, wisdom, and a deep appreciation for every day miracles, Road Map to Holland is a thoughtful, moving meditation on the struggles and joys Groneberg and her family experienced during her son Avery’s first two years. Wind River Country, Bayard Fox Wind River Country, Hidden Heart of Wyoming is a 176 page book containing hundreds of color pictures by Claude Poulet, the award winning French photographer who fell in love with this country and has spent much of his time here for the last 25 years. The lengthy and informative text is by Bayard Fox, owner of the Bitterroot Ranch. Legacy of Stone, Margaret Hryniuk, Frank Korvemaker and Larry Easton In words and stunning color photographs, this book tells the history and the current reality of over 50 fieldstone buildings in Saskatchewan. The book is made up of stories of the buildings:¬ farmhouses, homes in urban communities, places of worship, public buildings and ruins. Margaret Hryniuk uses her years of experience in journalism to present factual yet fascinating accounts of the buildings and what is known of the people who put them there. Larry Easton’s spectacular photographs bring these beautiful stone buildings to life, and Frank Korvemaker examines the dimensions and differences of the fieldstone that inhabits the Saskatchewan landscape.
Event Location: Montana State University-Billings downtown campus, Billings, Montana 59101
One of four films in our film festival at Parmly Billings Library. Saturday, October 3 2pm, Parmly Billings Library, 3rd Floor Native American Film Series Smoke Signals (1998) On a Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, reservation, not much changes -- until the estranged father of Victor Joseph bites the dust in Arizona, and Victor must go collect the cremated remains. Trouble is, Victor can't afford the fare. But annoying nerd Thomas Builds-the-Fire will float Victor a loan … if Thomas can tag along. This tender tale of self-discovery is based on acclaimed author Sherman Alexie's short stories.
Event Location: Parmly Billings Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings, Montana 59101
The final event of the 7th annual High Plains BookFest is an opportunity for local writers to present their own work to an appreciative audience eating delicious food at the McCormick Cafe. Hosted by THE ROOK - MSU-Billings' student literary magazine.
Event Location: McCormick Cafe, Billings, Montana 59101
The YMCA Writer’s Voice is pleased to announce the focus of the 7th annual High Plains BookFest and The Big Read will be Native American culture, history, literature and art. In addition to numerous book discussions, and public readings, we will be offering a mini festival of films about Native American life. The films will be shown on Saturday afternoons at 2 pm at the Parmly Billings Library starting October 3rd. The Parmly Billings Library, a community anchor that serves as a center of engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning, will host a Native American themed mini-film festival in conjunction with the Big Read activities. The films will also be available to check out from the library. The films will be shown on Saturday afternoons at 2 pm starting October 3rd. SCHEDULE: October 3 “Smoke Signals” October 10 “Pow Wow Highway” October 24 “Skins” October 31 “Little Big Man” Additional films about Native American life will be available for checkout at the Parmly Billings Library. Powwow Highway (1989) This offbeat road film, first released in 1989 and awarded the Filmmaker's Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival, tracks the journey of mellow Philbert Bono (Gary Farmer), a Montana Cheyenne tribe member who has to drive hundreds of miles to pick up a sister arrested in Santa Fe. Accompanying him is the intensely political Buddy Red Bow (A Martinez). Together, the two discover that they have much to learn from each other about life and strife
Event Location: Parmly Billings Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings, Montana 59101
The instructor for this workshop is Christene Meyers, the creator and former editor of the Billings Gazette Enjoy magazine, who is a veteran of over 40 years in the newspaper business. Chris has continued her travel writing, presently free lancing with a variety of magazines, including Western Art and Architecture. A world traveler, she brings to her workshop knowledge about all aspects of traveling-and writing about her remarkable experiences. Her recent work in short fiction and poetry are indeed mined from her own personal Montana family history and remembrances. She has currently been accepted into a special poetry writing class at Sarah Lawrence University. Cost of the workshop is $25. Lunch is $12. To register contact Laila Nelson, YMCA Writer's Voice, 406-248-1685 ext. 231 or email corbyskinner@yahoo.com
Event Location: Big Yellow House, Absarokee, Montana 59001
The instructor for this workshop is Christene Meyers, the creator and former editor of the Billings Gazette Enjoy magazine, who is a veteran of over forty years in the newspaper business. Chris has continued her travel writing, presently free lancing with a variety of magazines. A world traveler, she brings to her workshop knowledge about all aspects of traveling-and writing about her remarkable experiences. Her recent work in short fiction and poetry are indeed mined from her own personal Montana family history and remembrances. Cost of the workshop is $25, lunch is $12. To register contact Laila Nelson, YMCA Writer's Voice, 406-248-1685, ext. 231 or email: corbyskinner@yahoo.com.
Event Location: Moss Mansion, Billings, Montana 59101
Event Location: Parmly Billings Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings, Montana 59101
Event Location: Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana 59102
Event Location: Barnes & Noble, Billings, Montana 59102
Event Location: Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana 59102
Event Location: Castle Rock Middle School, Billings, Montana 59105
Come discuss "Love Medicine" with leader Kathleen Garibay!
Event Location: YMCA, 402 North 32nd, Billings, Montana 59101
One of two discussions on "Love Medicine" by Louise Erdrich.
Event Location: Stillwater County Library, 42 North 4th Street, Columbus, Montana 59019
This workshop grew from Louise Erdrich's depiction of Native American life in all of her novels, particularly "Love Medicine" and "Tracks," in which the influence of dynamic individuals on the lives of the tribe over generations is central. Small towns like Powell, Wyoming, which can trace their beginnings back a hundred years, still have in their communities the living sons and daughters of the original settlers. Today, these men and women, not unlike tribal elders, have lived lives that comprise the majority of the community's history and cultural memory. Through a series of interviews, the rich lives of these town elders have been brought to light through portraits, both visual and written. Poet Burt Bradley and visual artist John Giarrizzo will present their portraits in a workshop discussion about the process of interviewing, drawing and writing about the elders of our communities. Bradley and Giarrizzo are on the faculty of Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. To register, call the YMCA Writer's Voice, 406-248-1685 ext. 231 or email corbyskinner@yahoo.com. Cost is $25.
Event Location: Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, Montana 59101
Event Location: Parmly Billings Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings, Montana 59101
THE BIG READ – Movies at the Parmly Billings Library The YMCA Writer’s Voice is pleased to announce the focus of the 7th annual High Plains BookFest and The Big Read will be Native American culture, history, literature and art. In addition to numerous book discussions, and public readings, we will be offering a mini festival of films about Native American life. The films will be shown on Saturday afternoons at 2 pm at the Parmly Billings Library starting October 3rd. The Parmly Billings Library, a community anchor that serves as a center of engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning, will host a Native American themed mini-film festival in conjunction with the Big Read activities. The films will also be available to check out from the library. The films will be shown on Saturday afternoons at 2 pm starting October 3rd. SCHEDULE: October 3 “Smoke Signals” October 10 “Pow Wow Highway” October 24 “Skins” October 31 “Little Big Man” Additional films about Native American life will be available for checkout at the Parmly Billings Library. Skins (2002) Lakota Sioux tribal police officer Rudy Yellow Lodge (Eric Schweig) struggles to rescue his older brother, Mogie (Graham Greene), a former football star who returned from Vietnam a cripple and now seeks only to drown his sorrows. This powerful story about life on a barren South Dakokta reservation is one of drama and activism, filled with humor and integrity and painted with vivid details of Native American life, spirit and myth.
Event Location: Parmly Billings Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings, Montana 59101
Come discuss "Love Medicine" with leader Kathleen Garibay!
Event Location: YMCA, 402 North 32nd, Billings, Montana 59101
THE BIG READ – Movies at the Parmly Billings Library The YMCA Writer’s Voice is pleased to announce the focus of the 7th annual High Plains BookFest and The Big Read will be Native American culture, history, literature and art. In addition to numerous book discussions, and public readings, we will be offering a mini festival of films about Native American life. The films will be shown on Saturday afternoons at 2 pm at the Parmly Billings Library starting October 3rd. The Big Read highlights not only literature, but also what can be accomplished in partnership when libraries and civic organization work together. Many nonprofits, local governments, and media outlets around the country partner with the NEA to present hundreds of Big Read projects nationwide in an effort to continuing this transformative dialogue between neighbors and across cultural borders. The Parmly Billings Library, a community anchor that serves as a center of engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning, will host a Native American themed mini-film festival in conjunction with the Big Read activities. The films will also be available to check out from the library. The films will be shown on Saturday afternoons at 2 pm starting October 3rd. SCHEDULE: October 3 “Smoke Signals” October 10 “Pow Wow Highway” October 24 “Skins” October 31 “Little Big Man” Little Big Man (1970) This popular movie, filmed near Billings, is a droll but critical parable about the bloody consequences of American expansionism in the Old West. Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman), a 121-year-old Indian living in a rest home, recounts the amazing tale of being the Battle of Little Bighorn's sole white survivor. Reared by the Cheyenne from the age of 10 only to be snatched by whites at age 15, Crabb spends his life journeying between the two cultures in an effort to find his place in the world. Additional films about Native American life will be available for checkout at the Parmly Billings Library. Cheyenne Autumn (1964); A Man Called Horse (1970) ; Dances With Wolves (1990); Black Robe (1991); The Last of the Mohicans (1992); Dance Me Outside (1995); Wind River (1998)
Event Location: Parmly Billings Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings, Montana 59101
Novelist Russell Rowland ("In Open Spaces," "The Watershed Years") and social worker Diane Arkava, MSW, social worker and therapist, will lead a workshop called "Writing for Your Life," which explores the value of keeping a journal. The workshop will cover the history of journaling, all the way back to the days of hieroglyphics, and present exercises in both writing and processing what you write to find your own personal story and what it means to you. We will also be exploring how the process of keeping a journal can be personally tailored to fit what you are looking to accomplish with your writing, or with the process of healing from events in your life. To register, call the YMCA Writer's Voice, 406-248-1685 ext. 231 or email corbyskinner@yahoo.com. Cost is $25.
Event Location: Pictograph Cave State Park Visitors Center, Billings, Montana 59101
