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Canku Ota |
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(Many Paths) |
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An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
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July 14, 2001 - Issue 40 |
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Group Bridges Indian Lifestyles |
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by JAMES HAGENGRUBER Of The Billings Gazette Staff-June 28, 2001 |
 BILLINGS,
MT - Michael LaFromboise wants to help other young people walk the rickety bridge between traditional American
Indian culture and western values. While earning a degree from MSU-Billings, LaFromboise was hired as executive director of the Billings-based Montana United Indian Association. The program serves as a clearinghouse for a variety of training and educational programs available to the thousands of off-reservation American Indians living in Montana. “My main push is education,” said LaFromboise, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe. “The only way I see people getting ahead is by having an education. We want the American dream, just like everybody else.” Many Indians feel conflicted about leaving homes on the reservation to pursue jobs and education, he said. Life on the reservation is comfortable and full of family activities, but jobs are scarce. LaFromboise said groups such as the Montana United Indian Association can offer assistance to people grappling with such questions. In his own case, LaFromboise said he is finding balance by meeting frequently with other Indian professionals in Billings. “I practice my Blackfeet way of life, but it’s difficult being here in Billings because I’m not with my language, my customs, my people, but I also want to live in this world,” he said. “Off the reservation, we are people living in a society that’s not designed for us.” The organization was started in 1969 to help off-reservation Indians with a variety of job-training and educational programs. Outreach offices are also located in Butte, Helena, Miles City and Great Falls. In May, LaFromboise earned a degree in management and communications. He’s now trying to find a way to fuse these skills with traditional values. “The way I was brought up, I don’t talk to my elders like you do in western society,” he said. “I told my staff that, but I also told them I want us to be successful based on my western teachings and my Blackfeet way. It’s difficult.” The Montana United Indian Association is based in Broadway Place, at 207 N. Broadway. For more information, call (406) 247-5068 or visit www.muia.org |
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| Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107. | ||
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Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry. |
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The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the |
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Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001 of Paul C. Barry. |
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All Rights Reserved. |
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