Museum of the Rockies celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day with art, culture, fashion

BOZEMAN - The Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University will commemorate Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, Oct. 12, with programs celebrating Indigenous art, culture and contemporary fashion, culminating in the unveiling of a new exhibition in Paugh History Hall.

The day will begin with a youth celebration from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum. Families can hear the creation story of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, create turtle rocks and participate in beading crafts and sensory activities exploring the significance of color in Little Shell-Métis and Northern Cheyenne beadwork. The event is included with museum admission or membership, and registration is suggested.

At 7:30 p.m., the museum will present its first Indigenous Peoples' Day Fashion Show, featuring MSU alumna Angela Howe, designer of the Choke Cherry Creek brand and a member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) and Pikuni (Blackfeet) nations. International designer, artisan and model Rebekah Jarvey, a member of the Chippewa Cree tribe who has Blackfeet heritage, will also be featured. Their designs bring indigenous artistry together with contemporary fashion and expressions of cultural pride. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the show, and general admission tickets cost $15.  

Following the runway show, guests are invited to a reception with local indigenous vendors and the unveiling of the exhibit "Getting Dressed: What Women Wear to Meet the World" in Paugh History Hall. From a 1930s snowsuit to a 2022 couture gown, "Getting Dressed" explores how clothing reflects culture, identity and personal expression across the Northern Rockies. The exhibit is curated by the Museum of the Rockies.

For additional information and registration, visit the Museum of the Rockies' website.