"One component of ["Explore the Big Sky"] that starts today, however, would shine brightly in its own spotlight if it stood alone.

It is a three-day symposium at the University of Great Falls titled, "American Indian Nations: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

And the list of speakers and participants suggests that it is one of the most significant gatherings of prominent North American Indian leaders in decades.

Most of the symposium's sessions are open to people holding passes for EBS events, which cost $15 a day.

But listening to nine headliners � including Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills (11:30 a.m. Saturday); Emil Her Many Horses, present curator of the NMAI (11 a.m. today); John Herrington, the first Native American astronaut (10 a.m. Saturday); and Elouise Cobell, director of the Native American Community Development Corp. and lead plaintiff in the national trust fund lawsuit (1 p.m. Sunday) � will cost an additional $25 a day.

Kicking things off this morning will be former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, talking about engaging Indians in national politics."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Indian symposium an eye-opener (The Great Falls Tribune 7/1)

Relevant Links:
Explore the Big Sky - http://www.explorethebigsky.org
Stop Lewis and Clark - http://www.stoplewisandclark.org
Corps of Discovery II - http://www.nps.gov/lecl/CorpsII/Corps2.htm

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