Montana Indian Education Association Annual Awards

Award Winners for Montana Indian Education Association. Awards were presented at the 2003 MIEA Conference at Helena, Mt.

Indian Educator of Year:

Dorothy Still Smoking, Ed.D

Dorothy is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe and is the Director of the Blackfeet Native American Studies Program. She also coordinates Drop Out Prevention and Character Education.

In her work and community efforts, Dr. Still Smoking has always brought true leadership skills to the table. She takes her profession seriously and promotes Blackfeet Education for All. Dr. Still Smoking contributes many hours of volunteer work in the community to such groups as the Blackfeet Boys and Girls Club.

Indian Teacher of the Year:

Joseph Anderson

Joe is a Blackfeet Indian and has been a teacher for over 25 years. He is an English teacher at Helena High Schools and also teaches Drivers Education. In the classroom Joe’s students have been treated to Indian Literature before MCA 20-1-501. he use the talking circle as a method to encourage discussion in his class and has been excited to see how this traditional native learning strategy ahs applicability in our modern world.

Ms Thelma Bear Medicine.

Thelma is a Blackfeet Indian and is employed at the KW Bergan Elementary School as a Class 7 Blackfeet Language Teacher. She has worked 30 years as a Teacher Assistant. She is a member of the Young Grey Horse Singers and loves to sing and go to pow-wows as well as other cultural activities.

Indian Elder of the Year

Johnny Arlee

Johnny is a teacher, healer and spiritual leader for the confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.. He started the Salish Culture Committee, founded Yamncut, a drum group that sings at pow-wows, teaches year-long cultural leadership classes at Salish Kootenai College and wrote a pageant that will give spectators a glimpse into the rich lives the Salish and Pen d’Oreille led before they had contact with many white people and their meeting with the Lewis and Clark expedition. The name of the pageant Arlee wrote is “The Salish/Pend d’ Oreille Meet Lewis & Clark

Indian College Student of the Year

Jacklyn Bird

Jacklyn is a Blackfeet/Tlingit and Haida Indian. She is a junior at the University of Great Falls pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Her accomplishments have proven that a Native American athlete can succeed both academically and athletically in a collegiate setting. Her ability to prioritize and make good choices while remaining steadfastly committed to her goal of earning a college diploma distinguishes Miss Bird as an outstanding example of a successful Native American college student.

Student of the Year:

Alphonse Obey

Alphonse Obey is Gros Ventre and Canadian Cree. He is a senior at Harlem High School. He is President of the Indian club. Vice president of First Nations Youth Council, a member of the Cross Country and Boys Basketball teams. He was a founding member of the Wildcat Indian Dance Troup. This group did presentations for 3 years in schools and rest homes, at Nation and area meetings and performed at the Miss Montana Pageant. He is recognized as cultural and spiritual leader in his community.