Families had an amazing evening creating crafts, laughing together, and enjoying a festive night of fun. We are so grateful for everyone who came out and made the event special.
🎄 Coming up next:
Christmas Crafts for Hardin Schools will take place next Tuesday, 11/9/26. We can’t wait to celebrate with even more families!
A huge thank-you to all the families who attended and helped make the night memorable.
This month’s Literacy Night is extra special! Crow Agency Public School teachers and staff will lead families and community members in exploring Ammiláau, our dynamic e-learning platform that brings the Crow language to life. Developed with Crow educators, linguists, and community advocates and in partnership with Crow Language Consortium, The Language Conservancy, Little Big Horn College, and the Crow Tribe, Ammiláau combines recordings, images, dialogues, and expert guidance to help students connect with their language and culture. Now you can see it in action! This platform is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program (NAM).
CAPS Literacy Night is part of the Ammaaleíéhkuua (“Place We Go for Knowledge”) Project, a five-year language revitalization initiative created through a grant written by Dr. Cummins during his time as Principal and the Language Consortium. This project strengthens the Apsáalooke dual-language immersion program through new curriculum, cultural picture books, proficiency assessments, and professional development for teachers and families.
Come see how Ammiláau brings our language and culture to life. See you there!
During their holiday break, our dedicated teachers spent time training to implement Ammiláau, meaning “our language” in Crow (Apsáalooke).
Ammiláau is a dynamic e-learning platform that brings the Crow language to life. Developed in collaboration with Little Big Horn College, Crow educators, linguists, and community advocates, it draws on years of recordings, images, dialogues, and expert input to support learning both inside and outside the classroom. Some of our teachers are already using Ammiláau to help students connect with their language and culture. The platform is funded by a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program (NAM).
Crow Agency Public School continues to build on the vision of the Ammaaleíéhkuua (“Place We Go for Knowledge”) Project, a five-year language revitalization initiative created through a grant written by Dr. Cummins during his time as Principal and the Language Consortium. This project strengthens the Apsáalooke dual-language immersion program by developing new curriculum, cultural picture books, proficiency assessments, and a digital learning platform. It also provides professional development and family literacy opportunities to support language growth across the community.
Teachers/Staff: Jennifer Bohlman, Cindy Bear Cloud, Dominica Bear Crane, April Chandler, Rochelle Deputy, Sunny Gardner, Nicolette Haleyalbung, Cherlee Iron House, Clarena Hugs, Lavonna Little Owl, Carrie Old Coyote, Jolauna Pickett, Ruby Peterson, Nicole Real Bird, Reva Not Afraid, Christina Turnsplenty, and Regina Yarlott. Facilitators: Amberly Howe & Bianka Rock Above
We are thrilled to bring these powerful resources into our classrooms to help keep our language strong, alive, and thriving for future generations. Thank you to our amazing educators for their dedication to our students, our culture, and our future. Special thanks to Crow Agency Public School Principal Sherry Foote for her continued support, and to our trainers Bob Rugh and Jamie Marquez-Bratcher of The Language Conservancy for guiding this learning experience. Ahóoh
Our students celebrated Native American Heritage Month with beautiful and talented dancers from Hardin schools. We’re grateful for this meaningful celebration.
A huge thank you to the KRC/Primary IEFA Committees for their outstanding planning: Ms. Hanson, Mrs. Iron, Miss GoodLuck, Miss. Haleyalbung, Mrs. Wagenaar, Mrs. Benson, Mr. Holds the Enemy, Miss Chavez, Miss Stewart, Mrs. Pretty On Top, Miss Two Leggins, Ms. Pretty On Top, and Tina Pretty On Top and Principal Roxanne Not Afraid for her dedication for her commitment and support. Your dedication made this celebration meaningful and memorable for our students and community!
Students experienced a beautiful celebration of culture, stories, and tradition. The day began with the story of the Teepee, and Acorn HoldsTheEnemy brought it to life through setup and teaching.
Presentations and activities included:
Buffalo Presentation – Sunny Gardner
Story Time – Lark Real Bird Paz
Dancing & Singing – Starry Round Face and Julian Blacksmith, Wolfbear and Buzzy Covers Up
Students wrapped up the day with berry pudding, organized by Marlo Sprang and prepared with the Kitchen Staff, along with warm frybread made by Jana Alden, a delicious way to end a meaningful celebration.
We appreciated the KRC IEFA Committee Tina Pretty On Top and Dean of Students Tiffany Schroeder for organizing this wonderful event, with special thanks to Principal Roxanne Not Afraid for her support.
Indian Education for All Learning Centers at the Big Horn Academy
Over the past two days, students and staff participated in meaningful and culturally rich IEFA Learning Centers, engaging in hands-on learning that supported identity, creativity, and cultural understanding.
We offer our gratitude to the presenters who shared their teachings, talent, and time with our learners:
Les Left Hand – Spoke on identity, the importance of knowing who you are, and offered a smudge for our group.
Autumn Whiteman – Guided students in crafting their own earrings. Vanessa Afraid of Bear, Miss Crow Nation – Presented on Parfleche and traditional design teachings.
Christy Morse – Led students in creating Native Christmas ornaments.
Thank you to the following teachers and staff for your participation and continued commitment to IEFA: Jill Wegner, Christy Morse, Mark John Bayaban, Juvi Mula, Mary Price, Sariah TwoLeggins Dawes, Autumn Whiteman, and Lavern Old Elk. With appreciation to Principal Taylor Sidwell for supporting and encouraging this learning opportunity.
We continue this journey together, lifting culture, honoring identity, and learning through tradition.
Hardin Intermediate School Cultural Learning Day Highlights
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, students explored traditions and hands-on learning through engaging centers:
💧 We Are Water Protectors – environmental stewardship
🌌 The Star People – Native astronomy and storytelling
💎 Choker-Making – students crafted traditional chokers
🖌️ Ledger Art – teachers guided students in history and technique
🐂 Bison Range and the Flathead Reservation Lesson – Teacher Jenna Feller on bison and their importance to the land and culture
Special Guest: Dan Dan Brien presented on hunting, emphasizing respect for the land and safety
👏 Special thanks to Tia Ware and the Intermediate IEFA Committee (Alyssa Pretty Weasel, Jackie Spint, Jenna Feller, Jamie Chandler, Alex Other Medicine) for their excellent planning, with support from Principal Angie Egbert and Dean of Students Victoria Chavez.
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, students enjoyed a meaningful day of hands-on cultural learning:
🧺 Lullabies & Cradleboard — Mary Iron and Mrs. Benson
🌟 Peyote Stitch & Beading — Vanessa and Acorn
💎 Beadwork — Amber White
🐎 Old-Time Saddle — Joree LaFrance
🎶 Hand Games — Chauncey Little Light, Scotty Dawes
🕺 Push Dance — Lana Stand & HMS Indigenous Club and CJ Other Medicine
🍞 Indian Pudding & Frybread — Amy Hanson
👏 Special thanks to Amy Hanson and the Primary IEFA Committee for their excellent planning, with support from Principal Roxanne Not Afraid.
✨ A wonderful celebration of culture, community, and tradition!
A few of our 2025–2026 Hardin District Royalty proudly represented at the Billings Powwow this weekend!
👑 Crow Agency School Princess: McKenzie Charette
👑 Hardin Primary Princess: Coulee Brown
👑 Hardin Intermediate Princess: Ivory Walks Over Ice
👑 Hardin Middle School Princess: Lilly Robles Diaz
Way to shine, ladies! #GoBulldogs 🖤🧡
A huge thank you to all the amazing teachers and staff for making the evening so special and inspiring a love for reading:
Lavonna Little Owl, Rochelle Deputy, Regina Yarlott, Nicole Real Bird, Ruby Peterson, Carrie Old Coyote, Dominica Bear Crane, Cindy Bear Cloud, Joluana Picket, Clarena Hugs, Cherlee Iron Horse, Jennifer Bohlman, Christina Turns Plenty, Sunny Gardner, Kenny Shane, and Konolly Shane.
Shout-out to all these amazing individuals: Amberly Howe (working behind the scenes to manage and process all event-related paperwork), Principal Sherry Foote for her support in making this event possible, and Danetta Jane Half Holds Catering for a delicious Turkey Dinner, it was so good!
Thank you to all who danced during the celebration of Native American Month. We want to recognize our dancers who were in their beautiful regalia.
Men’s Styles
• Grass – Sodizin MedicineBull
• Fancy – Chitat Killsback
• Chicken – Dominic Eastman
• Crow Style – Julian Blacksmith
• Traditional – Steffan WalksOverIce
Women’s Styles
• Jingle – StarryKnight
• Fancy – Marilyn Rogers
• Crow Style – Amber OldHorn
• Traditional – Amber OldHorn
Royalty
• Crow Agency School Princess – McKenzie Charette
• Junior Girls – Everlee Chasing Hawk
Thank you to photographer Eva Hoops.
🇺🇸 Veterans Day Event Highlights 🇺🇸
We are grateful to the veterans who joined us as we honored their service, strength, and sacrifice. Your presence made this year’s Veterans Day truly meaningful for our students and community. Hardin High School and the High School Indian Club, with sponsor Robin Shield, hosted and planned this special event, creating a powerful space to recognize and uplift those who have served.
We were honored to welcome the following veterans:
Standford Rides Horse – USMC
Johnathan Lawton – U.S. Army
Angela Regalado – U.S. Air Force
Harry Lee RockAbove – U.S. Army
Mary Louise LaForge – U.S. Air Force
Tom Gould – U.S. Army
Arthur Alden – U.S. Army & MACV Team 37
Larry Torske – U.S. Army
Kim Hammond – U.S. Army
Richard H. Chapple Sr. – U.S. Army
William Molina Jr. – U.S. Army
Rose Hill Deibert - Navy
Ahóoh to all our veterans.
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
November 17–21, 2025
Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for coming together to celebrate all week long. At Crow School, we explored various aspects of heritage through fashion, clans, dance, relays, and hands-on traditional activities.
MONDAY, NOV. 17 — Indigenous Fashion Day
The week began with an all-school assembly. Students participated in the Indigenous Fashion Show and wore Indigenous designs and prints.
TUESDAY, NOV. 18 — Clan Day
Students and staff wore their clan colors.
Classrooms held Clan Day presentations where teachers taught about the Apsáalooke clans. We were honored to welcome Burt Medicine Bull, Setovaatse, a Northern Cheyenne professor, who shared about the cultural structures, values, and traditions important within the Northern Cheyenne Nation.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19 — Dance Exhibition
Dance exhibition featuring Special Guest Drum Group: Night Hawk Jrz.
Mens’ Styles:
• Grass – Sodizin MedicineBull
• Fancy – Chitat Killsback
• Chicken – Dominic Eastman (HHS Student)
• Crow Style – Julian Blacksmith
• Traditional – Steffan WalksOverIce
Womens’ Styles:
• Jingle – StarryKnight
• Fancy – Marilyn Rogers
• Crow Style – Amber OldHorn
• Traditional – Amber OldHorn
THURSDAY, NOV. 20 — Indian Relay Day
We honored the athleticism and tradition of Indian Relay racing with:
Timothy Birdinground - shout out to our very own CAPS employee
Tristan Birdinground
Tronnes Birdinground
Houston Birdinground
Weston Birdinground
FRIDAY, NOV. 21 — Cultural Craft Day
Teachers will lead cultural activities in classrooms. Some students have already started their choker necklaces.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to Principal Sherry Foote, the CAPS IEFA Committee, and the dedicated staff for creating a wonderful celebration. A HUGE thank you to Sunny Gardner, whose dedication to preparing and setting up each day ensured a seamless and uplifting week for the students and staff.
We would like to invite you to stop by the Family Engagement Center! If you need help with applications, resources, or would like to use a computer or printer, we are here for you. Please come by, say hello, and feel free to ask us any questions you may have — we are always happy to help!
We also have some exciting upcoming events:
🎉 Grandparents Bingo
🎄 Christmas Crafts
We hope to see you soon!
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