Montana native students realizing the power of higher education

Jim Boyd strummed the last few chords on his guitar as he finished a song on stage at a Missoula night club.

He looked at the people filling nearly every seat in the house. Then he asked: “What are you all doing here on a school night?”

“Research,” called out Buffalo Child, a Canadian Cree and a communications major at the University of Montana who was sitting next to me, sipping a Coca Cola.

Yes, it was a Wednesday, a school night.

My table reflected a college crowd — professors, students and others who arrived for a night of music with outstanding performers, including Boyd, a Native American Music Award-winner who was performing with the duo Irene and Deni.

Many of the people I sat with at The Other Side had just finished attending a welcome-back-to-school picnic for Native students.

It’s that time of year, when the rush of students returning to school can be felt throughout the city.

By JODI RAVE

Full Story: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/09/10/montana/a10091006_03.txt