AMERICAN PRAIRIE TO HOST PRESENTATION ABOUT GROS VENTRE “SENSE OF PLACE”
Terry Brockie of Fort Belknap Indian Community to examine Central Montana place names tied to Gros Ventre culture and history

American Prairie is pleased to host “A Sense of Place: Exploring the Place Names of ’Ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinénn ɔh in Central-Montana” on Thursday, February 26, at 7 pm. This informative presentation by esteemed Aaniiih tribal member and educator Terry Brockie will be held at the National Discovery Center, located at 302 W Main Street in Lewistown, Montana. Admission is free.
In this important presentation, Terry Brockie, will lead an examination of a place-based learning experience from the perspective of the ’Ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinénn ɔh, an Indigenous Tribe commonly known as the Gros Ventre, or Aaniiih, who currently reside on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Since time immemorial, Indigenous People have called Central Montana home, a place where their culture and history are tied to the land. Here, there exist many stories particular to the surrounding landscape, woven through various mountain ranges, rivers, and places, each with historical significance to a particular Tribe. Brockie explains that there are places where their ancestors traditionally rested, specific buffalo jumps they utilized, places where they could gain spiritual power to heal or to protect, or a sheltered river valley that allowed them to winter safely. He further explains that Indigenous People often believe that a supreme power purposefully guides them, placing the Tribe in a particular area where enough is provided for them to survive and thrive. On February 26, Mr. Brockie will share these stories to help us understand the connections between culture, history, and place.
About the Presenter
Terry Brockie, a member of the Aaniiih Nation on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, currently teaches his native language at Aaniiih Nakoda College and serves as a consultant in education and Tribal economic development. He is deeply involved in language revitalization and Tribal history. He also actively participates in his Tribe’s ceremonies.

The National Discovery Center is located at 302 W. Main Street in Lewistown and is open Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Visit americanprairie.org/national-discovery-center to learn more, and follow American Prairie on Facebook for updates on upcoming events and programming.