Minot State University Supports Native American Powwow

An article in the Minot Daily News this morning drew my interest because the praise given to my friend Wylie Hammond. I got to know Wylie from church activities. His gracious Bride became a minister what many would consider quite late in a working career but she is perfect for the position as a very kind and wise person. Wylie is much the same and to support his wife they moved out to nowhere so she could serve 3 small churches. Minot State University recently had a powwow to support Native Americans in Minot and the surrounding area. MSU added the Native American Center in 1996 with the help of Wylie Hammond and several other people. Hammond has supported the Minot State and Mayville State Native American Centers as director for over the past 15 years. Hammond was able to draw the academic and administrative side closer to Native people and culture by being a liaison between Minot State and the many tribal colleges.

From that, a number of institutional committees were developed working with those tribal colleges. Memorandums of understanding with the Turtle Mountain Community College, in Belcort; the United Tribes Technical Center, in Bismarck; And the Fort Berthold Community College, in New Town, were penned through his work. Wylie had been the Director of Minot States Native American Studies and resigned after his last appearance of the powwow. The MSU Native American Center is currently accepting applications for a new director. Wylie Hammond will guide the new director to help him or her get on their feet.