Native America Speaks Presenters

Darnell and Smokey Rides At The Door

Darnell Rides At The Door

Darnell, or NiiTooKimNee (Lone Camper), is a respected Pikunii (Blackfeet) woman and comes from the Buffalo Chip band. Apprenticed to her elders who have gone before her, she is dedicated to continuing the legacy of a rich and powerfully beautiful way of life. Focusing on a greater understanding of the Pikunii World View, Darnell is driven to balance the best of both worlds.

As an Ookaan (Medicine Lodge), Thunder and Beaver Medicine Women, painted Lodge Owner, and member of many Pikunii core groups, Darnell shares the history of a proud people. She is a consultant for education, culture, traditions, Pikunii herbology and ethnobotany. She is a certified and licensed message therapist and Reiki Master.

Darnell is the honored matriarch of her family of five accomplished adults, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, all of whom continue to take pride creating stability and equity in their heritage and world lifestyles of today. Darnell and her husband, Smokey, reside west of Kipp’s Lake near the ancient wagon road crossing the Springhill Campsite of her ancestors. They have a consulting business and recently assisted in the production of the book People Before the Park and is currently officially listed as an Ambassador of Goodwill for the Blackfeet Nation.

Smokey Rides At The Door

Smokey is also known as Esstaakawn (Dependable, works for the People) of the Buffalo Back Fat Band of the Ampskapii Pikunii (aka South Peigan/Blackfeet). He is a traditional historian and respected elder who shares the balance of oral traditions of the Pikunii World View and Ways of Knowing as a teacher and mentor to all who are willing to listen, seek and honor. He inherited and carries on the storytelling skills of his Warrior grandfathers. Smokey is an accomplished educator, coach, administrator, business entrepreneur, civic and tribal leader, financial ambassador, and traditional caretaker of ancient teachings and bundles of the Blackfeet. Smokey has served as a board member, tribal councilman, minerals chairman where he has influenced and developed better relationships at the local, county, state and international levels. Smokey holds a degree in Industrial Arts with minors in History and Business. Currently he is listed as an Ambassador of Goodwill / Finance to the Blackfeet Nation.   

 

Steve Arca

Steve (Stipi) was named for his uncle Stephen (Stipn) Small Salmon in 1963. He was raised by his yayaʔ, Mary Beaverhead Small Salmon and his mom, Alice Small Salmon in Ronan, Montana. His father is Jerry Arca of the Skokomish Tribe. Stipi is Ql̓ispé and enrolled in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Stipi started his language path when he was accepted into the Adult Intensive Language Program at Nk̓ʷusm Salish Language School in 2012. With Patlik, Stipn, and his Elders as his teachers, he has found reawakening and vitalization of his identity through his language journey. Through this work, Stipi has found a renewed purpose in life. So much so, that it has become his work. In his last days, Atwen addressed Stipn, Chaney, and Stipi with a request to ensure their work in language education continues. At that time, Atwen shared how proud he was of Stipi’s strength as an orator who talked honestly as a voice of for the Ql̓ispé people.

To aid in this work, Stipi decided to pursue his education while teaching and working full time within the Séliš-Ql̓ispé Culture Committee’s Salish Language Apprentice program. In 2021, he earned an associate’s degree in Salish Language Educator Development and in 2022, a bachelor’s in Native Language Teacher Education. Stipi graduated with his master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an option in Integrated Indigenous Education in July 2023. Shortly after, he moved into a position as Faculty in the Native Language Teacher Education program within the Division of Education at Salish Kootenai College.

To even better ensure he can continue to be a voice for his people, Stipi decided to focus on his doctoral journey in 2024. He continues to serve our Salishan language communities through his doctoral studies and his contractual work. With all of this, Steve is humble and understands that no matter what education a person holds, their success and value rests on how they live the teachings of those who have come before. For Stipi, it has been his yayaʔ, sisileʔ, his uncles, Stipn, Patlik, Stanley, and the many other elders and teachers he has had throughout his lifetime

 

Danielle Antelope

Danielle is a member of the Blackfeet and Eastern Shoshone Tribes and recently graduated from Montana State University with her degree in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems. She is the Executive Director of a local nonprofit, FAST Blackfeet. Danielle acknowledges that Glacier is part of the Blackfeet Nations' home, and the people are connected to the land. She knows that Traditional Ecological Knowledge (native science) is just as real as western science and she will share her Blackfeet traditional knowledge of plants, the history of the Blackfeet people, and family stories.

 

Blackfeet Singers and Dancers

The group continue the long-standing tradition of sharing Blackfeet culture with Glacier National Park visitors through traditional songs and dance. Glacier National Park has been the backyard to the Blackfeet People since long before the park was established. Since the arrival of the first train, the Blackfeet have been here to greet visitors. The Blackfeet Singers and Dancers group has been giving visitors a glimpse of the past with their singing, dancing, and narrative of Glacier National Park for over 25 years.

 

Termaine Edmo 

Termaine is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet/Shoshone Bannock. She is a graduate of the Cuts Wood Immersion School and Blackfeet Community College. Termaine has been an active community member her entire life and her traditional upbringing has led her to be a cultural youth mentor. Termaine is currently the Climate Change Coordinator for the Blackfeet Nation. She believes in keeping the Pikunii way of life alive.

 

Frank Finley

Frank is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes from the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. He is the eldest son of Octave Finley, the Salish War Dance Chief. His mother, Edna, is an expert beadwork artist and crafts person who taught him a great deal about Indian beadwork and jewelry. After graduating from Salish Kootenai College in Environmental Science, he took several art classes to expand his horizons. Frank now teaches at the college and wants to share his cultural background and knowledge.

 

Vernon Finley

Vernon is a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes born and raised on the Flathead Reservation located in northwest Montana. He is a graduate of the University of Montana, Oklahoma City University, and the University of Georgia with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in education. Vernon is a former chairman for the tribe.

 

Don Fish

Don is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, adjunct faculty member teaching Native American Studies at Great Falls College-MSU, and a traditionalist (which means practicing my native culture). Glacier National Park is part of my people’s aboriginal homeland and I feel that it is my obligation to inform non-natives of our people’s way of life and to help with understanding and appreciating the Native American’s belief and philosophy.

 

Jack Gladstone

Jack is “Montana’s Troubadour.” An enrolled member of the Blackfeet Indian Nation, Jack is co-founder Glacier National Park’s “Native America Speaks” program, the longest continuously running indigenous speaker series in National Park Service history. Jack illustrates indigenous culture through music, lyric poetry, and storytelling. His album, Native Anthropology, was honored as “Best Historical Recording” by the Native American Music Association. In 2013, he was presented with the C.M. Russell Heritage Award, recognizing his contributions “to the legacy, culture, life and country of Charlie Russell’s west.” In the same year, Jack founded “Blackfeet Headwaters Alliance”, a local non-profit conservation organization focused on watershed stewardship and conservation on and around the Blackfeet Reservation. Jack was inducted into the University of Washington’s Alumni Hall of Fame, for his “innovations in the field of Speech Communications.” As a scholar-athlete, Jack also was a member of the 1978 Rose Bowl championship team. In 2016, Jack Gladstone received the Governor’s Art Award from the State of Montana. At the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, in 2022, Jack was awarded, from the National Park’s Conservation Association, the prestigious Robin Winks Award “…For sharing and elevating the rich culture and history of Western land and peoples through art, storytelling and song.” In 2023, Jack was inducted into the Montana Music Hall of Fame.

 

Mariah Gladstone

Mariah is a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana and the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. She has been speaking and performing in and around the park since she was 4 years old and continues to share Blackfeet stories across the country. Mariah graduated from Columbia University and currently focuses her efforts in cultural revitalization and Indigenous foods.

 

Robert Hall

Robert works for the Browning Public Schools as the Director of Blackfeet Native American Studies. He is proficient in the Blackfoot Language.

 

Raven Heavy Runner

Raven is an enrolled Blackfeet member and was a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school youth, Seattle street kid, U.S. Army veteran, LGB activist, stage actor, Two-Spirit leader, Native activist, college graduate, social worker, and storyteller. He was partly raised on the Blackfeet Reservation with his grandparents. Since his grandparents did not have a TV, his grandfather would entertain the kids with stories of Napi and the dog days (prior to horses). Oral history and storytelling permeated Raven’s childhood. In his stories, his grandfather and his people live on. As said by Chief Dan George, “If the legends fall silent, who will teach the children of our ways”.

 

Genevieve M. Huitt

Genevieve is a grandmother and an elder of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes who was born and raised in St. Ignatius and attended a Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding School. She received her B.A. degree from the University of Montana and taught 3^rd and 4^th grade at St. Paul’s Mission in Hays, Montana. She founded and is a director of the National Native American Music Association. She has represented American Indigenous people at the Smithsonian and on trips to Europe and the Philippines. Genevieve has represented the United States at the Global Cultural Olympics and been presented an award by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe for her contributions to music. She is an author who also teaches children to write books; her most recent book is titled “Wolf Nation.” Genevieve was listed in “Who’s Who 2024.” During her program titled “American Indian Music and Storytelling,” Genevieve will play cultural and contemporary native music of the American Indian and will tell stories of the Ponderay people through music. She believes that the Earth is our sacred Mother and we must take care of her as she will take care of us.

 

Iron Shield Creative

Lailani Upham 

Lailani is an Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet Nation) tribal member and a descendent from the Aaniiih, Nakoda, and Dakota tribes. Lailani grew up on the Blackfeet and Fort Belknap Indian reservations where she explored her home landscapes as a kid and got into trouble for taking off into the mountains without notice on adventures. She grew up hearing the stories and history of her tribal people and was grounded in identity through the passing down of oral traditions from her grandparents on both sides of her family and tribal lineage. Lailani is also the visionary behind Iron Shield Creative LLC, a consulting platform crafting Indigenous stories and holding creative Indigenous workshops from indoors to the outdoors. She is a multidisciplinary journalist, photojournalist, and filmmaker specializing in Indigenous storytelling, land stewardship, and culturally relevant and culturally lively activities. She is passionate about land conservation efforts as well as traditional and contemporary Blackfeet and Native cultures. She says her experience and passion have led her to a closer connection to nature and like-minded storytellers while vamping up a hunger to encourage others to tap into their voice through written and visual storytelling. Above all, Lailani loves being a grandmother, mother, sister, daughter, auntie, and friend; and takes these roles very seriously. Lailani is a U.S. Army veteran and woman owner of an Indigenous business where she promotes tribal and cultural values every day by living her best, strongest, fearless, and hilarious life.

 

Kevin Kicking Woman

Kevin Kicking Woman (Kooki “Corner”) is an enrolled tribal member of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. He also has Cree ancestry. Kicking Woman served in the Navy for four years, based on the USS Sacramento, in Bremerton, Washington. He completed three tours overseas and one tour in the Desert Storm conflict. Kevin was honorably discharged from his service in the Navy with accommodations and Main Propulsion Engineering certification.

Kevin has his teacher license, class 7 teaching certification, meaning he is a qualified Blackfeet language cultural teacher. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Native American Studies and Anthropology at the University of Montana (2011). He graduated from the University of Montana in 2014 with a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Cultural Anthropology, Linguistics, and Music Ethnology.

Kevin has dedicated his career to teaching, learning, and sharing cultural knowledge. He began working at Browning High School in 2018, Browning Montana Today, Mr. Kicking Woman teaches Blackfeet Language and Culture at his alma mater, Browning High School.

Kevin has been raised, lives, and practices his Native ceremonies, traditions, singing and dancing. He is an active member of many of the societies and bundles of the Blackfeet People. His passion for singing has brought him respect, acclaim and knowledge. His singing, sharing and teaching others has impacted and enriched many lives. Kevin and his wife (Joni) have five children and one grand-daughter “Kooki” who is his pride and joy.

 

Edwin “Sooney” Little Plume Sr.

Sooney is a full blood Blackfeet Indian who practices his native culture and has knowledge of his ancestors’ costumes, traditions, and language. Sooney is a singer and traditional dancer. He will share stories of the mountains and why they are so important to the Blackfeet people.

 

Ernest Marceau
Ernest, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe (Siksikaitsiitapii), uses his art to share the culture and history of his people. As a professional artist specializing in painting and sculpture, he creates art that allows the viewer to investigate the imaginary world of his mind. Born in Browning, Montana, Mr. Marceau was raised on the Blackfeet Reservation. He graduated from Browning High School in 1981, and attended Haskell Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas, where he focused his studies on art.

Mr. Marceau’s earliest memory of creating art occurred at age three when he produced a stylized drawing of a dog. From there, he began to experiment in other mediums, including sculpture, oil paints, acrylics, watercolors, pen and ink, pastel, etc. He quickly discovered that painting on stretched canvas was his preferred medium, and through adolescence and adulthood he continued to grow his artistic skills. Mr. Marceau credits his family with supporting his art career from an early age, including purchasing art supplies and praising the work of the young artist. His visionary world that blends Blackfeet history and culture with a modernist aesthetic is a unique perspective. In the words of the artist:

“I want to create art that looks into my deepest thoughts. Art which brings out my creativity in an endless form like the universe. It is never ending, and the creativity goes on to eternity, like my visionary world.”

 

Vernon Marceau
Vernon is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and was raised off and on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Browning MT. Vernon graduated from Yakama Valley Community College, Yakama WA. He has worked on the Blackfeet Reservation with the local school district and other Tribal programs and entities. Vernon is a Cultural Advocate for the tribal youth and other individuals and surrounding communities.

 

Sadie Peone-Stops

Sadie is the Director of the Salish-Kalispel Culture Committee, a department of the Confederated and Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She served the culture committee as Historical Collections Manager since 2002. She will explain the culture committee’s mission, under the guidance and direction of the Elders Cultural Advisory Council, which is to education both tribal members and the public about the culture, language, and history of the Salish and Kalispell people, as well as give historical background about the Salish and Kalispel people in this area.

 

Joseph Running Crane

Joseph is a singer songwriter born and raised in Browning and Heart Butte, Montana. He spent the 12 years with various punk and country bands as they traveled across the country. For the last five years, Joseph has made a fickle living as a western troubadour, while maintaining a spartan approach to songwriting and performance. He was named a 2019 Artist in Business Leadership Fellow. Joseph has been featured in Montana writer Aaron Parett’s book Montana Americana Music: Boot Stomping in Big Sky Country. He is thrilled by any opportunity to share his thoughts and songs in the place that has inspired so many of them.

 

Alicia & Taos Yellow Owl

Alicia is currently serving as the Meat Processing Project Developer at Blackfeet Community College (BCC). Alicia joined BCC in August of 2016 as the Native Science Field Centers (NSFC) Coordinator and was involved in numerous projects during her tenure, including the Snow Fence project in partnership with Piikani Health Lodge and the Beaver Mimicry project in collaboration with Blackfeet Environmental Office, Blackfeet Fish & Game, and Center for Large Landscape Conservation. In her current role, Alicia facilitates student training for the community food service workforce and meat processing. Through the Native Speaks program, she educates visitors about the rich culture, history and territory of the Blackfeet people.

Taos is a poised and accomplished high school student who is about to begin his 12th grade year at Heart Butte High School. He is a proud alumnus of the highly respected Cuts Wood Institute, where he dedicated himself to learning the Blackfeet language and Traditional Sign Language until the 8th grade when he graduated. Taos is also the President of the Jr Blackfeet Council, a position that speaks to his leadership abilities and dedication to his community.

 

Treyace Yellow Owl

Treyace is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe. She was born and raised in Browning. From the age of 5 she attended a Blackfeet Language Immersion School and is fluent in her native language. Treyace has extensive knowledge in the history and language of the Blackfeet People. She is involved in this program to spread positive, accurate, and dependable knowledge of her people.

 

Jay Young Running Crane

Jay is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet tribe and is a self-taught artist. Today, he mostly works with beads, making bracelets, medallions, dance outfits, and beaded pictures. In recent years, he has sold his arts and crafts at the Museum of the Plains Indian as well as at craft shows and bazaars. When beads arrived to Blackfeet Country, the people started using beads on their clothing and war items. Today, the Blackfeet still use beads for dance outfits, jewelry, and arts and crafts. Public schools are also starting to teach beading in their art classes. Jay feels that beaders need to show and pass on their knowledge to youth and all those who want to learn.

 

Gina Icenoggle

Gina grew up on the D-K Ranch, owned by her family now into the fourth generation, near Del Bonita, MT on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She is a tribal descendant of the Amskapi Pikuni (Southern Piegan/Blackfeet) and Cree.

Now retired, Gina served as the Public Information Officer at Glacier National Park from May 2020 to May 2025. Previously, she enjoyed a 30-year career with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana, Missouri, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington. Over the course of 25 years, she served on a national cadre that instructed thousands of federal employees on “Working Effectively with American Indians” on reservations across the United States.

Gina moved back to the ranch after retiring. During her free time, Gina loves spending time with her grand baby, Stetson, and competes at rodeos as a break-away roper.