For over two decades, the University of Montana (UM) Commencement ceremony has been enriched by a deeply resonant and culturally significant element: the Rawhide Songs performed by Chief Earl Old Person and the Rawhide Singers of the Blackfeet Nation. Every spring, these esteemed elders make the journey from Browning to Missoula, a four-hour trek that symbolizes the enduring connection between the Blackfeet Nation and the university. This annual pilgrimage, marking western Montana’s awakening from winter, brings with it the powerful sounds of buffalo skin drums and the visual dignity of eagle feather headdresses, as the Rawhide Singers share sacred tribal songs that echo through generations.
Chief Earl Old Person, a distinguished figure at 92 years old, stands as one of the nation’s most honored and respected Native leaders. His honorary doctorate from UM and lifetime honorary chieftainship of the Blackfeet Nation underscore his profound legacy. When Chief Old Person speaks about the importance of these rawhide song performances for UM students, their families, and the university administration, his words carry immense weight.
“We don’t sing only for our Native students; our rawhide songs are for all of the graduates,” Chief Old Person explains, emphasizing the inclusive nature of this tradition. “It truly means something for our young people to hear these songs. It signifies their achievement, their hard work, and their step into the future.” The presence of the Rawhide Singers and their performance of rawhide songs at such a pivotal moment underscores the university’s commitment to honoring diverse heritages and celebrating the accomplishments of all its students.
The Rawhide Singers, once a quartet, now continue as a trio, carrying forward this vital cultural practice. The passing of Kenneth Old Person in August and Victor Sure Chief in 2010 marked significant losses. However, Chief Earl Old Person and Paul Old Chief remain steadfast, now joined by Joshua Horn, Kenneth’s great-grandson, representing the next generation of Rawhide Singers ensuring the legacy of rawhide song continues.
Debbie Homegun, daughter of the late Kenneth Old Person, recalls her father’s deep connection to this tradition: “My dad loved singing; I grew up with him singing everywhere,” she shared. “He especially loved singing at the University, performing those special tribal songs. It was one of his favorite things to do.” The dedication of the Rawhide Singers, generation after generation, highlights the profound personal and cultural significance of these performances.
Chief Old Person emphasizes the urgency of preserving these rawhide songs and the Blackfeet language. With time taking its toll on the elders who possess fluent Blackfeet and intimate knowledge of the songs, the tradition faces potential loss. He stresses that these songs are best learned through listening, an oral tradition passed down through generations. “The best teacher is hearing,” he states. “One day, all of the elders will be gone. I tell my people, our young people, that the best time to learn is when they are young. Knowing our language, our songs is the way to carry us forward.” The annual performance of rawhide songs at UM serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural preservation and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
The tradition of rawhide songs at UM Commencement began in the early 1990s when former UM President George Dennison, who shared a close friendship with Chief Old Person, sought a meaningful way to honor the university’s Native graduates and represent Montana’s Indigenous peoples. Dennison, who was given an Indian name by Chief Old Person, recognized the profound impact these songs could have on both Native and non-Native students and their families.
“We started with an opening song and then an opening prayer, and that’s how it all began,” Chief Old Person recounts. “I guess they liked our songs.” Indeed, the rawhide songs resonated deeply, establishing themselves as an integral and cherished part of UM’s annual Commencement ceremonies for over two decades and continuing strong today.
For the University of Montana, situated on the ancestral lands of the Salish and Kalispel people, the performance of these ancestral rawhide songs carries a particularly poignant significance. A palpable reverence fills UM’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium as the drumbeat rhythm and ancient melodies resonate, bringing thousands of attendees to a moment of profound silence and respect. The stadium itself, located at the mouth of Hellgate Canyon, stands on ground historically significant to the Blackfeet, who maintained a skirmish line there in defense of their hunting grounds – hence the name “Hell’s Gate.” The rawhide songs connect the present-day academic achievements of UM graduates to the deep historical roots of the land they occupy.
Chief Old Person explains the societal context of these songs: “These are society songs. Our people had societies within the reservation, like clans, and each area would organize a society and compose a song,” he elaborates. “We have many honor songs. While we’ve lost our societies, we still have the songs. And we continue to sing.” Among these, the Flag Song holds a special place, akin to the Blackfeet national anthem, reserved for moments of profound celebration and honor.
“We sing the Flag Song when our boys and girls become ladies and men, or when they join the armed forces,” Chief Old Person shares. “We honor our veterans with this song and use it to open graduation. It’s one of the main rawhide songs we sing.” The melodies, imbued with memory and meaning, serve as a powerful link between the rich history of Indian culture and the promising futures of UM graduates.
“Our language, our songs, our traditions are the foundation of being Native, and it’s important for everyone to hear them,” Chief Old Person reiterates. “We must keep it going for as long as we can.” UM President Seth Bodnar affirms the university’s ongoing commitment to this tradition: “We understand what a significant honor it is to have the Rawhide Singers with us, not only to mark a distinct moment for our graduates but also to reflect the important ways our community has been and continues to be shaped by our Indigenous colleagues and friends.”
Chief Old Person expresses his dedication to continuing this tradition as long as he is able. “It’s an honor for us to be able to help out in this way,” he says. “Missoula is a special place for me.” With the Rawhide Singers present, and the powerful resonance of their rawhide songs, the University of Montana Commencement becomes a truly special place for everyone in attendance, bridging cultures, generations, and histories in a shared moment of celebration and respect.
