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Coming home

As Montana’s first land-grant institution, Montana State University was founded on a visionary idea — that every student, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to pursue a college education.

In keeping with that mission, in 2005 the university launched an ambitious project: creating a campus home to support MSU’s growing number of American Indian students.

Today, we’re proud to say American Indian Hall is a dream fulfilled.

Click here to view the full ceremony speeches.

American Indian Hall at a glance

Student commons with kitchen, childcare area, computer room and more
Three classrooms with space for 140 students in total
Academic collaboration and study spaces
Drum room and ceremonial space
Offices for American Indian/Alaskan Native Student Success Services

Offices for the Department of Native American Studies
Space for the Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Gallery space

Dedicated spaces for gatherings, events and lectures

Intricate exterior site that includes an interpretive garden for education on native plants and their uses

A mural by Wyoming artist Robert Martinez, Northern Arapaho, depicts a Native nurse in this colorful rendering inside MSU’s American Indian Hall.

American Indian Hall’s Great Hall is framed by the doors of the building’s student commons. The commons provide a space for students to study, collaborate, and build community.

A native american art installation in the shape of a war shirt

An art installation by Billings artist Bently Spang, Northern Cheyenne, welcomes students and visitors inside MSU’s American Indian Hall. The installation features video screens formed into the shape of a Northern Plains war shirt.

Morning light gleams beyond the exterior of American Indian Hall's drum room.

The sun rises from the east beyond the exterior of American Indian Hall's drum room. According to Native beliefs, the East is associated with enlightenment and new beginnings.

Building a bridge

Incorporating architectural concepts by MSU alumnus Dennis Sun Rhodes of the Northern Arapahoe, the American Indian Hall is both a work of art and educational resource.

With dedicated spaces for study, collaboration and ceremony, the hall is home to MSU’s Department of Native American Studies and the American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success Services office, which serves over 800 Native students and provides important resources like academic advising, tutoring, counseling, advocacy and more.

But the hall is more than an academic and cultural space. It’s a place for Native students to find a home away from home—a place to laugh and share meals, to speak openly and honestly and find support from faculty, students and staff with shared experiences.

The hall also serves as a bridge between American Indian and other cultures on campus. It welcomes visitors from all backgrounds who want to explore its art, find knowledge in its gardens, interact with Indigenous wisdom, and have important conversations about our collective past, present and future.

Taking bold steps forward

In addition to Dennis Sun Rhodes, the design of the building and grounds were guided by a number of important constituents: President Waded Cruzado’s Council of Elders, the Department of Native American Studies, the American Indian Council (a student organization), our partners at the seven tribal colleges in Montana, the Associated Students of MSU, tribal elders from around the region, and interested community members. Swank Enterprises was the general contractor on the project, and the architect was ThinkOne Architecture.

The American Indian Hall at Montana State University was made possible by a $12 million from the Kendeda Fund, an organization with a long history of supporting conservation and community led projects in Montana, along with a $2 million pledge from the Associated Students of Montana State University. Among other supporters are Jim and Chris Scott of Billings and the Terry and Patt Payne of Missoula, who pledged $1 million, respectively. Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of MSU students.

American Indian Hall

Coming home

American Indian Hall at a glance

Building a bridge

News

Taking bold steps forward

More Information

Resources

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American Indian Hall

Coming home

American Indian Hall at a glance

Building a bridge

News

Taking bold steps forward

To email comments or to speak to someone about the project:

More Information

Resources

Follow Us