Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/author/russell-rowland/page/2/)
When I moved back to my hometown of Billings in 2007, I had been away from Montana for 25 years. And it soon became clear that either I had changed, Montana had changed, or my memory of Montana was off the mark. (more…) Continue Reading →
On Saturday, Dec. 12, about 150 people gathered in Pioneer Park in Billings for an event called We Are All Sisters. The idea was to show our support for the Muslim community in Billings after some of the people within that community had been harassed. (more…) Continue Reading →
When I was a teenager, I was embarrassed about wearing glasses, and taking years of piano lessons. But when I was 16, an album came out by a guy who looked nothing like a rock star. He was pudgy. He wore glasses. He had a gap between his teeth. Continue Reading →
Editor’s note: Russell Rowland helped organize the Native American Race Relations and Healing Symposium, a daylong series of panel discussions scheduled for Aug. 22 at the Billings Public Library. A companion piece by co-organizer Adrian Jawort, is published above this one. Click here to see it. (more…) Continue Reading →
How incredibly sharp have become the edges of the two-sided sword we call freedom of speech. Like most of the world, I received the news of what happened at the offices of Charlie Hebdo with a sense of extreme shock and sadness. But this was different. Because it was also coupled with something that I have not fallen prey to much when it comes to world events. I felt a profound sense of fear. Continue Reading →
Every year on Veterans Day, I cringe at the knowledge that well-meaning people are going to wallpaper Facebook and Twitter with heartfelt tributes to the heroes who have served our country. I cringe because as a veteran myself, I know the truth about the average military personnel. Most of the people I met in the military were good people. They showed up and did their job. They didn’t cause problems. They were generally a pleasure to work with. Continue Reading →
Lay of the Land: A series of essays on the spirit of Montana
I have never been so anxious to meet another kid in my life. My parents have told us for years about the family that is about to come and visit. They have a boy my age. And several years ago, this boy shot and killed his younger brother when they were playing in the family barn. I have been curious about this boy ever since. (more…) Continue Reading →
