Indigenous Peoples Day showing of the free Native Ball at MSU Billings

Billings, Montana – A screening of the documentary Native Ball Monday is being held by Big Sky State Games, Visit Billings, Native American Achievement Center, and Western Native Voice in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day and the numerous accomplishments of Native American athletes.

The documentary aims to highlight Blackfoot basketball player Malia Kipp’s journey to fulfill her dreams as she became the first female native athlete from Montana to get a full-ride Division I basketball scholarship, according to one of the organizers and President of the All-Nations Indian Club at MSU Billings.

“Going from the reservation and going into a community where diversity took place, and she was adjusting to the new environment and being a really good basketball player and being a role-model for younger generations to come.”

Stone stated that Kipp’s story should be shared, particularly with regard to young Native Americans. She went on to say that the movie will depict the challenges that a lot of Native American men and women face when trying to make a name for themselves in professional athletics.

“To see a Native American individual thriving in sports really brings a lot of inspiration and motivation for the younger generations and it shows that there are positive outcomes growing up on the reservation and that we’re capable of doing anything that we put our mind to.”

According to Stone, she hopes the movie will show other Native American men and women that it is possible to achieve your goals—if you have the willpower and passion to stick with them.

Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer will be screened for free on Monday, October 9, 2023, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Petro Theatre (MUS Billings).