Rusty Gillette is Arikara and Hidatsa from the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. He is the son of Vince and Connie Gillette and the grandson of Russell Gillette. He is a member of the Dead Grass Society in White Shield, ND.

Rusty earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications with a Concentration in Public Relations from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. He currently works in various capacities including as liaison for marketing companies across the country and also the Indian National Finals Powwow. He is also a graphic artist who has won awards in various categories such as logo design, CD cover, poster and 3-dimensional art.

Gillette’s design is the chosen submission for this year’s 49th Annual United Tribes Technical College artwork.

The logo designed brings elements of community and culture using colors that represent September in North Dakota. The Capitol in the background signifies leadership and the Bismarck community. The tipis also signify leadership for our Native people. The lit tipis suggest fires have been started, ideas and prayers are being shared. The pattern encircling the logo is an element taken from the UTTC logo. It signifies the backbone of our culture and community. The UTTC International Powwow has been here for 49 years so the seal encompassing the logo is an official sign of stability. The blue signifies water because water is life. The banner wraps the logo and brings everything together for future generations.