Head Staff

Rusty Gillette, “Hooves” is Arikara and Hidatsa from the MHA Nation of North Dakota. Rusty currently resides in Maskwacis, Alberta with his wife, Leah Omeasoo-Gillette. He is the son of Vince and Connie Gillette and the grandson of the late Russell Gillette and late Doris Whitman.

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 and powwows across the country. Rusty has been a graphic artist for past 25 years. His company iFive Graphics includes work such as business cards, logos, billboards and bus panels.

Rusty has three children, Vance Romero, Coral, and George. He has also been a Grass Dancer his whole life. Rusty is a member of the Dead Grass Society of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.

Rusty Gillette has been proud to represent the MHA Nation and his family all across the U.S. and Canada.

Doosha Awaaganuxbag? (How are you, my people?)

Greetings, friends and relatives. My name is Charlie Moran Sr., and my Hidatsa name is Shishii. I am from the Flint Knife Clan and a child of the Dripping Dirt people of the Hidatsa and Mandan. I am Hidatsa and Mandan from the MHA Nation, and also from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

I am currently an instructor at Nueta, Hidatsa, Sahnish College in New Town, North Dakota, where I am one of four Native American Studies instructors. This is my fourth year teaching there, and it is truly an honor to work in this role. Prior to that, I taught Hidatsa language, customs, and traditions at New Town Public School for 12 years. Altogether, I have worked with the youth of Fort Berthold for the past 37 years.

I am an alumnus of United Tribes Technical College, where I graduated in 1985 with a certificate in Welding. I also attended Fort Berthold Community College from 1986 to 1988 and Minot State College from 1989 to 1990.

Family is central to my life. I helped raise 10 children and am blessed with 32 grandchildren and one great-grandchild—and counting. I enjoy family gatherings, holidays, birthdays, and supporting my children and grandchildren in their many activities and events.

For the past 36 years, I have been an announcer for celebrations (powwows), local society gatherings, community events, sporting events, rodeos, and Indian relay races. I have had the honor of announcing for events such as MHA Tourism’s State Fair Indian Relay Races and other events, Poplar Indian Days, Fort Kipp Celebration, Badlands Celebration in Brockton, Montana, Crow Fair, Fort Totten Days, Prairie Band of Potawatomi in Mayetta, Kansas, Yorkton Tribal Council Powwow in Saskatchewan, Cannonball Celebration at Standing Rock Reservation, and youth gatherings in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

Mr. Whitney Rencountre II, is Crow Creek Hunkpati Dakota and is the CEO of Crazy Horse Memorial.

Whitney was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Black Hills State University in 2024.  In 2017, Whitney was named one of 605 Magazine’s South Dakota Young Leaders. He was also a 2019 Honoree of the Western South Dakota Child Protection Council. Whitney is the former Chairman of the South Dakota Humanities Council and Visit Rapid City. For 11 years, he was the Director of the Ateyapi Program, a culturally based mentoring program.

Whitney has served as emcee for powwow across the U.S. and Canada including: Apache Gold Casino Powwow, Black Hills Powwow, United Tribes International Powwow, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Wacipi, Prairie Island Dakota Wacipi, Four Bears MHA Powwow, Sisseton Veteran’s Wacipi, Muckleshoot Powwow, Dakota Empire Powwow, Lower Brule Powwow, Mosquito First Nation, Summer Solstice Powwow, University of Oklahoma Powwow, Lumbee Nation Powwow, Meherrin Nation Powwow, Indio California Powwow, Black Hills State University Powwow, Virginia Tech Powwow, UC Berkeley Powwow, University of Oklahoma Powwow, University of South Dakota Powwow, University of Denver Powwow, University of Mary Powwow & many more!

First, I want to thank the Creator for our ways and for this opportunity.

I am an enrolled member of the Mni’ Wak’an Oy’ate, ND, and Dakota Tipi First Nation. My parents are Daniel DuBois II and Beryl Chaske/DuBois. I was blessed to grow up in this way of life, learning from both sides of the medicine line throughout my life, making us dual Dakota citizens.
I am a proud i’na (mother) to six children and nine takojaz (grandchildren). I earned my Bachelor of University Studies from Mayville State University, North Dakota, with specializations in Finance, Marketing, Management, and Realty. I strive to work toward a better life for our future generations while maintaining my identity and dignity in the two worlds we are given. I am thankful and grateful every day.

I grew up in our Dakota ways and have danced Fancy Shawl since I was able to walk. I had the honor of representing Mni’ Wak’an Oy’ate as royalty throughout my childhood and teenage years. I began as Mini Miss Mni’ Wak’an Oy’ate, held each title along the way, and was crowned Miss Mni’ Wak’an Oy’ate in 1992. My daughters have also proudly held these royalty titles.

I am forever thankful to Wakhán? Thánka for this way of life. Our ways have guided and sustained me, and they have taken me across Turtle Island, where I have shared our traditions through dance troupes and performances. I value learning and sharing with other nations.

I always tell my takojaz, “Wacipi is where I love to be—that’s where you’ll find me!”
Pidamaya ye, UTTC, from the bottom of my can’te (heart) for this opportunity.