TAT Boys, Girls Club takes to the runway
Clubs celebrate 12th Anniversary with a Fashion Show
By Jerry W. Kram
In 2001, the Three Affiliated Tribes Boys and Girls Club was officially chartered. A dozen years later, the club has facilities in all six segments of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and has provided recreational, education and leadership opportunities for hundreds of youth in New Town, Parshall, Four Bears, White Shield, Mandaree and Twin Buttes.
To celebrate their 12th Anniversary, young people from every segment gathered in New Town to put on a fashion show for the community. The New Town Civic Center was transformed into a high class fashion venue with runway and red carpet, bright lights and and uptempo soundtrack.
“We wanted to do something that was a little different and out of the ordinary,” said Ryan Eagle, executive director of the TAT Boys and Girls Club. “One of the things we find that kids have a problem with is self confidence – getting in front of people and being proud of themselves. So we thought what could be better than a fashion show?”
“Leadership development is one of the core areas we work on with kids,” Eagle said. “We find that self confidence is lacking with kids sometimes. Just getting in front of people and articulating who they are, where they come from and what they want to do is difficult for them. We try as much as we can to get the kids out there in front of people and let them know that this is a good thing to do. We want them to discover that it is not that bad.”
Eagle said the fashion show also highlighted young people from each of the six segment clubs. The club members displayed a wide range of styles from everyday casual to formal ware to athletic gear to the traditional regalia of the MHA Nation.
