Sanders has proposed the government pay for tuition at public colleges and universities. Byrne credited the senator for not faltering on his message of social reform, for looking at the big picture.

In the back of the Montana Pavilion where the event occured, Samantha Broken Rope sat cradling an infant in one of the few available chairs in the 18,000 square foot venue.

A member of the Crow Tribe, Broken Rope appreciated what Sanders had to say about the United States owing a tremendous debt to Native Americans. The candidate had met with tribal representatives before going on stage.

"We have to give them the respect they're due," Sanders said. "They have contributed so much to our culture, our way of life."

But Broken Rope also liked what Sanders had to say about free college tuition, something American Indians in Montana have, unless they attend school out of state, as her daughter is currently.

The Crow mother was skeptical Sanders could deliver on the education promise, but if he lowered tuition, Broken Rope said she would be happy.

Younger attendees were ecstatic.

"It was freaking awesome," said Addison Wartnow, a 17-year old Billings Senior student.

Wartnow was there with her friend Cairo Morton, a student at Billings Central. "It's nice to see somebody who's trying to change democracy and who tells the truth," said Morton, who is just old enough to vote this year.

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