Crow Agency in Big Horn County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Indian Memorial
Little Bighorn Battlefield
An Indian memorial to honor Native American participation in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, June 25-26, 1876, and change the name of Custer Battlefield National Monument to Little Bighorn National Monument, was authorized by Congress in 1991 and signed into law by former President George H. W. Bush on December 10, 1991.
The winning design by John R. Collins and Allison J. Towers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was chosen in a national design competition from over 500 entries. The circular earth and stone work is gently carved from the prairie. For many tribes, the circle is sacred and symbolic of the journey of life. The spirit gate to the Seventh Cavalry Monument symbolically welcomes the spirits of the Seventh Cavalry into the memorial’s circle. A weeping wall symbolizes the tears of the Indian People, and the suffering that resulted from their battle here on Greasy Grass, to retain their nomadic way of life. The interior walls commemorate the five tribes that fought here: Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, and Arikara. The Spirit Warriors sculpture by Oglala Lakota artist Colleen Cutschall, represents the free spirit of warriors riding into battle.
The Indian Memorial is a living memorial, honoring not only the past but present and future generations of Indian people. The memorial provides a universal message for all visitors to this hallowed place; “Peace through Unity.”
“The time has begun to give equal honor to the Indian people who’ve been denied that for so long.”
“This bill, long overdue, now establishes a bridge between the races. A bridge which crosses this century . . . A bridge long overdue to join the races, and properly recognize all the races who fought and died at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.”
“We have waited too long for a memorial symbolizing our bravery, our personal loss, our victory in battle, and our commitment to protecting the way of life which our people knew.”
Testimony before Congress, 1991
“The public interest will best be served by establishing a memorial . . . to honor and recognize the Indians who fought to preserve their land and culture.”
“We now have to try to forget what happened here 100 years ago; we have to unite together . . . Peace through unity.”
“We want a place where the Native American descendents can feel welcome . . . and believe one’s people had done a courageous thing . . . ”
“The Indian participants of the battle sacrificed much of their human spiritual energy so that their people would survive and prosper in the future. Today the Plains Indian Nations are alive and vibrant.”
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is June 25, 1886.
Location. 45° 34.244′ N, 107° 25.668′ W. Marker is in Crow Agency, Montana, in Big Horn County. Marker is on Little Bighorn Battlefield Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crow Agency MT 59022, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Peace Through Unity (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); 1984 Archeological Survey (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Bighorn Indian Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Companies C & E (within shouting distance of this marker); Wooden Leg Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Seventh Cavalry Horse Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Markers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crow Agency.
More about this memorial. The background of the marker contains an image of the Indian Memorial.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 708 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 7, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.