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The Battle of the Greasy Grass

Each year, the Lakota of the Great Plains commemorate their victory over the United States army at the Battle of the Greasy Grass, better known in American history as the Battle of Little Bighorn (03:25)

Photographs by: Aaron Huey
Directed and Edited by: Kristin Moore
Produced by: Brendan McCabe


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Comments (14)

I am moved to know that the "spirit of the circle of the world",that Black Elk spoke of, has not died in the culture of the First Americans. Some day, before my spirit leaves my body ,I hope to visit the the Little Bighorn and stand on Greasy Grass Ridge. Is it still possible to live a good life in this world without spoiling it ? Can we be happy with what we really need ,and less of what we think we want ? It seems difficult , but we must try .

Remembering the Battle of the Greasy Grass is commemorating how the Native Americans triumphed over Custer and his troops. The United States of America forcefully threw Native Americans, off their land and into desperation.

Respect is to show consideration for something or someone. I believe everyone involved with this event is showing the utmost respect and what a beautiful way to show love for your land and people.

Shame on you Tom Pittman, stomping on oppressors is the reason you have a United States of America in the first place.
Also, did you not notice the American flag flying high in the first 30 seconds of the video?

I can appreciate the Lakota celebrating the battle at Greasy Grass but I don't appreciate the fact that a UNITED STATES of AMERICA flag is dropped to the ground and trod on by horses. Have a little respect....

The 2.5 mile $300. Winner take all horse race was in Memory/ honor of my son Mato Nape Ska aka Jared Roy James White Plume who passed into the spirit world on May 4, 2010. He rode his horse "Taliban" on May 9th, 2010. Many Thanks to his Kola(friend)Lawrence Harvey, who stood with him through his trials....

As far as Iam concerned the Red Man Is the only true American and I am so Ashamed of the white man and the black man.

What a beautiful video - this is a wonderful gathering - a show of pride, honoring the memory of ancestors - and it's cool to see the cultural identity the horses have with the indians. This was trulty a beatiful video to watch.

Ethnic cleansing by white Europeans. We are reprehensible.

As a direct descendant of Walks Far, a Lakota killed at Greasy Grass, I enjoy this video tribute to our peoples. He died fighting for the freedom and culture of his people and of this I'm eternally grateful.

10/22/10

Another recent book, The Last Stand - Custer, Sitting Bull & the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick, provides a more comprehensive examination of the conflict. It provides much of the same information from both sides of the conflict as this article and goes beyond to state that Reno was drunk throughout the battle, Benteen hated Custer because of Custer's actions at the Battle of the Washita in 1868, Custer was wounded early in the fight and may have received the bullet to the head by his brother, Tom, when it became clear that the battle was lost, and, finally, Custer received battlefield mutilation not previously disclosed based upon his relations with Mo-nah-se-tah.

James McIntyre
Streetsboro, Ohio

I give thanks for the opportunity to share with the Lakota people in the celebration of the day history was made to change. My first knowledge of this historic day was told in the story, "Little Big Man". It was told from the perspective of Native Americans and I was happy to hear someone tell it like it really was and not white-washed in the fashion White people have told their stories. My great-grandmother is believed to be one of the last of her time to be Choctaw. That is what my uncle has always said. I don't know and I'm not sure, only the fact that I am of Native American heritage. Once I began reading more and more about the fate of my people as a collective along with the history of my people from the islands, the one lesson learned was that white people have always tried to make us ashamed of who and what we are. That one lesson that has never taken root here. My one regret is that I have not been taught, "The way" but what I do practice is by instinct and that is to love all and have respect for the planet Earth and all of GOD's creations.

It's about time the honest facts came out.
The myth about the honest White man has been a crock.
From the alleged great white Father"Grant" to Psycho George Custer .
Everytime I go to West Point I cringe at the fact that Custer is buried with notable warriors,which he is not .

Each part of America is of part who i am.I am part of the history of the land.We as people need to know our land history.The more we know the more we become whole.Little is known of the western edge Indians.We often are told of eastern slavery.This is a beautiful pearl.

Great video. Fantastic photography.

Nicely done Kristin and Aaron....



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