These Objects From the Smithsonian Collections Mark the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Little Big Horn

As the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn approaches, approximately 19 tribes have committed to participating in this special commemorative event. This historical tribute is expected to draw thousands of Native Americans and visitors to the battle area.

“There are not enough Indians in the world to defeat the 7th Calvary.” – George Armstrong Custer

On June 25, 1876, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer led over 200 men of the 7th Cavalry Regiment and Indian scouts into the valley of the Little Bighorn, in South Central Montana. Awaiting him were an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho and Dakota camped along the Little Bighorn River. The Native Americans called this area “The Valley of the Greasy Grass.”

Eight years earlier, the United States established Paha Sapa (the Black Hills) and surrounding area as part of the Great Sioux Reservation. This area was for set aside for the exclusive use by the Sioux bands (known collectively as the Oceti Sakowin), in accordance with the Fort Laramie Treaty signed on April 29, 1868, by representatives of the United States and Sioux. Then in 1874, gold was discovered in the Black Hills. Word quickly spread as miners in mass began trespassing onto the Oceti Sakowin hunting grounds, extracting the gold and establishing residence on Sioux treaty land. The Oceti Sakowin reacted by protecting their territory against invasion. In turn, the miners demanded U.S. military protection so that they could continue their extraction of Black Hills gold.

In late 1875, the U.S. government issued an ultimatum for all Lakota and Cheyenne people to report to reservations by January 31, 1876, or be considered hostile. This deadline was ignored by most of the Oceti Sakowin and Cheyenne bands. On February 8, the U.S. War Department ordered armed operations against the hostile Indians. On March 30, the United States Army began their summer campaign to force the Lakota and Cheyenne back to their reservation. On April 9, Crow Indian Scouts were recruited from Crow Agency (near Livingston, MOntana) to scout for the U.S Army campaign against their traditional enemy, the Lakota. From April 26 to May 9, 30 Arikara scouts were also recruited for the campaign.

During an early June Sun Dance ceremony, held at Deer Medicine Rocks on the west bank of Rosebud Creek, Montana, respected Hunkpapa Lakota spiritual leader Sitting Bull had a vision of United States soldiers falling into his camp, prophesizing a battle victory against the U.S. Army. On June 18, the Lakota and Cheyenne entered Little Bighorn Valley to begin setting up their enormous village. On June 22 Lieutenant Colonel Custer, the Indian scouts and 12 companies of the 7th Cavalry began their march up Rosebud Creek. June 24, Lt. Col. Custer and his 12 companies of the 7th Cavalry halted at present day Busby, Montana. His Indian scouts are sent ahead to the Crow's Nest mountain lookout to view the Little Bighorn Valley. The scouts returned and reported a large village has been sighted along the Little Big Horn River. At dawn on June 25, Custer and a regiment of the 7th Cavalry began riding toward the Little Bighorn Valley.

On the afternoon of June 25, an estimated 2000 Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho and Dakota warriors poured out from their unified village to meet the U.S Army cavalry, attacking their camp from different directions. It was said that the famous war leader Crazy Horse yelled, “Hoka Hey (Let’s Go)! Today is a good day to die!” as he led Lakota and Cheyenne warriors to meet Custer and his 7th Calvary. Many of the Native warriors were armed with repeating rifles in addition to tribal weaponry. In contrast, the 7th Cavalry were armed with sabers, carbine pistols and the single shot Springfield Model 1873 “Trapdoor” carbine.

The battle ended before dark. On June 27, General Terry and the Montana column under Colonel Gibbon arrived and reached Custer's dead battalion. They found 268 7th Cavalry soldiers, civilians and Indian scouts killed, along with an estimated 60-100 Lakota and Cheyenne. The Battle of the Greasy Grass brought the largest defeat of the United States Army during the Plains Indian wars to an end. On June 28, Major Reno's companies buried Custer's command where they fell, in shallow graves marked with wooden tipi poles collected from the abandoned Indian village. When news reached Americans celebrating Independence Day, they demanded restitution. In reaction, the United States stepped up its campaign against the Sioux and other tribes who participated, until the government ultimately confiscated their land in 1877.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1980 decision in United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians awarded the Sioux Nation $17.1 million for their land guaranteed by treaty. In 1881, a granite memorial was erected on Last Stand Hill by the War Department in addition to white marble markers where each U.S soldier had fallen in battle. On Memorial Day of 1999, red granite markers were added to the battle site to honor the Natives killed in the battle. To this day, ownership of the Black Hills remains the subject of a legal dispute between the Sioux Nation and the U.S. government. This monetary settlement to the Sioux bands was against their will and is said to now be close to $1 billion. As of 2026, the Oceti Sakowin who were awarded the settlement have not accepted this payment and continue to seek the return of the land promised to them.

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn is being planned with a large-scale, multi-tribal celebration that blends Native cultural observances with official National Park Service (NPS) programming, expected to draw thousands of Native participants and visitors to the battlefield site and surrounding area.

To begin the commemoration, Lakota spiritual Leader Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, is currently leading the Pȟeží Slá Wókiksuye (Greasy Grass Memorial) Horse Ride from South Dakota on a 360-mile ride spanning 15 days. Horse riders from multiple tribal communities will also travel to the battle site ahead of the 150th anniversary commemoration including the Crazy Horse Memorial Ride and the Cheyenne Victory Ride.

The Crow Tribe is hosting Crow Native Days this week to celebrate their nation's culture and history. Included will be a rodeo, powwow, parade, arrow tournament, and other events. But the highlight of Crow Native Days will be the 34th Annual Little Big Horn Battle re-enactment hosted by the Real Bird Family (Crow) scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on June 26, 27 and 28, on Real Bird Loop, located on the eastern frontage road between Crow Agency, and Garryowen, Montana (3 miles south of Crow Agency).

The National Park Service (NPS) is also preparing to launch a 3-day commemoration June 25–27, for the sesquicentennial observance at Little Big Horn Battle Monument 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn - Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (U.S. National Park Service). On June 25, the commemoration will begin with an opening prayer from Chief Arvil Looking Horse, a parade of nations featuring representatives from each participating nation and opening remarks from Crow Chairman Frank White Clay. The NPS clarified that no battle reenactments will occur on the battlefield itself, but during their three days of activities, interpretive programs and speakers that include historians, and tribal voices  will offer multiple perspectives on the battle. Other NPS activities include tribal color guard procession and a flyover by the Montana Air National Guard's 120th Airlift Wing and cultural demonstrations. In addition, entrance fees will be waived on June 25–27 and off-site parking with shuttle service will be provided.

Dennis Zotigh | Read More

Dennis W. Zotigh (Kiowa/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo/Isanti Dakota Indian) is a member of the Kiowa Gourd Clan and San Juan Pueblo Winter Clan and a descendant of Sitting Bear and No Retreat, both principal war chiefs of the Kiowas. Dennis works as a writer and cultural specialist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.