Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and Associated Tribes to Host June 25 Anniversary Events

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument will host a day of remembrance to commemorate the 148th anniversary of The Battle of Little Bighorn.

This year’s commemoration theme is inspired by Wooden Leg, a Northern Cheyenne warrior who fought against Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. Years later, despite the challenges and battles that had taken place, Wooden Leg said, “we once were enemies, and now we are friends.” This sentiment of friendship continues today through the relationships and collaborative efforts involved to co-steward the land where the battle took place.

The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation will be hosting a 5k Run/Walk in the morning.

Park entrance fees will be waived for the commemoration.

Please refer to this site as we will continue to update events and information up to the day of the event. The following is the most updated agenda for the day:

 

148^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Master of Ceremonies: Bethany Gassman

7:00 AM: Park opens to general public (entrance free day).

7:30 AM: 5k Run/Walk sponsored by the Assiniboine and Siox Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana.

9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony

• Prayer - Michael Bearcomesout, Keeper of Issuwun
• Posting of colors & Flag Song – Cheyenne Color Guard/drum group
• Welcome and opening remarks - Dustin Sene, LIBI Superintendent

9:30 a.m. “Long Ago We Were Enemies. Today We Are friends,” with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma. Eugene Little Coyote introductions:

• Reggie Wassana, Governor, Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of OK
• Ernest Littlemouth, Vice President, Northern Cheyenne Tribe
• Vincent Whitecrane, Chairman, NCT Cultural Commission
• Harvey Pratt, C&A Veteran and Chief

10:30 a.m. Veteran’s Recognition – TBD

10:45 a.m. Justin Grey Hawk, Chairman, Ft. Peck Tribes of Assiniboine & Sioux.

11:00 a.m. Steve Leader Charge, Descendent of the First Tokala’s of the Great Sioux Lakota Nation at the Peji Sla Creek Battle (Battle of the Little Bighorn).

11:30 a.m. Pauline Cloud Man and Shane Red Hawk, Descendants of Sicangu Lakota of the Battle of Pejisla (Greasy Grass).

12:00 p.m. Break for lunch.

1:00 p.m. Manny Iron Hawk, Grandfathers Iron Hawk and Little Bird, Cheyenne River Sioux.

1:00 p.m. Morning Star Riders – Park Entrance thru parking lot.

1:30 p.m. Wendall Yellow Bull, Bighorn Riders, Oglala, Pine Ridge Sioux Tribe.

2:00 p.m. Elvyn Bissonette,. Crazy Horse- Hunkpatatila Oyate Band, Oglala, Pine Ridge Sioux Tribe.

2:30 p.m. Ben Ridgely, Cultural Director, Northern Arapaho of the Wind River Reservation, WY.

3:00 p.m. Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council – Great Plains Alliance Honoring.

4:00 Northern Cheyenne Youth Runners, Philip Whiteman Jr. – Indian Memorial presentation.