I wonder if the Sioux Empire Betterment Foundation will let NDN Collective and other Indians march in their Fourth of July parade. Our Lakota neighbors have been known to advocate some pretty strong policy positions.
150 years ago, Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors camped on the Greasy Grass in southeastern Montana defended their village and families against an attack from the U.S. 7th Cavalry. Led by Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Gall, and Two Moons, the Indigenous army annihilated this contingent of imperialist invaders and their arrogant leader, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. While the locals won this battle, they lost their war, as the Americans, shocked by this crushing defeat amidst their national centennial celebration, intensified their genocidal invasion and within 15 years successfully confined the surviving Native nations to reservations.
The conquering nation’s landmark anniversaries are thus forever twinned with remembrance of Indigenous forces’ greatest victory against the invaders. thousands of Indigenous people are gathering right now at the valley of the Greasy Grass to commemorate that victory:
From Tuesday through Thursday, thousands of Indigenous people will gather at the valley of the Greasy Grass to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1876 victory by Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors – including many women – who quickly countered an assault by the U.S. army, successfully protecting their village while also overwhelming portions of the 7th Cavalry.
After around 1,000 horseriders cover a journey from the Cheyenne River Reservation and other communities to the Crow Agency area, thousands of people will gather at a 300-acre encampment in celebration of the victory at Greasy Grass and in inter-tribal solidarity.
“The commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass provides a framework for us to feed the energy, intention, and planning for the battles Indigenous people face today,” said Gaby Strong, Vice President of NDN Collective and horse rider for the 150th anniversary celebration. “We are asking ourselves: what do we want the next 150 years to look like for our People, our communities? We are here to put our prayers into action, to continue building a better world for our grandchildren.”
“The 1876 victory at Greasy Grass was a pivotal moment in defense of our lands, cultures, and way of life,” said Valeriah Big Eagle, Director of He Sapa Initiatives at NDN Collective and participant in the 150th commemoration. “This week reignites the warrior spirit that our people have carried with us for hundreds of years. Many of us would not be here today if our ancestors didn’t fight back then. It’s a critical reminder of how important solidarity, strategy, and preparedness are in protecting our communities and tribal sovereignty today.”
The dominant narrative around the Battle of Greasy Grass centers on the U.S. Army General responsible for leading this attack instead of the Native people who won – in this vein, the battle is often referred to as “Custer’s Last Stand.” The 150th commemoration, organized by tribal leaders and organizers, seeks to reject that white-washed version of events, instead uplifting the village – largely made up of women and children – who were unexpectedly attacked and still won, due to tribal unity, spiritual guidance, and matriarchal leaders like Buffalo Calf Road Woman [NDN Collective, press release, 2026.06.22].
One Northern Cheyenne writer calls the celebration of the Battle of Little Bighorn “bittersweet“, as it “hearkened the beginning of the end of the free and nomadic way of life on the Plains.” NDN Collective nonetheless celebrates that 1876 victory as the foundation of Indigenous resistance and restoration:
This was a historic victory for Native Nations, their land, and their culture at a time when the federal government was actively breaking treaties and forcing Native people into reservations. The victory at Greasy Grass is also one that belonged to all people, especially the warrior women in the camp. Oral histories from the Battle of the Greasy Grass recount women not only defending the camp, but also taking direct action in the fight against the 7th Cavalry. We often hear stories told of Buffalo Calf Road Woman, who rode alongside her husband in battle. It is in this same warrior spirit that we call upon for the energy, the intention, and the strategy to help us with what we face today as Native Nations. The Battle of Greasy Grass reminds us of the incredible strength we can muster when we stand united as Indigenous Peoples.
We cannot ignore the weight of this moment in time. The 150th commemoration of this collective victory and resistance is unfolding against the backdrop of the United States’ 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with celebrations of falsified democracy and hollow freedom even louder than usual. This contrast makes us pause to ask ourselves: What do we want the next 250 years to look like for Indigenous people?
Relatives, we have seen what is possible when we come together as Native nations. We saw it in the unity at Pe’ Sla just last month, and in all nine tribes of the Oceti Sakowin passing resolutions to move forward on legislation to return federal land in the Black Hills to its rightful stewards. Though we stand in a different formation than our ancestors did on that battlefield 150 years ago, the roots of that power still flow through our spirits. They are alive within us and in the prayers from our ancestors, and we must draw strength from them to build a world where Indigenous people, and all people, can thrive [NDN Collective, “Roots of Resistance in the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass Victory,” Landback.org, 2026.06.17].
Thursday, June 25, is the 150th anniversary of the actual battle, but numerous activities celebrating the Indian victory then and Native unity now are going on all week at the Greasy Grass and around the High Plains. The National Park Service is allowing free entrance to the Little Bighorn Battlefield Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.