Commemoration

Help plan the 150th Battle of the Greasy Grass: complete the official participant survey

The event planning committees are requesting that all riding groups, families, and tribal delegations register their attendance plans now


Henry Oscar One Bull/Tȟatȟáŋka Waŋžíla (Hunkpapa Lakota), Custer’s War, c. 1900, 39 x 69 inches (irregular), pigments, ink on muslin (Minneapolis Institute of Art)
Henry Oscar One Bull/Tȟatȟáŋka Waŋžíla (Hunkpapa Lakota), Custer’s War, c. 1900, 39 x 69 inches (irregular), pigments, ink on muslin (Minneapolis Institute of Art)
Buffalo's Fire

Buffalo's Fire

March 12, 2026, Bismarck, North Dakota

As the 150th commemoration of the Battle of the Greasy Grass (Battle of the Little Bighorn) approaches , event organizers are working to coordinate a historic tribal-led gathering. The celebration, set for June 25-27, aims to honor the 1876 victory and those who maintained the battle, by moving away from government-led ceremonies to a narrative centered on tribal sovereignty and camaraderie.

To "rock the battlefield in a good way," the planning committees need accurate information from everyone planning to attend. With more than 19 tribes already committed and thousands expected to set up camp, your participation data is the foundation of this collective effort. By contributing your details, you help ensure that every nation, family and descendant is properly represented in this historic circle.

The Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance serves on the communications committee and is distributing this survey on behalf of the organizers. Your response will help the logistics, safety and communication teams prepare for the thousands of people and horses expected near Hardin, Montana.

This information is vital for the committees managing everything from genealogy and youth programs to security and the 1,000-horse memorial ride arriving from South Dakota.

Guidelines for Participants:

  • One Form Per Group: Organizers ask that one representative fill this out for your entire unit (family, riding group or tribal delegation).
  • Estimates are Encouraged: Numbers don’t have to be exact. Provide a best guess now; you can update your entry later via your confirmation email.
  • Stay Informed: Completing the survey is the best way to stay in the loop for the next in-person planning meeting scheduled for March 2026.

Privacy: All data is collected specifically for event operations and to keep the movement of people connected and safe.

Buffalo's Fire

Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
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