Beyond the 150th

June 24 at the Oglala horse camp on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

Ernestine Chasing Hawk, a descendant of Sitting Bull, shares her family story on June 27 while in Hardin, Montana. The recordings are part of Buffalo's Fire Greasy Grass Oral History Project.

The Oceti Sakowin Council Lodge in the Greasy Grass tipi encampment

Another wonderful video by James Brugh

Charge up the hill!

For some 35 years, the Real Bird family who live on the Crow Reservation, have been hosting a Little Bighhorn Battlefield reenactment near Garryowen, Montana. On Saturday, June 27, the family brought together nearly 150 supporting cast and crew to unfold Native history leading up to the historic battle.

Greasy Grass Battle horse riders charge up hill as spectators look on during 150th commemorative acts on June 25 at Little Bighorn battlefield.

What a week it was!

Following the “charge up the hill,” circling the site of Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s death at the Battle of Greasy Grass (Little Bighorn), riders and onlookers soaked in the aftermath. Witnessing and reliving the charge felt like a link back to the past — but in the modern age, with phones and cameras. The mood was happy, and many were war whooping and celebrating, feeling at peace. 

It’s day three at tipi camp and everyone is getting ready for another day of activities. Here is one family unloading their horses from the trailer. This morning's rain was a blessing — we can see firsthand how the local tribes call this land Greasy Grass. 

Blue Bird Lifeways hosted a Victory Run marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass. The 45-mile run began at Medicine Deer Rocks and ended at the battlefield. Cheyenne, Oceti Sakowin and Arapaho youth participated. Here they are running through the tipi encampment. 

This is a three-minute drone video of riders reenacting the “charge up the hill,” circling the site of Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s death at the Battle of Greasy Grass (Little Bighorn) on June 25 at the Little Bighorn National Monument.

The reenactment of the charge on U.S. Calvary and Waktegli at the Battle of Little Bighorn Battlefield is about to begin.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Buffalo’s Fire oral histories and testimonies during the 150th Commemoration of the Battle of Greasy Grass (Little Bighorn) to help preserve and share family and community perspectives, memories and reflections. Audio and video will be housed at a designated tribal college/university. Here we are with Philemon Two Eagle, Sicangu Lakota Nation. “Tatanka was our relative; restore the bison to all our lands on a large scale; to rise up from here; to teach our children how to build homes, to become self-sufficient and self-sustaining: that’s why I’m here — so that our children will live.“

The reenactment of the charge on U.S. Calvary and Waktegli at the Battle of Little Bighorn Battlefield is about to begin. The community is waiting for the charge of 300 horses.

The Horse Nation Ceremony started in a powerful and meaningful way. Arvol Looking Horse, Cheyenne River Sioux, 19th generation keeper of White Buffalo Calf Pipe, started the honoring with a welcome. Then he talked about the importance of caring for the horses. “Welcome every one of you to the 150th anniversary of Little Bighorn, our great victory we had 150 years ago. The ceremony here, it’s a lot of responsibility to take care of our horses, but I thank all the people who helped us out.” Next in the video, some native youth riders wait for the honoring to start.

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn. On the morning of June 25, 1876, Crow and Arikara scouts warned the 7th Cavalry that they were moving against a massive, organized Native encampment.

Read our full coverage of Little Bighorn and check the Native agenda with the calendar of events planned for the day.

We had a beautiful evening of prayer, song and dance. It was a time for our community to come together in a good way, honoring our ancestors, our traditions and one another. You could truly feel the healing throughout the evening as people gathered in prayer, shared songs and danced together. We are grateful to be here.

Our tipi!

More images coming from the Cheyenne camp.

As people continue to set up, we are here on the ground at Oglala camp, Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana. Katherine Tekawithia Water, Crazy Horse rider, descendancy of Wounded Knee Massacre, started the day off with a welcoming morning song. It’s about looking for an arbor for a circle of prayer - Lakota Sioux Winya

Lodges are rising in the main Allied Nations tipi encampment near the Little Bighorn National Monument. Tribes are actively arriving and assembling the historic camp. Recent photos from the grounds capture the scale and community of the gathering.

Buffalo’s Fire Editor-in-Chief Jodi Rave Spotted Bear will be a featured guest on Native American Calling today from 11 a.m. to noon. Broadcasting live from a tipi camp in Montana, Spotted Bear joins other tribal citizens to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Greasy Grass. She will discuss the Buffalo's Fire Memorial Wall project and share the story of her great-great-grandfather, Bear With Horns, who died in the battle. The episode will also feature historians and descendants Ernie LaPointe and Donovin Sprague.

Hello everyone,

It's hard to believe I've been here in Montana for four days. We've been busy setting up the tipi camp for our family recordings. I'll be on Native American Calling today. The show is from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Lodges are starting to rise in the main Allied Nations tipi encampment near the Little Bighorn National Monument not far from Garryowen, Montana.

We are on the ground at the 150th Commemoration of the Battle of Greasy Grass. Welcome to our Live Blog! Our team — led by Editor-in-Chief Jodi Rave Spotted Bear — will be posting live updates, photos and more straight from the battlegrounds through the closing events on June 29.

This is a historic two weeks of remembrance, healing and community. We’re tracking a massive schedule of rides, ceremonies and gatherings that honor the warriors of the Little Bighorn battle. You can see the Native agenda here.

Four groups of 40-plus horse riders are making their way along Highway 212 to Greasy Grass Battlefield from the Cheyenne River Reservation. Groups include Pejito Wakpa Riders (Green Grass), Wakinyan Wakpa Youth Riders, Santee Riders and Prayer Horse Riders out of Nevada (Pauite). Today they ride from Alzada, Montana, to Hammond, Montana, and they crossed the Montana state line this afternoon.