FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday June 22, 2026
Crow Agency, Montana – 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 recently released a blog covering the history of the Battle of Greasy Grass in more detail on Landback.org.