'Today I am celebrating the victory of our people': Native Americans ring in the anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn

Key Points:

• The anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, a significant Native American victory where Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and over 200 U.S. troops were killed, was commemorated with reenactments and cultural events near the Little Bighorn River in Montana.
• Native tribes from across the region gathered to celebrate their heritage through horse riding, traditional songs, dances, and sharing oral histories, emphasizing their enduring presence and cultural resilience.
• The battle, sparked by U.S. military campaigns following gold discoveries in the Black Hills, symbolized Native resistance to forced displacement and was led by prominent leaders like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
• Custer remains a controversial figure, seen as both a tragic hero in U.S. history and a symbol of aggressive westward expansion that brought hardship to Native peoples; he was fluent in Native languages but fought to displace tribes.
• The commemorations serve as a vital means of preserving Native languages, history, and identity, reinforcing the message that despite centuries of injustice, Native American communities continue to thrive and honor their ancestors.