Crow Agency, MT

In the 1990’s, Crow Native Days was founded by Carl Venne as an event to entertain the Crow Youth. He was assigned a project by the Crow Tribe to look for alternatives to combat drug and alcohol abuse by the Crow youth and adults. This is an event that instills pride in the Crow Culture and provides historical value and insight. Events such as the  Men’s and Women”s Ultimate Warrior Challenge, Arrow Throwing tournament, Powwow, Rodeo and Horse Racing, local cusine, arts and crafts, art show, concerts, fireworks show, parade, fun runs and walks, horse shoe tournaments,  provide activities for young and old. This event is a close second to the Annual Crow Fair and Rodeo which is held in August each year.

A flurry of activity occurred around Crow Agency as residents and Crow Tribal Administration began preparations for Crow Native Days which is scheduled for June 24 through June 29, 2008.  Another community clean-up was sponsored by the Office of Environmental Planning and Protection to ensure that the town looked presentable to all of the visitors. In addition, the Crow Agency Chamber of Commerce was refurbished with an arbor and ampitheater for summer presentations and activities. This area will host local artisan Market on Saturday and Sunday of Crow Native Days. 

Three local youth leaders attend the First People’s Youth Camp held on the Great Falls University campus the week of June 16-21, 2008. Vanessa Yarlott, Shakira Glenn and Timothy McCleary, Jr. were selected to represent the Crow Reservation and Billings Area. Each student had to submit an essay on how they would utilize the Entreprenuerial knowledge and skills obtain at the camp.  The camp is a culmination of a five month planning effort to train Native American youth in Montana. The camp was funded by a grant from Rural Dynamics, First Interstate Bank, Community Development Section,  and University of Great Falls. The university gave each student who completed the camp a four year scholarship.

 A one day workshop was held for entrepreneurs on the Crow reservation on May 2, 2008. The workshop was co-sponsored by the Entrepreneur development program, Mt. State Department of Commerce and the Extension Office at Little Big Horn College. The workshop provided a step by step review of the Finance Tool Kit to assist individuals in development  of a solid and fundable business plan.  Each participant receive a free Finance Tool Kit to take home and use. A total of 20 individuals participated in the workshop.

A ride to commerate the sacrifice of Crow Warriors during the 1850’s smallpox epidemic that almost wipedout the Apsaalooke nation took place in the Four Dances Recreational area on June 24, 2008. The Messengers for Men’s Health group spear headed by Mr. James Real Bird and William Eggers planned this historical event. A total of 1oo riders in Apsaalooke apparel rode to the edge of the southern cliff and looked down upon the City of Billings. Representatives from the Bridging Cultures and Communities steering committee pariticipated in the ride. A pipe ceremony was held for the healing of the generations from historical truama and a prayer for reconciliation of the races was offered. This is the beginning of many cross-cultural activities between the City of Billings and Crow Agency.  

A workshop for local farmers and land owners was offered on June 13, 2008 at the Student Services Building, Little Big Horn College Campus. A collaborative effort between Agriculture Department at Montana State University-Bozeman and the Extension Office at Little Big Horn College. The workshop provided an overview on the various types of crops that can be grown successfully in South Centeral Montana. Also, the feasibility of developing a biodiesel fuel plant was discussed. As an alternative fuel option, biodiesel barely provides 3 percent of the overall fuel production in the nation. Food for thought???

The Apsaalooke Water Authority initiated Phase II of its water and sewer infrastructure improvement project for Crow Agency in March, 2008. Western Municipal Construction was awarded the contract for this project.  Phase II is funded by a variety of agencies such as U.S.D. A . and Mt. Coal Board grant,  to replace and upgrade the entire system. The town of Crow Agency had been utilizing an antequated system that was installed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs around 1905. James Real Bird, John Doyle and Larry Kindness are responsible for chartering the Water Authority and securing funds for this important project. It took this team seven years to get to this point. Although the residents and employees have to deal with detours, dirt, rough roads, and waterless days. It is well worth the inconvenience. When the entire project is completed by the end of 2009, Crow Agency will have a safe and sufficient water and sewer system that will meet all standards.  

Three Steering committee members from the Crow Agency Horizons Project attend the Govenor’s conference on Tourism & Recreation that was held in West Yellowstone, Montana on April 16-17, 2008.  In attendance were Latonna Old Elk, Sharon Peregoy and Jackie Yellowtail. The Montana Department of Commerce and  Montana Tourism Alliance provided conference scholarships which coverrd the cost of lodging and registration costs. The conference provided strategies for communities and entreprenuers on marketing their products and services. A trade show provided us opportunities to network with national vendors. Also, Sharon Peregoy met the personnel of Montana’s International Marketing Program located in China (Mei Mei Wang) & Japanese Market (Mako Sakaguchi) to share information about Geo tourism opportunities on the Crow Reservation.  

On June 11, 2008 the Bridging Cultures and Communities committee was officially formed at a meeting held on the Little Big Horn College campus. The Mission of this steering committee is:Building Bridges of reconciliation and respect between communities and cultures.

The objectives are: 1) To develop continuing, effective communication concerning economic development and other projects of mutual benefit; 2) To promote mutual understanding of and respect for cultural diversity and contributions; 3) to provide opportunities for shared experiences, education and partnership projects. Next meeting has been scheduled for July.

Dr. Megan Benson, researcher and professor at University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma was the keynote at the Crow Land and history symposium on June 1o, 2008.  She presented her research and findings regarding  the historical fight for Crow Water. In addition,  Dr. Barney Old Coyote, elder and oral historian, presented the social, cultural and economic impact upon the Crow Tribe in the governments decisions regarding Crow water. The format of the symposium allowed for small group discussion with the presenters. Crow Tribal Land owners, college students and youth recieved special intivations to attend. Aproximately 150 people attend this event. The purpose of the symposium is to provide background information that significantly impacts Crow land and use for the Crow land owner.This activity was co-sponsored by the Little Big Horn College Extension Office and the Horizons Project.