Crow Agency Horizons Project Vision Statement: The Apsaalooke Community seeks to improve its quality of life by balancing and sustaining cultural values, language and education to ensure prosperity for all.
Benchmark 1: By the end of four years, Apsaalooke cultural/language institutions and organizations for children, youth, young adults are developed and in place.
Benchmark 2: By the end of seven years, the foundational legal and physical infrastructure required to protect the environment and sustain economic development on the Crow Reservation is in place.
Benchmark 3: By the end of ten years, the characteristics of a thriving Tribal community is beginning to emerge and be visible.
Benchmark 4: By the end of thirteen years, the tribal and individual ownership of the land within the exterior boundaries of the Crow Reservation will increase by ten percent.
Benchmark 5: By the end of sixteen years, multiple revenue streams created through diversified economic strategies will promote and sustain economic self-sufficiency. Our community vision statement and benchmark timelines are based upon the Apsaalooke belief ways. The vision is for 21 years, the number of tipi poles required to complete the lodge. In addition, the vision statement evolves from the Apsaalooke blessing of good health, good life, good luck, happiness by Clan fathers or mothers to their children.
The benchmark timelines of 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 are significant Apsaalooke numbers. The number 4 signifies the base poles of the Apsaalooke tipi and represents the four cardinal directions and seasons. The number 7 signifies celestial bodies or beings that help the Apsaalooke, the seven buffalo and seven brothers. The number 10 signifies the number of months a child is in the womb of its mother. The number 13 signifies the number of lunar months in the Apsaalooke lunar year and the 13 original clans of the Apsaalooke.The number 16 is derived from the number of willow poles required to complete a large sweat lodge.