6/24/03 - Reported by: Heather Williams
Email: news@ksvi.com
The national dedication of the Indian memorial at the Little
Bighorn battlefield is just a day away. Local police are
busy preparing for the event. News Channel 6's Heather
Williams has details of Wednesday's monumental
event.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) expects nearly
30,000 people to take part in the dedication. It's said
to be the largest gathering of Indian tribes since the
battle at Wounded Knee.
To prepare for the event, the BIA has purchased a
mobile incident command unit. This local district is the
second out of six nationwide to get one. According to
Darren Cruzan, Chief of the BIA police, they
got the vehicle "Mainly because of tomorrow's
events."
"It's about time," said Chief Robert Pease
of the BIA.
No doubt, part of the reason is the area the
district has to cover. "2.2 million
acres," said Pease. "That's a big area. It's
about 100 miles wide and 80 miles long."
Communicating in this vast area is critical, and now,
thanks to the unit's satellite communication capability
-- including radios, telephones and televisions -- that
won't be a problem.
The unit is run by a generator and can be powered up
and ready to go in seconds. "This is
nice," said Pease. "It's so incredible to be a
part of this."
The schedule of events is as follows:
| Time |
Event |
Place |
| 10 am |
Welcome/Introduction |
|
| 12 noon |
Buffalo Lunch |
LBH Battlefield |
| 4 pm |
Ultimate Warrior Challenge |
St. Dennis Hall |
| 5 pm |
Crow Chairman's Reception |
Arbor |
| 6:30 pm |
Crow Song and Dance |
Arbor |
| 7 pm |
Match Rodeo/Races |
Edison Realbird Complex |
| 9 pm |
Pow-wow honoring veterans |
Arbor |
| 10 pm |
Fireworks |
Edison Realbird Complex |
| 10 pm |
Awards Ceremony |
Arbor |
If you're planning on attending the event, take exit
512 where there will be parking available. Buses will
then shuttle spectators to the battlefield. Wednesday's
keynote speakers include Crow Tribal Chairman Carl Venne,
U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, and a descendant
of Crazy Horse. It's still unclear whether former
President George Bush will attend.
