"The unveiling of the "Peace Through Unity" Indian Memorial at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Crow Agency was held June 25, 2003 on the Battle's 127th Anniversary. 

The "Peace Through Unity" Indian Memorial honors the Native Americans who died on this sacred ground on June 25 and 26, 1876.  The Indians who fought in this fateful battle, while fighting to preserve their land and culture are remembered and recognized.  The ceremony was held at the Little Bighorn Battlefield June 25th, 2003

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Photo Credit Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument

On Dec.10 1991, the Indian Memorial was authorized by Congress and signed into law by former President George Bush.

Once known as Custer Battlefield National Monument, the law renamed the site Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and also called for the design, construction and maintenance of a memorial to recognize the Indians who fought to preserve their land and culture in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. 

The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument commemorates one of American's most significant and famous battles, where two divergent cultures clashed in a life or death struggle.  Four hundred years of conflict between Euro-Americans and Native Americans culminated on this ground and resulted in the defeat of 12 companies of Seventh Cavalry by Lakota (Sioux) Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors.

In 1881 a memorial was erected on Last Stand Hill, over the mass grave of the Seventh Cavalry soldiers, U.S. Indian Scouts, and other personnel killed in battle.  Today, many visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield that honors the U.S. Army's roll.  The fallen Lakota and Cheyenne warriors were removed by their families and buried in the Native American tradition in teepees or      tree-scaffolds in the nearby Little Bighorn Valley.  Until this event, no memorial has paid tribute to the Native Americans who struggled to preserve and defend their homeland and traditional way of life.  Their heroic sacrifices were never formally recognized until now.

One hundred and twenty-seven years after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, this new Indian Memorial brings all Americans full circle, through the theme, "Peace Through Unity". The design is a living memorial to the Plains Indian women children and warriors who took part in the fateful battle and whose spirit and culture survive, continuing the Plains Indian Legacy.

For more information about the "Peace Through Unity" Indian memorial dedication please contact the Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument at 406-638-3213. Kitty Deernose, Museum Curator.

For events in Custer Country, persons may contact Jim Schaefer, Executive Director of Custer Country at (406) 778-3336, or contact Christopher Kortlander, director of Custer Battlefield Museum at (406) 638-1876.  

Visit these sites for additional information & Events:
Custer Country  
www.custer.visitmt.com  

Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument   
www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm

Visit the New Live Webcam at the Little Big Horn Battlefield

Custer's Last Stand Reenactment 
  www.custerslaststand.org 

Crow Nations