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The Crow Reservation in Montana is home to most of the tribe’s members and a coal mine providing employment. Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Little Big Horn College, and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument offer cultural and historical experiences. The Bighorn River and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area provide outdoor activities. The Crow Fair and Rodeo and Chief Plenty Coups Day of Honor celebrate Crow culture.
Located in south-central Montana, the Crow Reservation is home to approximately 75 percent of the 10,000 Native American tribe members. A coal mine located on the reservation provides employment for many members of the tribe. While a large portion of the farmland and pasture land is on the Crow Reservation, the tribe manages only a small portion where it still maintains a herd of American Bison. Chief Plenty Coups, the last traditional chief of the Crows, decreed on his death in 1932 that all of his land, as well as his house, was to serve as a sanctuary for his people, which is now called the Crow Reserve .
Chief Plenty Coups State Park is where Chief Plenty Coups is buried. The park includes his grave, as well as a museum featuring Crow artifacts and tribal history. There is also a traditional Native American cabin and picnic area on site. Little Big Horn College is located on the Crow Reservation and offers associate degrees in eight different fields. Offers tours and presentations to visitors.
In 1876, the Sioux and Cheyenne defeated the 7th Cavalry of the United States Army (USA) at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The battlefield is located on the Crow Reservation and is commemorated with the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. An interpretive centre, museum and guided tours offer a comprehensive overview of the history of the battle and its outcome.
The Bighorn River, a blue-ribbon trout fishery, flows through the Crow Reservation. Camping by reservation is only allowed for seven days. Restrooms, a boat launch, and parking areas for camping trailers are available along the Bighorn River near St. Xavier. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Yellowtail Dam, located in Fort Smith, also offers boating, fishing and camping. Visitor centers are located at both the dam and Fort Smith providing historical information about the area and the dam.
Every August, the Crow Fair and Rodeo attracts one of the largest gatherings for the Crow Nation. With more than 1,500 teepees on average, it is considered the largest modern Native American encampment in the United States. Chief Plenty Coups Day of Honor celebrates Crow culture and features music, dance, gravesite visits, and a bison feast. The annual celebration is generally open to all people, held in remembrance of the great raven chief.
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