The flag of the Crow Tribe. Image from Manataka American Indian Council

The Crow Tribe of Montana is sponsoring a billboard that proudly proclaimed "Jesus Christ Is Lord" on the reservation.

Many tribal members practice a blend of traditional and Pentecostal beliefs. So tribal leaders feel the 33-foot billboard, which went up last month, accurately reflects life on the reservation.

"We still speak our language, we still practice traditional beliefs, and we have the largest tribal buffalo herd and hunt them," Senator C.J. Stewart, a member of the Crow Legislature whose 2013 resolution referenced God and Jesus Christ, told Indian Country Today. "We’re not trying to assimilate anybody, we’re just referencing our Lord.”

The resolution used the Crow word for God, Akbaatatdia, ICT reported. The Crow word for Jesus Christ is Ischawuuannaukaasua, which means “The One with Pierced Hands," ICT reported.

Get the Story:
Adrian Jawort: A Message from the Crow Nation: ‘Jesus Christ Is Lord’ (Indian Country Today 1/19)
Crow government erects sign proclaiming 'Jesus is Lord' on reservation (The Billings Gazette 12/24)