Crow Tribe Chairman Darrin Old Coyote speaks at the groundbreaking for a new rest area that will be constructed across from the Little Big Horn Battlefield on Highway 212 in Crow Agency, Montana. Photo from Crow Nation News / Facebook
Crow Tribe collaborates with State to develop rest area near Little Big Horn Battlefield
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent CROW AGENCY, Mont –– At the June 25, 2015, 139th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn Battle, thousands of visitors will throng to the third most popular tourist attraction in Montana. Each year the Battlefield draws over 300,000 visitors from throughout the world, fans of both the Indian victors and General George Armstrong Custer. They will enjoy the day, if they can find parking. Many visitors arrive in huge travel trailers or tour buses, including the park tour concession, operated by the Crow Tribe. Those over-sized vehicles devour limited parking at the main cemetery and visitor’s center creating “a congested traffic challenge”, very frustrating for park officials and visitors alike, explained Denice Swanke, Battlefield Superintendent. “For so many state, national and international visitors, the Battlefield is an extraordinary opportunity to experience the history of Montana’s first people,” said Mt. Lt Governor McLean in a keynote address during a ceremonial ground breaking for the Rest Area, scheduled to be built across from the Battlefield on highway 212 on Crow tribal lands. The project is made possible through a unique 4-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) involving the Crow Tribe, the MT Department of Transportation, the National Park Service (Little Big Horn Battlefield) and the Federal Highway Administration. “The new Rest Area will be an economic boom to the Crow reservation, the 212 highway corridor, I-90 corridor and our part of southeastern Montana,” said CJ Stewart, Chair of the Crow Natural Resources Committee, managing Crow Tribal land as an elected member of the Crow Legislature. The MOU, finalized in 2014 was years in the making according to Stefan Streeter, Billings District Administrator for the MT Department of Transportation. “It has been a great working relationship with the Crow Tribe, including the Chairman Darren Old Coyote, Vice-Chairman Sean Backbone who took a special interest in the project and Marilyn Blacksmith, his assistant. The Chairman has been amazing to work with. Without them, this project would not have happened. They deserve the credit for it” he commented.
The Indian Memorial at the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana. Photo from National Park Service
Under the MOU, the Crow Tribe will provide a long term lease for the new Rest Area, estimated at about 30 acres. The State will provide from four - five million for construction and development through the State Rest Area Administration which finances such a project every other year. The Federal Highways Program will be involved in the planning and design as will the National Park Service, Little Big Horn Battlefield. Swanke is glad about the development, which could also compliment ongoing planning for a new Battlefield visitor center. “The Rest Area can provide a much needed service for visitors by enhancing our limited parking and restroom services,” she said. On the other hand, Swanke posed other concerns which will be addressed during the planning/design phase. Because the new Rest Area will be located on a nearby hill, the pristine battlefield “view shed” must be considered, she explained. “For example, from Last Stand Hill, the new rest stop could probably be seen,” she mentioned. “Thus the lighting fixtures must be sky friendly, to help protect the natural area.” Swanke also explained that the new Rest Area may include picnic areas, performance plazas and interpretive signs or exhibits related to the Battlefield and associated attractions. From preliminary discussion those that could include the Plenty Coups Park, the Rosebud Battlefield, Crow Fair, a staging areas for tours and vending opportunity for local tribal artisans. “That is great," said James “Putt” Thompson, owner of Custer Battlefield Trading Post located just across from the Battlefield. “Every little bit of economic investment in this area helps.” Thompson who employs nearly 40 tribal members in his largely seasonal business also noted: “This will be a real boost to our local economy. If they stop here, they might spend some money which will help our local folks. Money rolls around in a local economy.” Gary Neville, Engineering Services Supervisor, Billings Area MDOT office is lead staffer for the State on the project and explained the process. When the MOU was finalized, a series of events were triggered. First was selection of the site: four locations were considered but after the massive flood of 2011, a prime site on the Crow Reservation off Interstate 90 was eliminated. Now that a final site (adjacent to the Custer Battlefield Trading Post, on a nearby rise) has been agreed upon, layout for parking and orientation of the buildings, and various Native themes for the Rest Area, including Battlefield view considerations, is underway.
Tourists gather at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. Photo from National Park Service / Facebook
The consultant will provide permitting options for various features in the site engineering and development phase. After public comment and participation, a final plan will be adopted. That process is contracted to DOWL a Billings based engineering firm with considerable experience in working with Tribes. MDOT officials hope the process can be completed soon, allowing for construction by the end of 2016, The Crow Tribe has also posed a larger vision for the site, including a Museum and other tourism components. As land owners, that Tribe will be in the driver’s seat for development. Chairman Old Coyote however has been careful to invite comment from other Tribes. “It is time for all Tribes to put aside past differences and work together,” he reportedly said after his recent election as President of the Consortium of Large Tribes (COLT), “The Battlefield is considered sacred ground,” Swanke explained. “By law, recreational activities cannot be allowed at a national cemetery. That is one reason there are no picnic areas or recreational sites at the Battlefield. Having those options at the new Rest Area would provide additional options for our visitors.” A notable exception is the annual luncheon provided to tribal guests (Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, Arapaho and others) during the annual anniversary. In 2015, the luncheon will not be provided due to budget constraints, scheduled to resume in 2016 to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial. Many tribal delegations, including Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux and Northern Cheyenne will ride to the Battlefield on horseback, camping among Northern Cheyenne friends and relatives on the way, arriving on June 25th to conduct honoring activities, including re-enactment of the Indian charges against the 7th Calvary. (Clara Caufield can be reached @acheyennevoice.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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