Participants in the Real Bird's Little Bighorn & Custer Battle Reenactment. Photo from Facebook
Cheyenne’s welcome Lakota riders to Little Big Horn Anniversary
By Clara Caufield The last week in June in Cheyenne and Crow country is action packed. In 2015, we celebrate and observe the 139th anniversary of both the Rosebud Battle (the Cheyenne call it Where the girl saved her brother) and the Battle of the Little Big Horn which we call the Custer Fight or Greasy Grass Fight. The activities are numerous including White River Cheyenne Days in Busby, pow wow, horse racing etc.; at Crow is the annual Native Days, a similar event, including rodeo; many commemorations at the Battlefield on June 25 and even the Realbird Re-enactment near Garryowen, now supplanting the non-Indian reenactment at Hardin. The Cheyenne have a little joke about that. They say, “Now, the Crows are trying to kill Custer every year. But, it only took the Cheyenne and Lakota one time to do it.” (Just good Indian humor, no offense meant to our Crow friends and neighbors.) For the past 24 years, the Northern Cheyenne have been happy to welcome our Lakota friends from Pine Ridge who ride to the Battlefield, crossing Cheyenne country under the direction of Mel Lonehill, Wendell Yellow Bull and Shorty Brewer. Cheyenne families such as Jenny Parker, Roger and Mabel Killsnight and Rosita Sioux will host them, providing good camping and meals, all out of personal pocket, demonstrating our finest tribal value. A new supporter has been added this year, our good Crow friend, Faron Iron. Also, the Cheyenne River Lakota send riders, but so far, I haven’t had the chance to hook up with them. Hopefully, we can do that soon. The Northern Cheyenne also ride to the Battlefield on June 25, the Morning Star Riders who have been doing that for more than a decade. Winfield Russell, tribal vice-president is a key organizer of that event. Rumor has it that this year the Lakota and Cheyenne may join together again – as in 1876 – at the Battlefield. Personally, I think that would be wonderful. Over the past few years, it has been my honor and privilege to write stories about both groups of riders, even joining my fellow Cheyenne a couple of times as a Morning Star Rider. From that, I can say that it is a long hot journey, but invigorating because of the fellowship along the way. Truly, we are all on our best behavior at such times, proud to be Cheyenne and even prouder of our ancestors. From writing stories, I have become friends with Mel Lonehill, a true gentleman and Lakota statesman if ever there was one. I greatly admire his commitment and dedication to the ride and teaching the young ones about our history and culture. That also extends to the other ride organizers. This year, I am honored to have the opportunity to ride with these Lakota friends as they make their way from Busby to the Battlefield. They will camp in the Busby area, not far from where I live and I’m already looking forward to our evening visit and interview on June 22 – as there is good possibility of drymeat and frybread for supper. Mel has promised to bring me a gentle horse, an important consideration right now because I have a wounded wing, re-cooperating from a broken wrist, entirely because of my own considerable clumsiness. That is why I will not make the “Charge” to Last Stand Hill with them. I might fall off my horse in that wild melee led by daring young riders. A few years back I somehow kept my seat while participating in the charge with some very bold (may I say crazy?) Cheyenne riders, but think those days for me might be “history.” Instead, I will settle for the photo shoot, hoping to capture the excitement of that annual charge to share with Native Sun readers in the next issue. I recently read that the Lakota yelled Hokahay! when going into battle. Maybe I’ll just settle for that. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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