Dan Bear Crane: The importance of Sacrifice Cliff in Crow history

When I was a young boy, my grandparents told me about Sacrifice Cliff. The high cliff overlooking the river across from Coulson Park in Billings, standing hundreds of feet tall, is a testament to Akbaatatdiá, or “The Maker of All Things,” who is God. Because of the terrain it’s easy to defend and we also grew our tobacco there.

In the 1850's, a group of young Ap-saa-loo-ké warriors went on a horse stealing raid against the Blackfeet. They were seen in the far country and had to fight on the retreat home. One warrior was badly wounded and near death at the crossing of the Elk River, or “Yellowstone.” The wounded man and his older brother were left to fend for themselves while the rest of the warriors returned to camp.

A young maiden, promised to Chief Pretty Eagle, loved the older brother. She left the Arrow Creek camp to look for him and his wounded brother in the caves across from Coulson Park. After the brother healed, they returned to Pryor Gap. The older warrior told Pretty Eagle he appreciated the woman’s help. He also assured Pretty Eagle that the maiden had not been touched, even though he had fallen in love with her. Pretty Eagle gave the maiden to the warrior because he knew they loved each other.