The history of the Crow people, like that of many Indigenous nations, is deeply rooted in oral traditions and collective memory. While some aspects of this rich history have been lost over time, a vast tapestry of stories and narratives remains vibrant within the Crow community, much of which is yet to be formally documented. This Crow Tribal Timeline serves as a brief overview of significant events in the history of the Apsáalooke, also known as the Crow Tribe.
Time Immemorial: The Creation Story
The Apsáalooke creation story begins with "First Maker," a solitary figure wandering a world entirely covered in water. In his quest to create land, First Maker sends various ducks diving into the primordial sea. The little duck succeeds in bringing back a plant and a bit of mud. With these elements, First Maker, in collaboration with the ducks, fashions the world. He crafts the sky, populates the earth with plants, trees, and animals, and divides the land with bodies of water. Finally, he adorns the heavens with the stars, the sun, and the moon, completing his creation. This foundational narrative is a cornerstone of Apsáalooke identity and worldview.
Long-ago Times: Origins in the Great Lakes Region
The ancestors of the Crow people are believed to have originated in the "Land of Forests and Many Lakes," a region encompassing the upper Great Lakes area of what is now Canada and the United States. Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests a close relationship with other Siouan-speaking tribes, including the Hidatsa. This period represents the ancestral homeland and the early development of Crow culture and social structures.
1450: The Great Migration West
A pivotal moment in Crow history is the westward migration. Driven by the need for sustenance, fourteen groups of runners were dispatched in various directions to locate food sources. One group returned with buffalo meat, prompting the entire tribe to embark on a westward journey following the source of this crucial resource. During this period of immense change, two Crow chiefs, No Intestines (also known as No Vitals) and Red Scout, sought guidance through fasting and prayer.
Both chiefs received divine instructions. Red Scout was instructed to plant an ear of corn and establish a permanent settlement, cultivating corn as a primary food source. No Intestines, on the other hand, was directed to continue westward toward the mountains, carrying a pod of sacred seeds whose purpose would be revealed to him later. This divergence in guidance highlights the potential origins of a split within the ancestral tribe.
The migration led the Crow to the Missouri River country, where they temporarily settled alongside the Mandan people. However, No Intestines, adhering to First Maker’s instructions, decided to continue the westward journey. According to oral tradition, this journey took them initially to the region around Cardston, Alberta. Finding the winters too harsh, the band moved south, possibly reaching as far as the Great Salt Lake. Their travels continued east and south, traversing lands that now comprise Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and possibly Missouri. As evidence to this, ancient lullabies and war songs make mention of the Arrow River (Red River of Oklahoma).
Eventually, turning north and west again, they arrived in the Big Horn country of southern Montana, which would become their permanent homeland. This arduous journey shaped the Crow people, forging their identity as skilled hunters, horsemen, and adaptable survivors. This part of history is important to the Crow Tribal Timeline.
1700 – 1735: Acquisition of Horses
The Crow acquired horses from other Indigenous tribes near the Great Salt Lake. This acquisition dramatically transformed their way of life, enhancing their hunting capabilities, expanding their territory, and increasing their mobility. The horse became an integral part of Crow culture, economy, and warfare.
1743: First Contact with Europeans
The La Verendrye brothers, French-Canadian traders, encountered a group of Crow people camped at the confluence of the Big Horn and Little Big Horn Rivers. This marked the beginning of sustained contact with Europeans, initiating a period of trade, interaction, and ultimately, conflict.
1805 – 1806: Meeting with Clark
During the Lewis and Clark Expedition, members of the expedition met with Crow people at Pompey’s Pillar, a prominent rock formation along the Yellowstone River. This encounter provided valuable information about the Crow territory and customs to the explorers.
1825: The Friendship Treaty
The Crow signed their first treaty with the United States, known as the Friendship Treaty. This treaty aimed to establish peaceful relations between the Crow and the U.S. government. Long Hair, a Crow leader, signed the treaty, while Sore Belly, another leader, refused, indicating differing perspectives within the tribe regarding relations with the U.S.
1840 – 1850: Smallpox Epidemics
Devastating smallpox epidemics swept through Crow country, causing a catastrophic decline in population. The Crow population, estimated at 10,000 in 1830, plummeted to approximately 2,000. These epidemics had a profound impact on Crow society, culture, and resilience.
1851: The Fort Laramie Treaty
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 was a significant agreement between the U.S. government and several Plains tribes, including the Crow, Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Shoshone, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. This treaty defined the territorial boundaries of each tribe. The Crow were granted 38 million acres, encompassing a vast region in present-day Montana and Wyoming. The treaty aimed to establish peace and prevent conflict between the tribes and the U.S. government.
1864: Battle near Pryor
The Crow successfully defended their territory against a numerically superior force of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors in a battle near present-day Pryor, Montana. This victory demonstrated the Crow’s military prowess and their determination to protect their homeland.
1865: The Bozeman Trail
The Bozeman Trail, named after John Bozeman, became a popular route for miners and settlers traveling to the Montana gold fields. The trail cut through the Powder River country, a vital hunting ground for many tribes, including the Sioux. The Crow, recognizing the threat posed by the increasing influx of settlers, assisted the U.S. military in protecting travelers on the trail.
1868: Second Fort Laramie Treaty
The Second Fort Laramie Treaty significantly reduced Crow lands to eight million acres, a substantial loss of territory compared to the 1851 treaty. This reduction was a consequence of increasing pressure from settlers and the U.S. government’s policy of westward expansion.
1869: Government Agency Established
A U.S. government agency was established in Crow country on Mission Creek (Hide Scraper Creek) to administer relations between the Crow and the U.S. government. This agency played a significant role in implementing government policies and programs on the reservation.
1870: Expected Relocation
The Crow were expected to relocate to the reduced territory defined by the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. This relocation caused significant disruption to their traditional way of life and increased tensions with the U.S. government.
1872: Agency Moved to Rosebud River
The government agency was moved to the Rosebud River, near present-day Absarokee, Montana.
1876: Service as Scouts
The Crow continued to serve as scouts for the U.S. military during the Indian Wars. Their knowledge of the terrain and the movements of other tribes proved invaluable. Crow scouts played a crucial role in preventing a more severe defeat of General Crook at the Rosebud Battle with the Lakota and Cheyenne.
1881: Allotment Selections
One hundred Crow tribal members selected allotments of land, as outlined in the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. These individual land assignments of 320 acres were recorded in the "Crow Land Book." This marked the beginning of the allotment era, a policy aimed at breaking up tribal lands and assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society.
1882: Tribal Grazing Leases Begin
Tribal grazing leases were initiated, allowing non-Native individuals to lease Crow lands for grazing livestock. This practice generated revenue for the tribe but also led to conflicts over land use and management.
1882: Congressional Act Diminishes Crow Lands
A Congressional Act further diminished Crow lands, resulting in a compensation of $750,000, to be paid out annually at $30,000 by the Secretary of Interior. These funds were intended for homes, farming, and ranching needs.
1882: Northern Pacific Railroad Right-of-Way
A Congressional Act granted the Northern Pacific Railroad a right-of-way across Crow lands, providing the railroad with 5,084 acres in exchange for $25,000. The funds were to be used for the benefit of the Crow at the discretion of the Secretary of Interior.
1883: Government Boarding School Moved
The government boarding school was moved to its present location at Crow Agency. Parents were coerced to send their children to school under threat of ration withholding. The first three Crow children were sent to the Carlisle Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of a painful chapter in Crow history, as children were often forbidden from speaking their language or practicing their culture.
1884: Agency Moved to Present Site
The agency was moved once again, this time to its current location at Crow Agency.
1885: Chief Plenty Coups’ First Trip to Washington D.C.
Chief Plenty Coups, a prominent Crow leader, made his first trip to Washington D.C. to advocate for the rights and needs of his people.
1886: St. Xavier Mission Founded
Catholic Jesuits founded St. Xavier Mission in Crow country, receiving government support in the form of school supplies and a 160-acre land grant.
1889: Crow Agency Boarding School Built
The Crow Agency boarding school was constructed, further solidifying the government’s efforts to assimilate Crow children.
1890 – 1900s: Allotment Era
The allotment era continued, with the division of tribal lands into individual allotments.
1891: Cession of Land on Western Portion of Reservation
A Congressional Act resulted in the cession of land on the western portion of the reservation, totaling nearly two million acres, in exchange for $940,000. Crow tribal members could hold allotments in the ceded portion.
1891: Tribal Grazing Leases Changed
Tribal grazing leases were changed to a bidding system.
1891: St. Charles Mission Founded
St. Charles Mission was founded near present-day Pryor.
1900: Chief Plenty Coups’ Second Trip to Washington D.C.
Chief Plenty Coups made a second trip to Washington D.C., demanding just payment for the Burlington Railroad right-of-way across the reservation and employment for Crow men.
1903: The Annual Crow Fair Established
The Annual Crow Fair, a celebration of Crow culture, heritage, and community, was established. It continues to be a major event for the Crow people.
1903: Baptist Home Mission School Started
A Baptist Home Mission School was started at Lodge Grass, becoming popular as a day school.
1904: Congressional Act Diminishes Crow Lands Again
Another Congressional Act further diminished Crow lands, reducing the reservation to its present size of 2.3 million acres.
1914: Crow Men in World War I
Crow men answered the call to military service during World War I, demonstrating their patriotism and commitment to the United States.
1915: Senate Hearings on Reservation Administration
Senate hearings revealed evidence of incompetent administration of the Crow Reservation.
1920: The Crow Act
The Crow Act, sponsored by the Crow Tribe, allotted the remainder of the reservation into tracts to every enrolled member of the tribe. This act had significant implications for land ownership and tribal governance.
1920 – 40s: Tribal Council Committees
The Tribal Council divided into committees to address multiple issues, such as schools, oil, hospital, budget, leases, and law and order.
1921: Chief Plenty Coups Dies
Chief Plenty Coups, a revered Crow leader, passed away. He bequeathed his land to form Chief Plenty Coups State Park.
1927: Schools on the Reservation
At this time, there were 11 public schools, four Catholic schools, and one Protestant school operating on the reservation.
1934: Rejection of the Indian Reorganization Act
The Crow Tribe rejected the Indian Reorganization Act, a federal initiative aimed at promoting tribal self-governance.
1935: Indian Reorganization Act Projects
The Indian Reorganization Act provided $190,000 for 50 projects on the Crow Reservation.
1948: Adoption of Tribal Constitution
The Crow adopted their own model of a tribal Constitution, asserting their right to self-governance.
1958: Sale of Yellowtail Dam Site
The Tribe sold the Yellowtail Dam site and reservoir area for 2.5 million dollars.
1961: Constitution Amended
The tribal Constitution was amended.
1962: Court of Indian Claims Award
The Court of Indian Claims awarded the Crow Tribe $10,242,984.70 as just compensation for lands taken.
1987: Supreme Court Decision in Crow Severance Tax Case
A Supreme Court decision awarded millions to the Crow Nation in the Crow Severance Tax Case against the State of Montana.
1987: Dereliction of Duties Suit Filed
The Crow Tribe filed a dereliction of duties and breach of trust responsibility suit against the U.S. Government in regard to Section 2 of the 1920 Crow Allotment Act.
2002: New Tribal Constitution Passed
The Crow Tribe passed a new Tribal Constitution, further solidifying their self-governance and tribal sovereignty. This Crow Tribal Timeline is constantly evolving.
This Crow Tribal Timeline represents a small fraction of the vast and complex history of the Apsáalooke. It is a story of resilience, adaptation, and unwavering determination to preserve their culture and identity in the face of adversity.