Hardin MT and Custer National Monument

Custer

We rearranged our itinerary a little and got to Hardin, Montana for the 136^th anniversary of Custer’s Last Stand.  Hardin celebrates “Big Horn Days” with a street festival to include bed races (uh huh) and a street dance.  The Crow Nation has a heritage festival at the same time.  We visited the Custer National Monument, and were present for a wreath laying for all who perished.  Next to the Monument stands a memorial to the Native Americans who died as well.  The Ranger talk there is outstanding, much to the credit of Ranger Adelson, a retired history teacher. 

-         There was a banking collapse and recession just prior to the gold rush in the Black Hills.

-         The Sioux had been promised by treaty that the Black Hills would be theirs.

-         Custer’s orders were so vague- we read them- he was told to basically do what you think you should…

-         The attack on the Indians was supposed to have come from 3 directions.  One had been defeated a few days earlier, and had retreated and gone fishing by the time of Custer’s battle.

-         They didn’t have cell phones or radios… (I knew that)

We went to the Hardin re-enactment of Custer’s Last Stand.  It was 100 degrees and dusty.  They covered much more than the battle- they included the history leading up to it.  What really impressed me though was that the 300 people who stage the re-enactment are a mix of races, and the story is told without belittling or shaming any one perspective.  Before the performance they honored one of the Native American leaders of the group by performing a sacred ceremony for his family.  I was just impressed that such a turning point in a period of controversy, betrayal, and defeat could be portrayed with such grace.

Being there is just so much more powerful than reading about these things.