- Details
- By Levi Rickert
The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council is punching back at the sanitizing of history by the Trump administration that is removing Native American signs, markers, monuments, or exhibits at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
Earlier this week, the Council unanimously passed a resolution that opposes any change to the current language that describes broken promises to Native American tribes and references the loss of Indigenous culture and language caused by federal boarding school systems.
The Trump administration recently announced it had flagged two exhibits at the monument near Crow Agency as noncompliant with a broader effort to reshape certain historical narratives.
The Council cited federal law authorizing the site’s name and Indian Memorial, as well as Montana’s constitutional and statutory commitments to preserving American Indian cultural integrity through education.
The resolution emphasizes the historical importance of educating the public about the 1876 battle, in which Cheyenne and Lakota warriors successfully defended their families and homelands against the U.S. Army. Tribal leaders warned that removing or altering Native American recognition would undermine decades of healing, unity, and progress symbolized by the Indian Memorial.
While firmly opposing any changes, the Tribe also authorized consultation with federal and state officials, including Montana’s congressional delegation, to prevent removals and ensure continued recognition of Native American history at the battlefield.
Read the full press release here:
The Northern Cheyenne Tribe took official action Monday morning (Feb. 2, 2026) to oppose the reported Trump Administration order to change or remove signs, markers, and exhibits recognizing Native Americans at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. In a unanimous vote 11-0, the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council adopted a resolution to prevent changes to or removals of Native American markers, monuments, and signage at the battlefield.
The Tribe, in its resolution, cited federal Public Law 102-201 that officially changed the battlefield name to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and authorized the Indian Memorial there. The Tribe also referenced the State of Montana’s constitution Article X that sets the state’s educational goals for the preservation of the cultural integrity of American Indians, which is implemented through Montana’s “Indian Education For All” law MCA 20-1-501. For the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, educating the public about the battle and surrounding events has been vital.
On June 25, 1876 the United States Army 7th Cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer attacked the complex of six Cheyenne and Lakota encampments at the Little Bighorn River, and these allied warriors successfully defended their homes and families by defeating the aggressors, becoming the most famous battle of the West. The rare victory represents the Native American’s proud resistance to the loss of their traditional homelands, and it represents defending the lives-and-way of life of their people.
Northern Cheyenne President Gene Small noted: “You know, the 2003 Indian Memorial at the battlefield was themed ‘Peace through Unity’ and it’s ironic that today the Administration is sowing division and conflict.”
For the 2024 Little Bighorn Battle commemoration, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe echoed the sage words of Wooden Legs, a warrior who fought Custer: “A long time ago we were enemies. Today we are friends.” Northern Cheyenne Vice President Ernest Littlemouth, the Tribe’s designated official for the 150th battle anniversary events, stated: “This attempt to change or remove tribal markers and monuments dims the light of the healing and progress we have all made.”
It is the resolute position of the Tribe that to alter or remove signs and exhibits honoring Native Americans at the battlefield -- or to harm warrior markers and monuments would go against federal law, and would betray the spirit of Montana’s constitutional goal to preserve American Indian cultural integrity.
However, before it reaches this flashpoint, the Tribe’s resolution also authorizes consultation with the government regarding this matter. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe will appeal to the voices of reason in the Montana Delegation (Daines, Sheehy, Zinke, Downing), and consult other agencies to prevent any adverse changes or removals of Native American recognition at the battlefield.
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