The Crow are a Native American group that historically lived on the Yellowstone River in Montana and Wyoming. The Crow Nation currently has its headquarters on a 3.5 million square mile reservation south of Billings, Montana.
Fast Facts:
- Current population: 10,000
- Region: Yellowstone River valley, Montana
- Related tribes: Hidatsa
- Native American Name: Apsaalooke
- Pronounced: Opp-sah-Loh-kay
- Meaning: "People of the large beaked bird"
History and Culture
The Crow were a nomadic tribe linguistically related to the Hidatsa. At some point in their history, historians believe that both the Crow and Hidatsa migrated westward from the headwaters of the Mississippi River, in northern Minnesota, to their current home around the Yellowstone River in Montana. This may have been due to population pressures brought about by European settlement to the east pushing other Native American tribes westward. The Lewis and Clark expedition encountered the Crow, who promptly stole half of their horses. The Crow were one of the first tribes in the west to acquiesce to white incursions, and they did not offer the fierce resistance of their neighbors, the Sioux.
Culture and Practices
The Crow were one of the first tribes to adopt the horse after its importation by the Spanish in the 17th century, and they became known as excellent horseman and shrewd traders. The traditional habitation of the Crow is the tepee or tipi, a shelter crafted from bison skin and trees fashioned into poles.
Crow Tribe Society
Crow Tribe Timeline
1805: Lewis and Clark Expedition travels across Crow territory
1825: The first treaty between the Crow and the United States is signed by Crow leader Long Hair and Major O'Fallon
1840: The Crow are afflicted with the first of three severe smallpox epidemics
1877: The Crow maintain constant attacks against the invading Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho,
1881: Sitting Bull and his followers surrender at Fort Buford, North Dakota
1887: Crow war leader Wraps His Tail lead an unsuccessful insurgency against the United States Government
1888: Against possible imprisonment and/or death, the Crow leader Two Leggings leads a counter attack against a Lakota
1900: Historians believe this to be the last intertribal conflict to occur on the Northern Plains
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