Over 10,000 tribal members are enrolled in the Crow Tribe and many live on the 2.5 million acres that make up the Crow Indian Reservation. This huge reservation, approximately 60 miles wide and 40 miles long, lies in south central Montana.
The annual Crow Fair, one of the largest pow wows held in the United States, takes place at Crow Agency every August.
Crow Agency is also near the popular tourist site of the Battle of the Big Horn National Monument. Each year they produce an excellent re-enactment of the battle.
Crow Indian Children
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CROW TRIBAL GOVERNMENT:
The United States Government as defined by the
United States Constitution has governmental relationships with
International, Tribal, and State entities. The Tribal nations
have a government-to-government relationship with the United
States. The Crow Tribe signed treaties in the 1825, 1851, and1868
with the United States which are the legal documents defining our
relationship with the United States that established our
boundaries and recognized our rights as a sovereign government.
The Crow Reservation was established by the
Treaty of 1851. The Tribal government maintain jurisdiction
within the boundaries of the reservation including all
rights-of-way, waterways, watercourses and streams running
through any part of the reservation and to such others lands as
may hereafter be added to the reservation under the laws of the
United States. The Tribal government operates under a
constitution approved on June 24, 1948 by the Tribal membership.
Under this constitution the tribve has a general council form of
government in which every adult enrolled member is allowed to
vote if he is present during the meeting of the General Council.
One hundred or more adults constitutes a quorum of the general
council. This Council has the authority to represent, act and
speak for the Tribe and its members. General Council meetings are
held on a quarterly basis or more if Tribal business is pressing.
The administration of Tribal government is
conducted by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and the
Vice-Secretary. All Tribal members are the Council Members. The
Tribal Council Chairman is the administrative head of the Tribe
and serves a two year term as do each of the officers, all of
whom are elected at large.
| Tribal/Agency
Headquarters: |
Crow Agency |
| Counties: |
Big Horn and Yellowstone |
| Federal Reservation: |
Yes |
| Tribal membership: |
10,030 |
| Reservation Service
Population: |
6,498 |
| Labor Force: |
Not available |
| Unemployment rates: |
85% |
| Language: |
Crow and English |
| Land
Status: |
Acres |
| Total Area: |
2,266,271 |
| Tribal
Owned: |
533,956 |
| Allotted
Owned: |
1,039,594 |
| Total
Tribal/Allotted Owned: |
1,573,550 |
| Non-Indian
Owned: |
Not available |
LAND:
The Crow Service Unit is located in south
central Montana, and is comprised of Big Horn (part), Carbon,
Treasure, and Yellowstone counties in Montana and Big Horn and
Sheridan counties in Wyoming. The Crow Reservation’s eastern
boundary is adjacent to the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The
reservation is approximately 60 miles wide and 40 miles in
length, encompassing 1,574,394 acres. For FY 1996 the IHS
Official Population for the Crow Service Unit consists of 10,603
Indian people. The FY 1995 "User Population" is 10,254
Indian people. The majority (98 percent) of the Indian people
reside in Big Hom and Yellowstone counties in Montana.
Mountains, residual uplands, and alluvial
bottoms make up the topography of the Crow Reservation. The 3
principle mountain areas are the Wolf Mountains to the east and
the Big Horn and Pryor Mountains to the south. Sloping downward
to the north from the mountains are rolling upland plains. The
plains constitute the bulk of the reservation and vary in
altitude from 3,000 to 4,500 feet. The alluvial bottomiands are
located along the Big Hom River, Little Big Hom River, and Pryor
Creek drainage systems.
The principal communities located on the Crow
Reservation are as follows:
CROW AGENCY -The Crow/Northem Cheyenne
Hospital, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Crow Tribal
Government are located here. Approximately 3,245 Indian
people reside here. A 16-bed hospital is located in Hardin,
Montana, approximately 12 miles from Crow Agency. Two 250+
bed facilities located in Billings, Montana are 65 miles from
Crow Agency. Billings is considered the major medical
referral center for east central Montana and northern
Wyoming.
LODGE GRASS - The Lodge Grass Health Center
is located here and is approximately 22 miles south of Crow
Agency. Approximately 2,125 Indian people reside here.
PRYOR - The Pryor Health Station is located
here and is approximately 69 miles northwest of Crow Agency.
Approximately 1,018 Indian people reside here.
WYOLA - This community is located
approximately 13 miles from Lodge Grass and approximately 35
miles from Crow Agency. Approximately 440 Indian people
reside here.
CLIMATE:
This part of Montana has a moderate climate
considering its latitude. Snow seldom accumulates for extended
periods of time because of the warm Chinook winds which blow from
the mountains in the west. This portion of Montana enjoys
"Indian Summers" which frequently extend into November.
This is a time of warm sunny days and cool evenings. The mean
annual temperature is 45.5oF with a summer high of 110oF
and a winter low of -48oF. The bulk of the reservation
varies from 12 to 18 inches annual precipitation, depending on
the elevation.
ECONOMY:
The basis of the economy and income is the
reservations land which is used directly to support livestock
operations. The Tribe owns vast and varied amounts of renewable
and non-renewable resources on the reservation which include
land, sand and gravel, water and timber, coal, oil and gas. These
resources serve as the basis for revenue for the Tribe largely
under lease agreements.
Over 10,000 tribal members are enrolled and
many live on the 2.5 million acres that make up the Crow Indian
Reservation. This huge reservation, approximately 60 miles wide
and 40 miles long, lies in south central Montana. Members of the
Tribe are employed in various occupations. Ranching and farming,
government services, coal mining, and tourism create jobs for
many of the people.
Lodge Grass, Pryor and Crow Agency have limited
services and shopping, although the staples can be attained
there. A short drive of 15 minutes north of Crow Agency takes one
to the off-reservation town of Hardin where larger shopping needs
can be met. A short distance further, approximately an
hour’s drive from Crow Agency takes you to Billings, the
largest city in Montana. Billings offers much in the areas of
arts, entertainment and shopping.
RECREATION:
The annual Crow Fair, one of the largest
powwows held in the United States, takes place at Crow Agency
every August. There is lively competition dancing, drumming and
singing, as well as food and craft concessions. Crow Agency is
also near the popular tourist site of the Battle of the Big Horn
National Monument. Each year they produce an excellent
re-enactment of the battle.
Yellowtail Dam at Big Horn Canyon provides some
of the finest fishing, water sports and camping in the state of
Montana.
EDUCATION:
Located on the reservation are eight elementary
schools, three high schools and the Little Big Horn Community
College. Also available are public schools in both Billings and
Hardin. Montana State University - Billings, Rocky Mountain
College, MSU College of Technology at Billings, and two technical
colleges as well as two beautician schools are all located in
Billings. The opportunities are endless for those desiring to
further their education.
HOUSING:
The Crow Housing Authority manages housing
units in the district communities and on rural scattered sites
through HUD Low rnt and Mutual Help home ownership housing
programs. Crow Agency is the headquarters of the tribal
government, the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA). Government housing is available there for the
Indian Health Service professional, as well as in Lodge Grass.
For those wishing private housing, both Hardin and Billings offer
homes in quite a wide price range to suit individual needs.
FUTURE:
The Tribe has identified alternative sources of
income that can be defeloped to generate revenue ihn a very short
time, in the following areas: (1) Agriculture (2) Energy
(3)Tourism and Recreation (4) Commercial Institutions.
Agriculture is the most important commercial activity on the
reservation. The amoutn and quality of the land and water
resources would favor increased agricultural production.
In 1996, Tribal environmental staff identified surface
water contamination from an upstream wastewater treatment plant
and septic systems are contaminating surface water used as a
drinking water source and as a water source for sweat lodges
as the major reservation environmental problem which may be
hazardous to the health of reservation residents.
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