Crow

The Crow were closely tied to the Hidatsa and the Corps first learned of them while staying with the related Mandan in North Dakota. The Crow and Hidatsa spoke a common language known as Absarokee.

The Crow settled in the areas around the Tongue, Powder, Bighorn, and Yellowstone rivers. They were one of the first Montana tribes to make contact with Europeans. Clark lost nearly half his horses to a stealthy Crow raiding party.

As with so many other tribes, smallpox reduced the tribe's numbers. The near extinction of the bison put enormous pressure on the tribe and its culture.

Today

Crow culture remains strong and vital in spite of outside pressures. Over 9,000 members live on the reservation, which encompasses over 2 million acres. Two major historical resources exist on the Crow Reservation; the Little Bighorn National Battlefield and the Chief Plenty Coups Memorial State Monument.

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