Indian Village

On June 25, 1876, approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, Dakota, and Arapaho, including between 1,500 and 2,000 warriors were encamped below the Little Bighorn River, one of the largest encampments ever seen of Plains Indians. By the end of the second day of the battle, June 26, these Plains warriors had won a great victory, but it was a hollow one. Within five years, all of the survivors from the battle were on reservations, never again to experience an encampment such as the one at the Little Bighorn River in the summer of 1876.

Learn more about the various Lakota, Cheyenne, Dakota, and Arapaho bands by following the links below.

Indian Village

• Hunkpapa and Sihasapa
• Miniconjou and Itazipco
• Oglala
• Other Lakota
• Dakota
• Cheyenne
• Arapaho

Other Native Participants

• Rain-in-the-Face
• Crazy Horse
• Lame White Man
• Gall
• White Bull
• Wooden Leg
• He Dog

 

Tatanka-iyotanka
(Sitting Bull)

NPS photo

Sitting Bull

A respected elder at the time of the battle, Sitting Bull was a brave and daring warrior in his youth. He became known as an eloquent spokesman and statesman, as well as a powerful spiritual leader.