Crow Indian Reservation (Montana)

The Crow Indian Reservation is a federally-recognized reservation, located in south-central Montana, just southeast of Billings, primarily in Big Horn County, with a smaller portion in Yellowstone County..


 * Established -- 7 May 1868
 * Agency (BIA) -- Crow Indian Agency at Crow Agency, Montana
 * Principal tribe -- Mountain and River Crow
 * Population -- 1,843 (2000 census) 1969: Tribal enrollment 4,828.

History
The Crow Indian Reservation includes two famous battlefields -- the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and the Reno-Benteen Battlefield Monument. It is also home to the site of Old Fort C.F. Smith. Chief Plenty Coups State Park is also on the western part of the reservation.

The Crow Reservation was established by a Treaty of May 7, 1868. It was further modified by an agreement made June 12, 1880, and approved by Congress Apr. 11, 1882; an agreement made Aug. 22, 1881, approved by Congress July 10, 1882; Executive orders, Oct. 20, 1875, Mar. 8, 1876, Dec. 7, 1886; an agreement made Dec. 8, 1890, ratified and confirmed in Indian appropriation act approved Mar. 3, 1891; and an agreement made Aug. 27, 1892.

Under act of Feb. 8, 1887, an act of Feb. 28, 1891, and an Executive order of June 8, 1901 (modifying Executive order of Mar. 25, 1901), 447,914.90 acres had been allotted to 2,272 Indians, and 1,822.61 acres reserved for administration, church, and cemetery purposes. The total area of the reservation in 1908 was 1,844,182 acres.

In 1961 the Crow tribe won a monetary judgement against the Federal Government, as compensation for lands sold and ceded in the last century. Each enrolled member received some money.

In 1962 the tribe won a second suite for lands taken for the Yellowtail Dam and Reservoir.

Records
Many of the records of individual Indians living on the Crow Reservation were kept by the Crow Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Others are kept by the Tribal Office.

Land Records: Tribal land 335,951 acres. Allotted land: 1,229,628 acres