Black Hills , South Dakota

   This sculpture is actually in Montana at the location of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. In 1876 Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming were still territories and the Lakota and Cheyenne Indian tribes roamed throughout the Black Hills and the prairies. Conflicts with miners and settlers (who ignored previous treaties) during the 1800s eventually led  to this battle. Twenty one companies of soldiers ,including the men in Custer’s command ,were planning to surround the Indians camped on the plains by the Little Big Horn River. The Indians would then be forced back onto the reservations in western South Dakota. At least that was the plan! But Custer and his men were all killed and the Indians fled towards Canada. While most were captured ,Sitting Bull and about 200 of his people made it to Canada. In 1881 , due to lack of food and supplies , they returned to the US , surrendered and were placed on reservations.

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