"The Crow Nation loaded up their parade horses on Wednesday and headed back to Montana, completing a nearly 4,000-mile round-trip journey that allowed them to see one of their relatives become president of the United States.

“The whole nation is looking for change from the presidency,” Cedric Black Eagle said late Tuesday night. “Today was significant as we were riding up Pennsylvania Avenue and passing the president's viewing box. The people reacted on the street. That felt good. I think people were happy to see us in Indian regalia and on horses.”

In honor of their new relative, 24 men and 18 women from the Crow Nation traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to march in the inaugural parade for President Barack Obama. They wore their best beaded clothes. And their horses shined, too.

“We come from a horse culture,” said Black Eagle. “The way we put that out, it's not show. It's who we are.”

On Tuesday, the Crow, in all their beaded splendor, were on their way to the parade by 4:30 a.m. - to begin preparing for the late-afternoon ride down Pennsylvania Avenue. The Crow riders and women who rode a float said it was a day they will never forget."

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Crow head back home after parade (The Missoulian 1/22)

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