Faron Iron points to where Sioux camped at Battle of Little Big Horn.
Faron Iron, Crow, has a vision for Little Bighorn Battlefield land
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent Faron Iron’s Crow name is Good Road; he also has a Sioux name, Big Heart, given by Arvol Looking Horse, Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe and if he had a Cheyenne name it could be Fast Talker, because that’s what he does when discussing the dream he has for 170 acres of land located in the heart of the Little Big Horn Battlefield. Iron envisions that his land could be used by the Northern Cheyenne, Sioux and Arapaho Tribes for a number of purposes: camping, ceremonial grounds, development of an interpretive center and cultural/historical education for tribal youth. “The Cheyenne, Sioux and Arapaho need to tell their story,” he believes. “The Park Service version of the Battle is one thing and the Crows also provide their version of the Battle. But, the other Tribes need to tell their story. As a result of the Battle, these tribes were persecuted and plunged into poverty—even up to today. I call it 'designed” poverty.'" Iron inherited the land, located on “Sharp Shooter” ridge, close to the main Visitors Center at the Battlefield, from his grandfather (actually grand uncle), Ezra Blanketbull, an original allottee. “At first, I only wanted to make some money off it,” he explained, “but I have come to believe that the Creator has a larger purpose for this land than just me.” Iron’s interest in the Cheyenne stems in part because he was married to a Northern Cheyenne (Rennie Whiteman) and together they have four children. Iron was particularly touched when the Northern Cheyenne conducted an honoring ceremony for his son Zachary who served two tours in Iraq. “Because my parents divorced, I was cut off from my own cultural ways as a child,” he shared. Since, Iron has been a serious student of the Battle, the history of the Cheyenne and Sioux. Paving the way for any sort of development has proven challenging. For the past twenty years, Iron has grappled with many problems associated with his vision. The Battlefield Preservation Committee bucks the notion of any development within the area, wanting to protect the “view shed” and a previous Crow Administration concurred. After lengthy legal wrangling, Iron obtained an opinion for the U.S. Solicitor clarifying that he has the right to do what he wants with his personal property. And what he wants to do is help the Tribes that won the Battle. Indeed, he has already gift deeded two 20 acre parcels to Looking Horse, and Northern Cheyenne traditional representatives. So far, that’s all the progress he has made. In spite of meetings with several Tribal leaders, no development has occurred thus far on the pristine property. “Tribal officials come and go,” Iron noted. “Maybe we need to work with the traditional and ceremonial leaders, create an organization etc.” Faron Iron is persistent. “Any dream takes time,” he smiled. “But I would like to see the day when the Northern Cheyenne, Sioux and Arapaho have a place to call their own at the Battlefield.” Iron can be reached at (406) 620-7242. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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