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THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2003

After 127 years of waiting, the memorial to the Indian warriors who fought at the June 25, 1876, Battle of Little Bighorn was dedicated on Wednesday.

Funding for the $2.3 million memorial was provided in 2001, more than a decade after first being authorized. With turnout reported around 4,000, speakers at the ceremony, including spiritual elders, tribal leaders and government officials, said it was long overdue.

But the day's best speech, according to The Billings Gazette, was an unscheduled one. American Indian Movement activist Russell Means said American Indians have always put America first.

"You have to put American first. That's when we develop a culture together," he was quoted as saying. His remarks reportedly drew cheers and applause.

The memorial represents the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho forces who defeated the 7th Cavalry under Lt. Col. George Custer, and the Crow and Arikara scouts who had worked for Custer.

Get the Story:
Thousands see dedication of Indian Memorial at Little Bighorn (The Billings Gazette 6/26)
Activist Means steals the show at dedication (The Billings Gazette 6/26)
Balance at Little Bighorn (The Denver Post 6/26)
'Honor to all the fallen warriors' (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 6/26)
Healing Wounds: Thousands gather to honor Indian warriors (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/26)
American Indians dedicate memorial (The Rapid City Journal 6/26)
Design reviews mixed (The Rapid City Journal 6/26)
Memorials at Little Bighorn Battlefield (The Billings Gazette 6/26)
Victory Cries at Little BighornInclude a Few Tears for Custer (The Wall Street Journal 6/25)
Radio show relives Battle of Little Bighorn (The Rapid City Journal 6/26)
Custer site honors Indians (AP 6/26)

Relevant Links:
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument - http://www.nps.gov/libi

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