An Evening of Crow Culture at Fort Phil Kearny

Talking to others about their culture is one of the goals of the American Indian Interpretive Ranger Program at Medicine Wheel and Fort Phil Kearny.

On Thursday, July 16, sisters Elannah and Emaurice, enrolled members of the Crow tribe, presented a display of traditional Crow regalia, and performed two dances to traditional music.

Dave McKee, president of Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association said that this is the fourth year of the American Indian Interpretive Ranger program, where Indian students work at the Medicine Wheel and present programs on American Indian Culture Fort Phil Kearny.

McKee introduced the sisters before their program, saying this about Emaurice

He added about Elannah,

Emaurice then welcomed the crowd in her native language and in English.

Elannah then said a few words about the traditional Crow regalia.

They were both dressed in traditional buckskin dresses with bead work and decorations that are a part of their culture. As a part of the dance, they had feather fans, one was of turkey feathers. Elannah talked about some of the regalia for the dance.

Elannah carried a fan made of colorful macaw feathers. There was even a macaw feather in the turkey feather fan to add color. Elannah added that the Crow people never use black beads, as black is a negative color.

Emaurice also described the elk tooth dresses that the Crow girls and women wore,

Elannah talked about one dance that the Crow people perform.

The sisters then preformed two dances to traditional music.

They also talked about Crow Fair, where they dance as well, and the fair will be held this year August 12 to August 17 at Crow Agency, Montana. There are parades every morning and dancing under the dance arbor during the afternoon. All are welcome to attend.

The American Indian Interpretive Ranger Program is continuing through the recently founded Medicine Wheel Preservation Group (MWPG), a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to further public education, interpretation, and preservation of the Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark on the Bighorn National Forest and associated archaeological and American Indian cultural sites.

A key component of the MWPG is to continue to provide employment and career development opportunities for American Indian college students while providing American Indian voices and perspectives at the MW-NHL. The Bighorn National Forest and consulting parties voiced support for the program at the August 2025 Medicine Wheel consultation meeting.

Dave McKee is President of the MWPG, along with fellow board members JoAnne Puckett, Katie Curtiss, and Bill Yellowtail.