The Crow Tribe is located in south central Montana and is part of the Apsáalooke Nation. There are over 11 000 members of the tribe, making it the largest of seven Indian reservations, surrounded by three major mountain ranges: Big Horn Mountains, Big Wolf Mountains and Pryor Mountains. As well as this, their land is fertile which allows them to live off the land. Their idyllic description of their locations advertises their reservation as the place to live as it has over three million acres.
The Crow Tribe act as their own individual nation with their own constitution and by-laws, and they act as a democracy, as shown by the vote of a proposed constitution of 670-449. They appear to follow the same legal system of the US government, as seen in the top right hand corner; “executive, legislative and judicial”. Their laws include articles such as “membership criteria” which demands a blood quantum of a quarter Crow blood to become a member and prohibits dual membership with other tribes. This also shows the Crows to be exclusive as outsiders are not allowed to become citizens of the tribe, but at the same time it shows that they want their culture and traditions to live on for future generations and a way of ensuring it is to limit the people allowed into the tribe.
Although they are exclusive in who can join the tribe, there is a section titled “Learn to speak Crow” which shows that they still want to share some of their culture with outsiders and each other people. Another way in which they share their culture with people from outside of the tribe is their explanation of the flag, which educates and informs everyone about how their flag came to be and what it represents. This also shows they are proud of themselves and want to share it with not only their own people, but with people from around the world; especially as their flag features two feathered headdresses and a smoking pipe, both of which are synonymous to the Indian American culture.
The Crow reservations “undisturbed character and dramatic features” provide recreational activities such as “hunting, fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, hiking and backpacking”, and particularly amongst the younger members of the tribe, these activities would help to keep them in tune with their heritage of being outdoors, as well as hopefully reducing juvenile behaviour by keeping them busy. These activities also help to instil a sense of hard work and prevent them from turning to alcohol and drugs like how the stereotypical Indian Americans are portrayed. As well as this, because these activities are primarily group based ones, it promotes a sense of community and working together, as well as family.
As most of their population are under the age of eighteen, it is unsurprising that the Crow Tribe endorse education. Their community college has over 300 full time students and employs over 50 staff members showing how the tribe is very community based and use people from their reservation. The Crow Tribe also work to ensure that most members are in employment, and through federal programs and the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) up to 3 000 members of the tribe are in some form of employment. However, this still shows that a vast number of the Crow Tribe are unemployed and does mirror the statistic of unemployment amongst Indian Americans as a whole. It also shows that unlike some tribes, such as the Pequot’s, who are self-sufficient, the Crow’s rely on the government.
Interestingly, their website does not mention anything negative, which is to be expected. However while only highlight the positive community and educational aspects of the tribe, the website fails to mention the tribes past $2.1 million budget deficit and the cutting back to the tribes workforce to 32 hours a week.
Overall, the Crow Tribe website promotes the positives of the tribe, such as group activities, education, the workforce, and is proud of itself.
NB. The Crow Tribe are divided into three separate groups who only come together for common defence. These are: Ashalaho (Mountain Crow), Binnéessiippeele (River Crow), and Eelalapito (Mountain Crow).
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