The Heart of Apsáalooke Culture and Tradition

Every August, thousands gather in Crow Agency, Montana to celebrate Crowfair, a vibrant festival where the Apsáalooke people honor their ancestors, share traditions, and welcome visitors to experience their culture. 

It was started in 1904 by Samuel G. Reynolds and Mr. A. Buchanan in the hope of making the Apsáalooke people self-sufficient through farming. During World War I it was forced to shut down and it wasn’t until after World War II that Crowfair came back, but this time it had a new focus. 

When Crowfair came back, its main focus was to help the Apsáalooke people reconnect with their ancestors and their tradition. This is very important now but also in the past when native people were still being sent to boarding schools. That is why so many people go to Crowfair to set up teepees and reconnect. 

Crowfair is such a big celebration that people from all over the United States attend. There have been so many people that set up their teepees that Crowfair has been nicknamed “Teepee Capital of the World.” This year alone there were around a thousand teepees set up, and that number will continue to grow as Crowfair becomes more popular. 

Ben TakesHorse, an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke tribe, has been going to Crowfair for 42 years. He said, “There are so many different traditional values that are being passed down within that week.” Some of these traditions include dancing in the powwow, sun dancing, sharing old legends, celebrating the Apsáalooke’s new year, smoking the pipe, drumming, and more. Throughout his years, TakesHorse has participated in Crowfair in many different ways. He took part in the Indian Relays as both a rider, catcher, and holder as well as riding in the parade. 

To new people, Crowfair is seen as a way to meet many different people and to experience the different cultures represented. For example, Jena Stump went to her first Crowfair this year and said, “It’s like a pretty big powwow. I’ve never been to a powwow that big. It just kinda helps you meet new people. I met a lot of new people there this year.” 

With the growth of the Crowfair, there are many different views on tourists attending. TakesHorse said, “For the majority, we appreciate all the tourists that come in, because all that money that they bring in goes to our local food banks. It goes to some of the projects that are helping to fund the irrigation systems and do good community work.” Some say that tourists are ruining the experience of Crowfair and are over-populating the area which already isn’t all that big. Additionally, some tourists are also very rude and go to Crowfair just to make fun of the traditions. But, as long as you are respectful to the Apsáalooke tribal people’s traditions, they will welcome you with open arms.