Full Breakdown
Buffalo's Fire Launches Digital Memorial Wall for 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Greasy Grass
6/12/2026, 11:58:42 PM
The Memorial Wall Initiative – Core Facts
Buffalo’s Fire, a news outlet, and Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield are unveiling a Memorial Wall on June 11. The platform invites descendants of those who fought at Battle of Greasy Grass to post names, creating a tribute for 150th anniversary. Launch aligns with a gathering of thousands Native people near battlefield later in June.
Historical Context – The Battle of the Greasy Grass
The Battle of the Greasy Grass, fought on June 25, 1876 on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, is known as Custer’s Last Stand or Battle of the Little Bighorn. Lakota warriors from the Minnconjou and Itazipcho bands, allied with Chief Sitting Bull, fought in the battle.
Key Figures & Groups
Family historian Mary Lee Johns preserves photographs and oral accounts of Lakota ancestors. Her great-great-grandfather Bear With Horns died at Greasy Grass, and her great-grandmother Grows in Day—later Lucy Poor Buffalo—was seven when she visited the battlefield. Other noted warriors include Red Bird and Clown, son of Fights the Thunder and brother-in-law of Crazy Horse. Buffalo’s Fire and Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield coordinate the memorial effort.
Data & Statistics
The project marks the 150th anniversary of the 1876 battle and anticipates thousands of Native participants gathering near the site.
Official Statements & Responses
Buffalo’s Fire stated that its daily reporting seeks to keep Lakota voices alive and that the Memorial Wall is designed to be free and accessible for families honoring ancestors. Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield noted that it compiled a list of warriors to populate the wall, emphasizing collaborative stewardship of the battlefield’s heritage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On Memorial Day, my aunt, my family, and I went to the Green Grass Cemetery at Cheyenne River to clean the graves and lay colorful flowers on the burial sites.” — Author, Native journalist
- “We’ve created this section and will launch it June 11 in tribute to our relatives.” — Buffalo’s Fire reporting team
- “We are making the Memorial Wall free and accessible to create a dedicated digital memorial site on the 150th anniversary of this significant event, not only in Native American history but also in Indigenous global history.” — Buffalo’s Fire spokesperson
- “Red Bird fought at the Battle of Greasy Grass on June 25, 1876.” — Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield list
Why It Matters – Indigenous Memory and Global History
The digital wall preserves Lakota oral histories and creates a public record of Indigenous experiences, addressing gaps in mainstream narratives. By presenting the battle as part of Indigenous global history, the project invites scholarly and public engagement with Native perspectives on a 19th-century conflict.
What's Next
Following the June 11 launch, families will continue adding names and photographs to the wall. Organizers plan to host events during the end-of-June gathering, allowing scholars and descendants to interact with the evolving digital archive.
