1880 Crow Peace Delegation

The 1880 Crow Peace Delegation is a series of annotated reproductions of portraits of Apsáalooke (Crow) chiefs created by artist Wendy Red Star. Red Star's annotations offer context on the attire, poses, and historical events depicted, infusing the work with insight and humor while challenging established historical narratives.1

The Crow people, historically affiliated with the Hidatsa, traditionally occupied lands along the Yellowstone River in present-day Montana. Their culture was deeply intertwined with the buffalo and horses, which provided sustenance, clothing, transportation, and a basis for trade and entertainment. Traditional Crow society was organized into bands, and social roles, including those of chiefs, were defined by specific achievements, particularly in warfare and raiding. Religious life involved vision quests, and the Crow cultivated tobacco for ritual purposes. Facing pressure from other tribes and the expanding American frontier, the Crow allied with the U.S. military and eventually accepted a reservation in southern Montana.2