Custer's last stand, orientation rap, and showers!

Headed out to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument this AM while we awaited the last two team members to arrive.  Those of you who know me, realize that history, especially about wars, is not really my thing.  But this National Monument is a hidden gem.  On a quiet hillside rests the story of Custer's last battle and the courage and ferocity of the Native Americans who fought that day.  A wonderful film, followed by a ranger re-enactment of the battle, with a walk through the granite and concrete memorials, made the history come alive and served as a great cultural and historical context to set the tone for the week to come.  A quick stop at the Trading Post rounded off the morning.

The last team members arrived, and orientation started in earnest.  After getting through the usual policies, mission, and team goals I set the young adults off to work on a rap or song to teach the rest of us about Chief Plenty Coups, and the adults to use a skit or poem to teach us about Crow Agency and the Crow Nation.  You guessed it:  the young adults were enthusiastic and creative; the adults more reticent and reluctant.  See attached for the terrific young adult product.

Orientation ended in time for much needed showers, food shopping, and a stop at the Dollar Store, before returning for a  spaghetti and garlic bread dinner.  All is quiet now, everyone getting settled for some rest before the start of our big project tomorrow.  We will be travelling to Pryor(about 70 miles away) to stain and restore Chief Plenty Coups'

historic home.

Be well ,
Barbara