Little Bighorn Battle Altered U.S. Policy Toward Native Americans

Why it matters locally: The shifts in federal policy toward Native Americans following the Battle of Little Bighorn had enduring consequences that continue to affect tribal nations and Indigenous communities across Washington state, impacting land rights, resource management, and self-governance.

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The Battle of the Little Bighorn, a notable event in U.S. history, took place 150 years ago. Native American forces achieved a victory in the conflict. The battle, however, preceded changes in the U.S. government's policy toward Indigenous populations. Judy Woodruff explored the battle's historical significance within her series, "Crossroads: America at 250." Her report examined how the events at Little Bighorn influenced subsequent government actions regarding Native American communities.