Portraits of three Apsáalooke women, Big Medicine Rock (center) and Pretty Shield (right), watch over three war shields in the “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies on Nov. 28, 2022.
In 2020, when the “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit opened at the Field Museum in Chicago, it was the first major exhibit curated by a Native American scholar and the “largest exhibition pairing historical and contemporary items in the Crow tribe’s history,” according to an article published in the Billings Gazette.
The exhibit was curated by Akbileoosh/Brings the Water, also known as Nina Sanders, an Apsáalooke woman, curator and scholar. In the exhibit, Sanders merges sacred Crow objects with contemporary art, beadwork, music, storytelling, and fashion.
Tobacco plants are on display at the beginning of the “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies on Nov. 28, 2022. Tobacco is a sacred plant to the Apsáalooke people.
This year, the Museum of the Rockies was chosen to be the first museum to host the exhibit outside of the Field Museum.
Ben Pease’s 12-foot-tall sculpture, “Future In Our Eyes,” was created for the “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit which premiered at the Field Museum in Chicago in March 2020. “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” is now on display at the Museum of the Rockies through Dec. 31, 2022.
The “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit will be on display at the Museum of the Rockies until Dec. 31, 2022.
A war shield made by Charles Strong is on display as part of the “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies on Nov. 28, 2022.
The “Itchiilaxxiash/ Shows Herself Mom Doll” was created by Birdie Real Bird after her mom, Lucy Real Bird, passed away. The doll represents the way how women Lucy’s age used to dress and is on display at the Museum of The Rockies until Dec. 31, 2022.
A baakáatich or cradleboard is part of the beaded horse regalia created by Lydia Falls Down on display at the Museum of the Rockies on Nov. 28, 2022. The piece is titled, “Dáanniile/Parade.”
A war shield made by Crazy Pon De Ray is on display as part of the “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies on Nov. 28, 2022.
This “Akdúxxiiikuchke ‘War Party Leader’ suit” by Bethany Yellowtail is part of the “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors” exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies on Nov. 28, 2022.