Fort Phil Kearny, the historic military outpost in Sheridan County, Wyoming, hosted a special cultural program on October 17 that highlighted the ancient language of the Crow people. Site Superintendent Shari Shada introduced the speaker, Ron Garritson, noting his 11 years as a park ranger at the nearby Pompeii Pillar site and his experience teaching at Montana State University.
Garritson’s personal connection to the Crow
Born and raised in Billings, Montana, Garritson grew up surrounded by Crow culture. He was adopted into two Crow families – the Adopens family and the lineage of Alan Hogan Snell, a granddaughter of the renowned Crow figure Pretty Shield. “My uncle was Crow,” he explained, “so I was around the culture all my life.” While he is not fluent in the spoken Crow language, he learned the traditional Indian Sign Language, a visual system used for centuries among Plains tribes.
Learning from elders
Garritson recalled his teenage years spent on the reservation, where he would encounter elders born in the 1800s who communicated through sign‑talk. “They were sitting there in long braids, conversing and sign‑talking. It was poetry, emotion, it was beautiful,” he said. Those encounters sparked his lifelong interest in preserving the practice.
Interactive program for visitors
During the Fort Phil Kearny event, Garritson led an interactive demonstration, teaching participants basic signs and explaining how the system allowed communication across language barriers on the Plains. Attendees, many of whom were local families and history enthusiasts, practiced the signs and asked questions about the cultural context.
The program underscored the importance of honoring the traditions of the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the region. By sharing this knowledge, the National Park Service continues its mission to educate the public while respecting the heritage of the Crow and other tribes.
Community response
Local residents expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn directly from someone with deep personal ties to the culture. “It’s wonderful to see our children and grandparents connecting with the history of this land,” said a longtime Sheridan County volunteer. The event also aligned with broader efforts by regional museums and cultural groups to preserve and celebrate Native American arts and languages.
Garritson’s presentation at Fort Phil Kearny serves as a reminder that cultural preservation is a shared responsibility, one that benefits both Indigenous communities and the broader public who call Wyoming home.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
