Nor did he discard Crow practices because he had become an American soldier.

He combined them.

The same was true of the war paint he wore beneath his uniform.

The paint was not visible to most people around him.

It was not performance for photographers.

Its importance did not depend on an audience.

That private quality matters.

For much of American history, Native cultural expression had been controlled, banned, commercialized, mocked, or transformed into entertainment for non-Native audiences.

Medicine Crow’s use of traditional preparation in battle did not seek outside approval.

It belonged to his relationship with his people and his own understanding of danger.