The foundation has three major goals: the mountain carving, the Indian Museum of North America, and the Indian University (and Medical Training Center) of North America.

Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski wrote the following explanation of why Native American leaders chose Crazy Horse for the mountain carving:

Crazy Horse  

Crazy Horse was born on Rapid Creek in 1842(?). While at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, under a flag of truce, he was stabbed in the back by an American soldier and died September 6, 1877 -- age 35.

Crazy Horse defended his people and their way of life in the only manner he knew.

Only after he saw the Treaty of 1868 broken. This treaty signed by the President of the United States, said, "As long as rivers run and grass grows and trees bear leaves, Paha Sapa -- the Black Hills -- will forever be the sacred lands of the Lakota Indians."

Only after he saw his leader, Conquering Bear, exterminated by treachery.

Only after he saw the failure of the government agents to bring required treaty guarantees, such as meat, clothing, tents and necessities for existence which they were to receive for having given up their lands and gone to live on reservations.

Only after he saw his people's lives and their way of life ravaged and destroyed,

Crazy Horse has never been known to have signed a treaty or touched a pen.

Crazy Horse is to be carved not so much as a lineal likeness, but more as a memorial to the spirit of Crazy Horse -- to his people. With his left hand thrown out pointing in answer to the derisive question asked by a white man, "Where are your lands now?" he replied, "My lands are where my dead lie buried."

May 29, 1949
Korczak Ziolkowski, Sc.

To be carved on the mountain in letters three feet high: