Congress apologized to the victims 100 years later in a resolution that expressed “deep regret” but did not provide any reparations to the descendants or declare the remote site a national monument.

What was the Battle of Little Bighorn?

Mr. Trump also referenced “Bighorn,” the Battle of Little Bighorn, which was fought on June 25, 1876, in what is now Montana. At the time, the federal government was forcing tribes to move to reservations. When several tribes did not leave their land, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his troops were dispatched to attack. During the battle, General Custer’s troops were outnumbered by Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in what became known as Custer’s Last Stand.

In the book “The Killing of Crazy Horse,” the reporter Thomas Powers wrote: “The fighting was intense, bloody, at times hand to hand. Men died by knife and club as well as by gunfire.” More than 200 of Custer’s troops died.

Why is Ms. Warren’s ancestry in the news?

Ms. Warren and Mr. Trump have a history of trading barbs, particularly during the 2016 election — but his references to her ethnic heritage, especially his taunts labeling her as “Pocahontas,” have drawn the most attention.

Last year Ms. Warren released the results of a DNA test that she said provided proof of her ancestry. It found that she most likely had one Native American ancestor six to 10 generations ago.

Instead of neutralizing her critics, the test further inflamed criticism that she was trying to equate DNA results with cultural kinship.

In October, a member of the Cherokee Nation condemned Ms. Warren’s analysis in a statement.

But not all Native American leaders were upset about Ms. Warren’s DNA test.