Powwows
Powwows are an important aspect of Native American culture. Throughout history, powwows were held, normally in the spring, to celebrate the beginning of new life. These events brought tribes together for singing and dancing and allowed them to rekindle old friendships, as well as to make new ones. Many powwows also held religious significance for some tribes. Today, powwows are still a part of the Native American culture, and North Dakota tribes are no exception. The United Tribes International Powwow is held each September in Bismarck and is one of the largest powwows in the United States.

A powwow consists of parades and dancers in costume, with various dancing styles used. The traditional male dancers wear costumes decorated with beads, quills and eagle feathers; male grass dancers wear colorful fringe costumes; and male fancy dancers wear brightly colored feathers. Female dancers dance much more subtly than the male dancers. Fancy female dancers wear cloth, beaded moccasins and jewelry, while the jingle dress dancer wears a dress made of jingling metal. Toward the end of the powwow, there is normally an intertribal dance, where everyone (even spectators) takes part in the native dancing.

For more information on powwows held in North Dakota, you may call (701) 255-3285.

Historic Sites and Indian Villages
Throughout North Dakota, you will find several historic sites and Native American villages. A few popular sites are:

Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site
The Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site is located north of Stanton, North Dakota on County Road 37. At this site, you can explore the lives of the Northern Plains Indians who lived on the Upper Missouri River. There is a reconstructed earth lodge here that will give you a glimpse into what life during their time may have been like. You can see samples of their daily and ceremonial clothing, tools and other supplies and hear stories of their culture.

Hours of Operation
Open year-round
September to May – 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
May to September – 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Contact Information
Phone: (701) 745-3300

On-A-Slant Indian Village
The On-A-Slant Indian Village, located 7 miles south of Mandan inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, is a 400-year old village that was home to a Mandan Indian tribe for 200 years. Believed to be about 400 years old, this village consists of five earth lodges. The admission cost to this site is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, plus a State Park entrance fee of $5.00 per vehicle.

Hours of Operation
Open year-round
Daily hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with reduced hours in the spring and fall

Contact Information
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Interpretive Division
4480 Fort Lincoln Road
Mandan, ND 58554
E-Mail: info@fortlincoln.com
Phone: (701) 667-6380

Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site
The Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site is located 7 miles north of Bismarck on Highway 1804. The ruins of a large Mandan Indian earth lodge village is located at this site. The village is said to have been active for almost 300 years, until 1781. At this site, you will find eight interactive signs, as well as the remains of earth lodges and other ancient village remains.

Huff Indian Village Historic Landmark
The Huff Indian Village is located 1/2 mile south of Huff and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This site is home to a historic Mandan Indian village that is estimated to have been occupied by the tribe in 1450. You will enjoy the self-guided walk with signs along the way telling you of the site’s history.

Molander Indian Village Historic Site
The Molander Indian Village Historic Site is home to a large Hidatsa earth lodge village, which dates back to the 1700s. Located three miles north of Price, this village was protected by a fortification ditch.

Contact Information for Double Ditch, Huff and Molander Villages
The State Historical Society of North Dakota
612 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0830
Phone: (701) 328-2666
Fax: (701) 328-3710