Photo from MHA Tourism (Kiera Fox)

NEW TOWN – The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes, welcomes visitors to the Fort Berthold Reservation to learn about its history and culture, visit sites and take part in activities on the Fort Berthold Reservation.

The reservation, consisting of nearly 1 million acres, in parts of Ward, McLean, Mountrail, Dunn, McKenzie and Mercer counties, straddles the north and south shores of Lake Sakakawea.

The MHA Interpretive Center, a world-class museum located west of New Town, tells the story of the MHA Nation through permanent exhibits, living history programs and special events. Guided tours are available by advance booking. Visitors can stay the night in an earth lodge, take a trail ride and hear stories of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara peoples from cultural interpreters. The building includes a 250-seat event room and there’s an outdoor amphitheater with seating for 500 people.

Other area attractions include the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge and its River Willow Gaming Riverboat, Three Affiliated Tribes Museum, Crow Flies High Butte, Four Bears Bridge, all west of New Town; and Arikara Culture Center in White Shield. Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway has lookouts and stops with historical markers. Reunion Bay near New Town is the site where Lewis and Clark reunited after exploring separate routes during their historic journey in 1806.

The Three Affiliated Tribes National Park, a new park, is located along N.D. Highway 22, 40 miles southwest of New Town or 20 miles north of Killdeer.

The communities on the reservation include Twin Buttes, White Shield, Mandaree, Parshall, New Town and Four Bears.

A variety of outdoor experiences are available to visitors, including boating, fishing, hunting, golfing, horseback riding, hiking, biking and bird watching.

Indian horse relays are held on the reservation and also are a highlight at the North Dakota State Fair in July in Minot, where they are presented by MHA Nation Tourism.

MHA Tourism does cultural performances, by request, and also outside of the reservation for non-Natives to learn more about Native American culture in North Dakota.

– Sources: MHA Nation, MHA Tourism and MHA Interpretive Center

Annual powwows on Fort Berthold

– Little Shell Celebration, west of New Town, in North Segment (August)

– Santee Lucky Mound Celebration, Parshall in Northeast Segment (June)

– Mandaree Celebration, Mandaree in West Segment (July)

– Arikara Celebration and Powwow, White Shield in East Segment (July)

– Twin Buttes Powwow, Twin Buttes in South Segment (June)

– Four Bears Powwow at 4 Bears Casino Event Center, west of New Town (May)