Having added amenities such as water and trampoline parks and improvements to rodeo and horse racing facilities to its tourism offerings, the tribe is moving to the next stage of a tourism initiative that includes the roundhouse west of Belcourt, a Rolette County Veterans Memorial Park in Dunseith and a 170-foot diameter powwow arbor, also in Dunseith.

Les Thomas, the tribe’s tourism consultant and president of North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, said it is a historic time for the tribe as it makes major tourism investments designed to capture a share of North Dakota’s third largest industry.

Ground was broken for the roundhouse last August, with completion expected this fall. The North Dakota Department of Commerce awarded a $1.5 million Destination Development grant and the tribe added money from its federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to advance the three key projects in the tribe’s and Rolette County’s comprehensive plan. Additional funds came from North Dakota Parks & Recreation, Shakopee Mdewankaton Sioux Tribe Mikinok (Blue Chip Financial), Sky Dancer Casino Resort and Grand Treasure Casino.

“It takes teamwork and communication to plan and find financial resources and complete the planned projects,” Thomas said.

Submitted Photo A community roundhouse is under construction near Belcourt on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. The Pembina Traditional Roundhouse is part of a Destination Tourism initiative.

He credited Tribal Councilman Lynn Gourneau for spearheading the roundhouse project and Councilman Chad Counts and veteran Roger Counts for spearheading the veterans park, all with the support of the tribal council and chairman. In addition, he said, tribal staff, contractors, planners, grant writers, community members and others have taken roles in advancing initiatives to turn the region into what he describes as a “family friendly, year-round point of destination.”

The roundhouse will be a drug- and alcohol-free building available for a variety of community events, from cultural education to funerals, Thomas said. With ADA-accessible restrooms and a full kitchen, the roundhouse will lend itself to hosting events, he said.

Construction of the veterans memorial park is expected to both commence and finish this year. In addition to honoring service members and paying homage to their cultural heritage, having dedicated space for reflection, commemoration and community engagement will enhance the well-being of veterans and their families, foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the fabric of the community, according to a description of the project. The park will include walking trails and therapeutic gardening.

An existing, nearby park in Dunseith will be updated with new basketball courts and restrooms.

Thomas said supply chain issues could slow the powwow arbor project, but the goal is to complete all the project by the summer of 2026, ahead of a planned international Indigenous peace conference and celebration highlighting the Indigenous peoples of Manitoba and North Dakota.

The arbor will be constructed in the Chief Little Shell Heritage Park ground in Dunseith, which is on the Peace Garden highway, a tourism scenic byway.

The state-of-the-art arbor will have concrete flooring under bleachers, an extended metal roof for protection against weather conditions and special seating for people with disabilities, elders and veterans. The project includes a separate multi-purpose, roof-covered pavilion to serve as a gathering place or to host events such as flea markets and farmers markets. Plans include electrical hookups for a recreational vehicle park and vendors, according to tribal information on the arbor project.

Tear down of the existing powwow facility is to occur this spring, with lumber from the existing arbor used for picnic shelters throughout the culture park.

National anniversary

creates opportunity

to celebrate local history

By JILL SCHRAMM

Associate Editor

jschramm@minotdailynews.com

An international indigenous peace conference at the International Peace Garden is being planned to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 2026.

The signing of the declaration occurred on July 4, 1776.

Les Thomas, president of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, said organizers are aiming to hold activities associated with the peace conference on July 10, 2026, at Sky Dancer Casino in Belcourt, followed by the main event July 11 at the Peace Garden. He said they hope to get the conference on the events calendar of the national America 250 organization.

A state America 250 committee also has been formed, with the scope of its work to be determined based on the level of funding granted by the 2025 Legislature. The committee includes representatives of the State Historical Society, Veterans Affairs, Department of Public Instruction, Indian Affairs Commission, State Library, Council on the Arts, N.D. Tourism, Daughters of the American Revolution, Humanities Council, Parks & Recreation, Governor’s Office and offices of the state’s congressional delegation.

Kara Haff, public information officer with the State Historical Society, said the America 250 committee can serve as a clearinghouse for events being held around the state or possibly could assist organizations looking to host celebrations. The establishment of a web page is expected to be a first step.

The opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, scheduled for July 4, 2026, is among celebrations that could include a tie to the national anniversary.

Haff said the historical society is looking at creating a new North Dakota 250 exhibit in the Governor’s Gallery in the Heritage Center that examines the past 250 years of the state’s history.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa is partnering with the International Peace Garden to spearhead the conference at the garden in 2026. Other partners include North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance and other U.S. and Canadian tribes.

“America 250 – it’s a platform to be able to tell your real true stories and history to the world,” Thomas said.

Flags have been raised at the Peace Garden for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Standing Rock Sioux, and two more flags of North Dakota tribes will be added this year. A final tribal flag will be raised in 2026, bringing full representation to the five tribal nations with a presence in North Dakota, Thomas said. A flag also will be raised for First Nations in Manitoba.

Thomas said the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa also is working on a documentary of the tribe, to release in 2026.

Upcoming Events:

– North Dakota Travel Industry Conference, April 28-30, State Fair Center, Minot

– International Roundup, (Dakotas, Idaho, Wyoming tourism) May 6-9, Rapid City, South Dakota

– G2G (Government to Government) Conference, Indian Affairs Commission, June 4-5, Bismarck