Telling Our Stories with
Our Own Voices
North Dakota Tribes
Once spread across the central plains of the U.S. and Canada, today, our five tribal nations are located on reservations in rural North Dakota. Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians has the smallest and most dense reservation, while the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has the largest, spanning across the North and South Dakota border. Between our five tribal nations, we have seven linguistically and culturally distinct tribal peoples: Dakota/Lakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Anishinabe, Cree, and Métis. Each of these tribes has its own history and lifeways.
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of northeastern South Dakota and southeastern North Dakota lies the home of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. Lush, gently sloping prairies circle the tribal headquarters at Agency Village. Agency Village is home to Sisseton Wahpeton College. The distinctive Song to the Great Spirit building honors the traditions and past of the Dakota people, while also functioning as an academic building. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate own three casinos - the Dakota Sioux Casino and Hotel in Watertown, the Dakota Connection Casino and C-Store in Sisseton, and the Dakota Magic Casino and Golf Resort near Harkinson, N.D. In consideration and respect for the alliance between the Seven Council Fires, the Sisseton and Wahpeton Bands have erected seven torches in front of the Dakota Magic Casino's entry, and each torch is representative of each of the seven bands among the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Buffalo Farm at Enemy Swim is where the tribe maintains a small herd.
Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation
MHA Tourism is dedicated to protect, preserve and educate the world about the living culture, history and environment. Tourism will create economic opportunities that will promote tribal tourism and to sustain the cultural identity for the MHA people. Maximum quality service, being responsible, accountable and respectful and caring while incorporating the traditional values of our elders and ancestors. This will be accomplished through education and training to encourage the understanding of the cultural identity of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. Some highlights of your visit: MHA Tourism Earth Lodge Village,TAT Museum, Crow Flies High Lookout, Killdeer Mountain, 4 Bears Scenic Byway Interpretive signage, Buffalo Ranch, Lake Sakakawea and much more.
Spirit Lake Nation
The Tourism Department pursues and develops tourism activities on the Spirit Lake Nation. We strive to announce tribal events along with federal and state events, that would be of interest to visitors, and give information and directions to these activities. Please look for our Tourism/Tribal Brochure in most State Rest Areas Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce and at the Spirit Lake Casino, we are also developing our own Visitors Center. Don’t forget to visit Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, and the Fort Totten State Historic Site.
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Reservation is the most diverse and unique tribe of North Dakota, offering multi culture, history, and scenic recreation. The transition from woodlands to plains people vastly influenced the culture of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa: food, transportation, clothing, and housing were all adapted to meet the needs of the people and the tribe. In addition, the blending of other cultures greatly impacted their language and life ways from social structure and language, to customs and dance. The reservation is home to the Sky Dancer Casino & Resort and annual attractions such as Chippewa Downs Live Horse Racing, Little Shell Pow -wow, Sky Chief Park (Gordon Lake) and our TM Heritage Center.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Welcome to our Nation. We greet you with a hearty handshake and welcome you to our beautiful lands. The Standing Rock Reservation consists of 2.3 million acres across both North Dakota and South Dakota, enveloped in rolling hills and natural prairie. The reservation is also located along major waterways which include the breathtaking Missouri River, Grand River, Cannon Ball River, Cedar Creek and Lake Oahe. We recommend that your first stop is at the Sitting Bull Visitor Center in Fort Yates, North Dakota where you can learn more about our history and pick up useful information and materials. We invite you to share a part of our unique world and rich history which includes great leaders such as Sitting Bull, Gall, Two Bears and many others. Let us share our stories of Lewis and Clark travelling our rivers, the death of Sakakawea at Fort Manuel Lisa, the victory of Little Big Horn, Major James McLaughlin and the death of Sitting Bull, the reservation days and who we are today.
