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With around 30,000 Native American residents and five tribal nations, North Dakota is rich in Indigenous culture. Throughout the year, especially in late summer and early fall, the state hosts numerous events that welcome all to experience Native American traditions.

Little Shell Powwow

Held from August 9-11 in New Town, the Little Shell Powwow is North Dakota’s second-largest, featuring dance specials for all age groups. Credit: North Dakota Tourism/Brian Heskin

Authentic Cultural Experiences

North Dakota offers a variety of Native American cultural experiences, including powwows, museums, cultural centers, and tribal lands. Powwows, most held from late June to early September, and the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Tourism Indian Horse Relay are highlights.

Attend a Powwow

Powwows are multi-day festivals with song and dance performances, traditional foods, and arts and crafts vendors. Upcoming powwows in North Dakota include:

• July 4-6: Turtle Mountain Chief Little Shell, Dunseith – Celebrates Native American culture and heritage.
• July 12-14: Arikara Celebration, White Shield – Celebrates the historical union between the Arikara and Pawnee tribes.
• July 19-21: Mandaree Celebration Powwow, Mandaree – Features song and drum competitions, dance specials, and vendors.
• July 26-28: Fort Totten Days Celebration, Fort Totten – Includes a 5K fun run, moccasin games, and a singing contest.
• August 8: Battle of the Great Plains — Chicken Dance, New Town – Highlights the intricate chicken dance by the MHA Nation.
• August 9-11: Little Shell Celebration/Antelope Society, New Town – Offers dance specials and evening finals under the lights.
• August 30-Sept. 1: Turtle Mountain Labor Day Powwow, Belcourt – Combines competition and tradition.
• September 6-8: United Tribes International Powwow, Bismarck – One of the largest celebrations of Native American culture in the nation.

Indian Horse Relay

Returning for its third year, the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Tourism Indian Horse Relay takes place on July 23, 2024, at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. This thrilling race features Native American athletes showcasing their skills and coordination in a dramatic, multi-lap event. The relay includes intermission performances that enrich the atmosphere with Native American cultural heritage.

Historic Sites and Museums

North Dakota’s five tribal nations have deep roots in the state, celebrated at various sites:

• Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center: Preserves the culture of the Chippewa, Cree, and Métis.
• Spirit Lake Nation: Near Fort Totten, with the Fort Totten State Historic Site offering a look into tribal history.
• North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum, Bismarck: Home to a vast collection of Plains Indian artifacts and the Native American Hall of Honors.
• Double Ditch Indian Village, Bismarck: Features visible depressions and interpretive signs about Mandan Indian history.
• Chief Looking’s Village, Huff Indian Village State Historic Site, and Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site: Offer authentic insights into Plains Indian life.
• Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park: Features On‐A‐Slant Indian Village with rebuilt lodges.
• Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway: Traces the Lewis and Clark route along the Missouri River, with historical sites along the way.

Explore these and more to immerse yourself in North Dakota’s rich Native American culture.