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Western Experience
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| North Dakota Tourism/Jason Lindsey |
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North Dakota is often known as the
place to visit for a "Real American" experience. In fact, it's
why North Dakota is frequently ranked in the Top Five for U.S.
destinations by international guests.
Here you can enjoy the history of great American legends like Lewis
& Clark, Sakakawea, Theodore Roosevelt, Custer and Sitting
Bull. Spend the day in the saddle, or gather 'round the campfire
at a powwow or modern western ranch.
Hat, boots and belt buckle aren't required.
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Medora
An authentic old west town with modern shopping and rootin’ tootin’ entertainment, Medora began as the dream of a French aristocrat and has captured the imagination of big dreamers like Teddy Roosevelt ever since. Click here to plan your adventure in Medora.
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Ranch Vacations
North Dakota offers a variety of ranch vacation to take you back to a simpler way of life. Want to get away from it all and experience life on a real working ranch? If so, try these:
Eagle Ridge Lodge 7 miles southwest of Medora. Phone 701-623-2216.
Amazing view of the Badlands from the hilltop lodge. Packages include overnight stays, two-day getaways and a five-day stay with overnight campout.
Logging Camp Ranch Northwest of Amidon. Phone 701-279-5501. The ranch takes visitors back to life on a working 1880s ranch in the Badlands. Cabins on site.
Naard Creek Ranch Killdeer, 701-863-6911
Secluded modern cabin in the Badlands sleeps 10. Nature's paradise for birding, hiking, photography, trail riding, family vacations and many other adventure opportunities. Corrals available.
Lone Butte Ranch You'll find solitude or adventure and more here. Hand-crafted log cabins offer spectacular views of Lone Butte and the Badlands. Horse boarding, hot tubs, ranch experience, and hunting available.
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| North Dakota Tourism/Gene Kellogg |
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Rodeos
Eight seconds seems so long as when you're watching a cowboy hang on for dear life. From national professional events to local high school competitions, rodeo isn't just a sport in North Dakota, it's a feel-the-dirt-in-your-teeth way of life.
June, 2009
June 19-21 - North Dakota High School Rodeo Finals – Bowman
June 26-28 - Roughrider Days Rodeo – Dickinson
July, 2009
July 1-4 - Mandan Rodeo Days – Mandan
July 3-4 - PRCA Killdeer Mtn. Roundup Rodeo – Killdeer
July 3-4 - Fort Ransom Fourth of July Jackpot Rodeo – Fort Ransom
July 10-11 - James River Rodeo – Jamestown
July 31-August 1 - Extreme Cowboy Race – Watford City
August, 2009
August 1 - Hettinger Chamber & Jaycee’s NDRA Rodeo – Hettinger
August 2 - PRCA Champions Ride Rodeo – Sentinel Butte
August 8-9 - Ashley Rodeo – Ashley
September, 2009
September 11-12 - NDRA Rodeo Finals – Watford City
September 25-26 - Roughrider Rodeo Finals – Devils Lake
October, 2009
October 16-17 - Buffalo City Bull-A-Rama – Jamestown
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Forts
Every good western has a fort, and your western experience in North Dakota has plenty of them, too. From authentic buildings to faithful reconstructions, these cavalry and infantry posts make it easy to envision life on America’s last frontier.
Fort Abercromie Located at the eastern edge of Abercrombie, this site preserves the military post that served from 1857 until 1878 as the gateway to the Dakota frontier. A local museum at the site interprets the history of the fort and the area. Only one original building remains, but blockhouses and the palisade wall have been reconstructed. The site is open from May through September. Modern facilities in the museum. Museum admission fee. For more information, contact Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site, P.O. Box 148, Abercrombie, ND, 58001. Phone 701-553-8513.
Fort Abraham Lincoln General Custer’s command post. You know how he died, now see how he lived! A faithful reconstruction of the majority of the post awaits you in one of North Dakota’s favorite state parks. Located south of Mandan on the banks of the Missouri River. Get more information at the Fort Lincoln Web site.
Fort Totten, southwest of Devils Lake, is the most complete cavalry-era fort west of the Mississippi River. Fort Totten’s cavalry square is completely surrounded by original buildings. The fort held a high level of importance to the U.S. Cavalry, protecting mail routes and supplying men and material for Custer on his last mission. Visitors can stay overnight on site at the Totten Trail Inn Bed and Breakfast.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, southwest of Williston, now faithfully reconstructed, at one time hosted the premiere fur trade of the upper Missouri River region. Fort Union was a key trading post at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.
Fort Buford, located near present-day Williston, was one of a number of military posts established to protect overland and river routes used by immigrants settling the West. While it served an essential role as the sentinel on the northern plains for twenty-nine years, Fort Buford is probably best remembered as the place where the famous Hunkpapa Sioux leader, Sitting Bull, surrendered in 1881.
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Indian People of North Dakota
They are the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, the Yanktonai, Sisseton,
Wahpeton, Hunkpapa and other Dakotah/Lakotah (commonly known as the
Sioux) Tribes, along with the Pembina Chippewa, Cree and Métis.
Through the individual tribes have distinct and different origins,
histories and languages, Plains Indians are united by core beliefs and
values that emanate from respect for the earth and an understanding of
humankind's relationship with nature.
Visitors are welcome to explore the reservations and discover the beauty of Indian culture.
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| North Dakota Tourism/Clayton Wolt |
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The Powwow (Celebration)
The Algonquin word "pau wau" was the American Indian word some of the
first Europeans associated with dancing. Although pau wau meant
"he dreams" to the Algonquins, the term was eventually accepted by the
Europeans to refer to dancing, later being spelled "powwow".
Powwows were originally held in the springtime to celebrate the
beginning of new life, but are now held throughout the year. The
celebrations often have religious significance, but are also a time for
people to gather, sing, dance, feast, pray, renew old friendships and
make new ones. These celebrations are still an important part of
life for many American Indians.
The Grand Entry opens the parade of dancers and is a time for
contestants to score points by displaying their style and
regalia. Dancers always enter the arbor and dance sun-wise, or
clockwise, around an eagle staff. The types of dance are as
varied as the colors in the costumes.
- Men's Traditional Dancer -
Decorated with bead and quillwork and a circular bustle of eagle
feathers. Portrays the traditional "dancing out" of the story of
a battle or a hunt.
- Men's Grass Dancer - Outfitted with colorful fringe and dancing in movements that resemble grass blowing in the prairie breeze.
- Men's Fancy Dancer - Wears two brilliantly colored feather bustles, displays fancy footwork, speed, acrobatic steps and spinning motions.
- Northern Plains Women's Traditional Dancer
- Moves subtly, bending her knees in small up and down body movements,
while shifting her feet and turning her body slightly. Some
traditions say the movement symbolizes a woman watching for her warrior
to come home.
- Women's Fancy Shawl Dancer
- Wears decorative cloth dress, beaded moccasins with matching
leggings, fancy shawl, and jewelry. Her dance suggests the
movement of a butterfly and is similar to the men's freestyle dance.
- Jingle Dress Dancer -
Outfitted in hundreds of small, jingling metal cones, traditionally
made of snuff can covers. In one account, women wearing jingle
dresses appeared to a holy man in a dream and taught him how to create
the dress, the dance and its music.
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Annual Powwows and Other Events
Annual Pow-Wow schedules:
Mid-Winter Pow-Wow, New Town
New Year's Eve Day
Memorial Day Wacipi, McLaughlin, S.D.
First weekend in June
Flag Day Wacipi, Cannon Ball
Second weekend in June
Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous, Williston
Third weekend in June
Twin Buttes Powwow, Twin Buttes
Third weekend in June
Paha Yamini Wacipi, Porcupine, S.D.
Third weekend in June
Nux-Bah-Ga Powwow, Parshall
Last weekend in June
Bear Soldier Wacipi, McLaughlin, S.D.
First weekend in July
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Powwow, Agency Village, S.D.
Fourth of July weekend
Arikara Celebration, White Shield
Second weekend in July
Mandaree Annual Powwow, Mandaree
Third weekend in July
Running Antelope Wacipi, Little Eagle, S.D.
Fourth weekend in July
Fort Totten Days Powwow, Fort Totten
Fourth weekend in July
Northern Plains Indian Culture Fest, Stanton
Fourth weekend in July
Long Soldier Wacipi, Fort Yates
First weekend in August
Little Shell Powwow, New Town
Second weekend in August
Rock Creek Wacipi, Bullhead, S.D.
Second weekend in August
Wakpala Wacipi, Wakpala, S.D.
Third weekend in August
Nue'ta (Mandan) Corn Festival, Mandan
Third weekend in August
Turtle Mountain Annual Powwow, Belcourt
Labor Day weekend in September
United Tribes International Powwow, Bismarck
Second weekend in September
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