Fascinating History of Knife River Indian Villages

As I wandered through the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, my sensors registered the rich history of the area's Northern Plains Indians. I learned about the lives and culture of the Hidatsa and Mandan tribes who once lived here. The well-maintained material culture made me feel as if I was experiencing their daily life myself. I also discovered the geology, agriculture and climate that shaped their world over time. It was intriguing how they used fire to enrich the soil and adapted to living in grasslands with limited water. One surprising fact I learned is that before the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans built complex and multi-storied houses in this area. I compared their way of life with other Native American communities in North Dakota which enhanced my experience greatly.