By Shelbe Bearstail- MHA Times Office Manager

Wednesday, May 19th 2021 will forever mark an important day in the history of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara nation.

A dream, now a reality. The project certainly did not happen overnight. It was a long time coming, the project actually began back in the early 2000’s. It was the vision of Scott Eagle, he had worked on it with Denby Deegan, both are no longer with us. But they were with us in spirit at the grand opening. Delphine Baker took the vision and built on it. Delphine worked really hard to make it possible. She made sure that the whole project was indeed done by Native owned companies. Such as the architect. Many of us remember visiting the earth lodges that were tucked away in the hills near the lake, right across the highway from where Drags wolf village is located. That is where the Interpretive Center is located. It was a major hurdle to even be able to dig. Now we have the newly constructed interpretive center. 

Chairman Mark Fox spoke about how each segment has so much new things going up in their communities. The oil will not last forever, but while it is here it is important for the Three Affiliated Tribes to build infrastructures that will last for the generations to come. Not just infrastructure, but education and health care. At the end of the speeches there was a gift giving ceremony, then the ribbon cutting. The staff gave the guests tours and some delicious, in house food was served downstairs at the concessions. 

Not only does the interpretive center bring culture and knowledge of the MHA Nation, it also is a great addition to the community. There is a recording studio that elders and other tribal members can go and share stories and the language, which will be preserved for years to come right at that very building. There is a big archive room that will be used to store artifacts, it is temperature controlled and is protected by a state-of-the-art fire system. Plenty of events will be hosted at the building. Not only do they have the exhibit, there is also a gift shop, and coffee shop. The coffee is yummy and there is quite the variety of fun names for their coffee. Plus, they also have daily lunch specials. A new lunch spot. Check it out! Ask for a Neeshub, it will get ya goin’! The coffee shop is named Black Water in Hidatsa. The gift shop is named after Scott Eagle’s Indian name which is “Oak Tree.” It has lots of beautiful items from purses/totes to men’s, women’s and kids clothing, and some stunning jewelry. Jams and jellies that are locally homemade, and much more. The exhibit displays many family names of the families that used to reside down where Lake Sakakawea now lies. The exhibit is free to enrolled members to view and is $10 for non-enrolled adults, and $5 for non-enrolled kids. Definitely worth taking a look at. If you or someone you know have stories or songs that you would like to share with the MHA Nation Interpretive Center, please contact Delphine Baker at (701)627-2243.