Winter Village of the Minatarees

Building Fort Mandan

New Year's Celebration

Reporting to the President

Mandan Buffalo Calling Ceremony

Winter with the Mandans

"The Men commenced dancing … the Natives signify[ed] their approbation by a Whoop….”
(Joseph Whitehouse, January 1, 1805)

The Corps of Discovery established its winter camp close to five Mandan and Hidatsa villages sited along the Missouri River. Although the tribes there already had ties to the Canadian fur trade, they were worried about aggressive Sioux bands pressing them from the south, and therefore had many reasons to forge a partnership with the Americans. The explorers were also eager for allies. They needed food for the coming winter and information about the unknown territory ahead.