Hidatsa

Alternate Names: Minataree, Grosventre

History
Smallpox epidemics devistated the tribe in the 1780s and again in 1837.

In 1845 the tribe established Like-A-Fishhook Village near Fort Berthold trading post.

The Fort Berthold Agency was established in 1870 and was assigned to serve the Hidatsa, Mandan and Arikara tribes.

The tribe was alloted land in 1888 and Like-A-Fishhook Village was abandoned.

The Hidatsa, Mandan and Arikara formed the Three Affiliated Tribes in 1934 under the Indian Reorganization Act.

In 1876, their population was estimated to be about 500. By 1910 that number had increased to 547, and by 1980, their population was 1,548.

Brief Timeline

 * 1780-1781: smallpox epidemic
 * 1837: smallpox devistated the Tribe
 * 1845: established Like-A-Fishhook Village near Fort Berthold trading post
 * 1870: Fort Berthold Agency established for Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara Tribes. These tribes later became the Three Affiliated Tribes
 * 1888: most were located on alloted land; Like-A-Fishhook Village abandoned
 * 1934: Three Affiliated Tribes formed - Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara
 * 1951-1954: relocated for contruction of Garrison Dam and reservoir

Reservations
The primary reservation for the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara Tribes - the Three Affiliated Tribes - is the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.

Additional References to the History of the Tribe

 * Frederick Webb Hodge, in his Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, gave a more complete history of the Hidatsa tribe, with estimations of the population of the tribe at various time periods.
 * Additional details are given in David Bushnell's Villages of the Algonquian, Siouan and Caddoan Tribes West of the Mississippi.

Tribal Headquarters
Three Affiliated Tribes 404 Frontage Road New Town, ND 58763 Phone: 701.627.4781 Fax: 701.627.3503

Agency
Fort Berthold Agency

Important Web Sites

 * MHA Nation-Three Affiliated Tribes Website
 * Hidatsa Tribe Wikipedia