American Indians Play Major Role at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

by Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

FORT UNION, NORTH DAKOTA - On what were the traditional homelands of the Assiniboine sits the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. It is featured this week as part of the “Experience America’s Best Idea National Park Getaways.”

Indian Arts Showcase

Historically, at the height of its prominence, the Fort Union Trading Post served as place for American Indian tribes, such as the Assiniboine, Crow, Cree, Ojibwa, Blackfeet, Hidatsa, and other Northern Plains tribes brought their buffalo robes and other furs for goods, such as cloth, guns, blankets, cookware and beads.

Through the 40 years of operation, the fort hosted numerous visitors, including George Catlin, John James Audubon and Prince Maximilian.

The Fort Union Trading Post was established in 1828 and operated for forty years. Now, it is a national historic site. Fort Union is located on the Missouri River at the North Dakota and Montana border.

Loren Yellow Bird, Sr. (Ariakara) is the chief of interpretation at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. Yellow Bird is a traditional storyteller, who began working at the Fort Union Trading Post ten years ago, as a part-time employee. Yellow Bird is originally from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota.

During the summer, American Indians play a major role in sharing and teaching others about Indian culture. The Indian Arts Showcase is held each August. Visitors can witness traditional Indian drumming and dancing; storytelling by Indian elders and Indian artisans doing quillwork, making pipes, tanning hides and demonstrating other traditional Indian arts.

Check out this week’s National Park Getaways »