Hidatsa

The Hidatsa are a Native American people of the Missouri River valley, traditionally centered in the central region of present-day North Dakota. They have historically lived in close association with the Mandan and, together with the Arikara, formed a regional political and cultural bloc in the upper Missouri country before and after contact with Europeans. Today Hidatsa people are enrolled in the Three Affiliated Tribes, also known as the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, which governs the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.

Language and classification

The Hidatsa language is a Northern Siouan tongue belonging to the Mandan–Hidatsa sub-branch of the Siouan language family. It is traditionally spoken alongside Hidatsa dialects and, in contemporary times, many Hidatsa people are bilingual in English. The language is considered endangered, with revitalization and language transmission programs supported by the tribe and educational institutions.

History and society

Historically, Hidatsa villages consisted of robust earth lodges organized in clusters, with social and economic life focused on farming, kin-based networks, and intertribal trade. Their agriculture emphasized maize, beans, squash, and sunflowers, complemented by hunting and gathering. The Hidatsa cultivated a rich ceremonial and social life, and they engaged in extensive trading networks with neighboring nations and European traders.

European contact and modernization

From the 17th through the 19th centuries, contact with Europeans introduced new goods, horses, and diseases, markedly affecting Hidatsa communities. In the 1860s, the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara relocated to the Fort Berthold Reservation, where they consolidated under the Three Affiliated Tribes governance.

Notable aspects

Modern Hidatsa communities work to preserve language, culture, and heritage through ceremonies, arts, and education. Notable figures in Hidatsa history include traditional storytellers and artists who documented their culture for future generations.