FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erik Holland
December 14, 2011
(701) 328-2792
BISMARCK - Experience and explore winter life at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. Join others for a day of activities and learning on Saturday, February 11, 2012. The Winter Adventure Heritage Outbound program is sponsored by the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, the Knife River Indian Heritage Foundation, the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and the North Dakota Geological Survey.
The main event of the Heritage Outbound winter adventure begins with a shared meal with fellow adventurers at the Knife River Indian Heritage Foundation at 12 Noon Central Time. The Foundation’s building is located just south of the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site near Stanton, North Dakota.
Next, spend the afternoon snowshoeing the trails through the Hidatsa villages with State Historical Society of North Dakota staff Erik Holland and Timothy Reed, and John Hoganson of the North Dakota Geological Survey. The group will visit Awaitixa Xie, or Lower Hidatsa Village and Awatixa also known as Sakakawea Village.
Share a traditional trail snack while learning about Hidatsa village life and the Knife and Missouri Rivers through the lenses of archaeology, geology, history and oral tradition. Back at the visitors center adventurers will also be able to check out their skills using atlatls to throw spears or compete with fellow adventurers using ice gliders. They will also be able to warm up with hot chocolate as they make a traditional craft. They will learn about earthlodge life by investigating the objects once used by the Hidatsa that are featured in the interpretive center exhibits before experiencing an evening in the earthlodge. They will gather around a huge roaring fire in the earthlodge, where a traditional buffalo feast will be served for their enjoyment. An unforgettable evening continues with traditional storytelling and Matt Schanandore playing American Indian flute music and stories taught to him by his grandmother.
This outdoor program requires moderate physical activity and is recommended for ages 12 years and older. Participants are responsible for their own warm clothing. A memorable and safe experience for all participants is the goal.
Registration is $60 per person. The fee includes two hearty meals, use of snowshoes, all activity supplies, and presentations. To register, contact Erik Holland at the State Historical Society of North Dakota at (701) 328-2792 or email eholland@nd.gov. Payment in full is required at the time of registration. No refunds are available unless the event is cancelled due to weather. The registration deadline is Monday, February 6, 2012, and is limited to 25 people, on a first come, first served basis. Give someone a one-of-a-kind gift for the Holidays. Gift certificates are available for this event!
The day can begin with an optional snowshoeing experience at Fort Clark State Historic Site. For this, adventurers will meet at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, and leave for Fort Clark at 10 a.m. Central Time.
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Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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Hours:
Exhibit galleries and Museum Store: 8am - 5pm M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10am - 5pm.
State Archives: 8am - 4:30pm., M-F, except legal holidays, and 2nd Sat. of each month, 10am - 4:30 pm.
State Historical Society offices: 8am - 5pm M-F, except legal holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: (701) 328-2666
fax: (701) 328-3710
email: histsoc@nd.gov
