Fifteen NDSU students, faculty and staff traveled to the Ft. Berthold Reservation to serve and learn about tribal neighbors, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, April 23-25.
The trip, which was organized by the NDSU Memorial Union, Office of Multicultural Programs and the Tribal College Partnership in conjunction with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and the tribe’s Tourism Office, was meant to engage and learn in a tribal community.
Participants spent a night in the tribe’s Earth Lodges, visited the Garrison Dam and learned about family histories, tribal history and traditional and spiritual beliefs.
“The hospitality shared to us by the tribe’s entities was truly amazing and appreciated,” Matt Skoy, NDSU assistant director of the Service Learning Program, said. “They even sent us away with departing gifts that we put to good use.”
Service projects included cleaning the ditches alongside two miles of road and stripping tipi poles of bark for use by the tribe. The group also was given a tour of the landscape overlooking the Missouri River. They volunteered 195 total hours throughout the weekend.
“This was a great experience for everyone on the trip,” said Monique Vondall-Rieke, another organizer of the trip. “I am sure these students will never forget this experience and some already have plans of attending the May powwow on the reservation.”
For more information on future service learning events sponsored by the NDSU group, contact the NDSU Student Activities Volunteer Network by e-mail at ndsu.volunteer.network@ndsu.edu. To learn more about the MHA Nation, go to www.mhanation.com.