9/17/2010:
The first Fort Berthold Indian Fair began on this date in 1911, held in a large open field near the Elbowoods Agency. Indian fairs, or industrial fairs as many Indian agents referred to them, served a variety of purposes. To Native Americans, the fairs were a social occasion at which cultural demonstrations, stories, and crafts could be shared. To the Indian agents, the fairs were an attempt to showcase assimilation by highlighting the so-called "advances" that Native Americans had made in agriculture and education.
In addition to crop and home industry exhibits, the fair had games, speeches, music, and even a battlefield re-creation. Farmers displayed their newly harvested crops at the commissary, while women entered their dresses and beadwork into competitions. Jellies, cakes, breads, and homemade soaps were also entered. The State Historical Society donated a number of old tribal objects as prizes for the winners. The day schools from each district on the reservation put on exhibits of basket-weaving, drawing, sewing, and garden produce. Many traditional games were played, including the popular moccasin game, foot and horse races, and bronco-riding contests.
Most of the nearly 300 families attending the week-long fair stayed in traditional teepees. Each morning, a traditional camp caller would wake sleepers by traveling among the tents and announcing the day's news and events. Heralds also made announcements during the day. Governor Hanna attended the fair, along with Indian Commissioner Frederick Abbott. The two men spoke with the reservation's elders regarding treaties, land allotments, and coal rights. One fairgoer wrote that they "...were glad to grasp these men by the hand and to hear the good practical words, for many of the younger men are ambitious to make our reservation life count for a great deal. We feel that these men are helping us a great deal." The Governor applauded the fair, and the Native organizers deemed it a great success. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara continued to hold the fairs for some years following, although not on an annual basis.
It is interesting to note that the fairs were an opportunity to revive past traditions, but at the same time served to express the adoption of Anglo-American culture. As such, the fairs represent a unique moment in history at which the intersections between these two cultures may be examined.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
http://history.nd.gov/textbook/unit4_4_indianfair_report1.html
http://history.nd.gov/textbook/unit4_4_indian_fair_intro.html
http://history.nd.gov/textbook/unit4_4_indianfair_report2.html
http://history.nd.gov/textbook/unit4_4_indianfair_images.html
http://www.mhanation.com/main/history/history_elbowoods.html