On August 12, 1806 Lewis & Clark reunited on the Missouri River near the present-day headquarters of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. The expedition traveled on to the Knife River Hidatsa and Mandan villages and days later, bid farewell to their interpreters Sakakawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. Before leaving the Mandan villages, they persuaded one tribal leader, White Coyote, to return with them to meet President Thomas Jefferson. On August 20, 1806 the Expedition left what is now North Dakota.

In August 2006, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota will observe the return of the Corps of Discovery to their homelands, the reunion of Sakakawea at Awatixa, her Hidatsa home, and the journey of White Coyote to the nation’s capitol.

The major themes of this signature event will center on Sakakawea and her life before, during and after the expedition; the Missouri River and it’s impact on the lives of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, and other tribes that hold this river sacred; tribal leadership and the political, social, and ceremonial organization of tribes 200 years ago and today; tribal trade networks and international trade. This four-day event will feature scholarly symposia, re-enactments, dramatic presentations; an art exhibition and trade fair, indigenous games, land and water parades, singing and traditional dance competition, and a fur trade rendezvous.