![]() ![]() ![]() The Spanish sought to establish direct overland communication between Santa Fé and St. Louis explored the Missouri and strengthened relations with the Mandan (whom they called Mandanas) in an effort to discourage trade in the region by the English and the Americans. The encounter with the French in the 18th century created a trading link between the French and Native Americans of the region the Mandan served as middlemen in the trade in furs, horses, guns, crops and buffalo products. It is estimated that at the time of his visit, 15,000 Mandan resided in the nine villages on the Heart River, a tributary of the Missouri River near Mandan, North Dakota. The first documented Mandan encounter with Europeans occurred with the visit of the French Canadian trader Sieur de la Verendrye in 1738. They were a more settled tribe than most, establishing year round villages and permanent homes. They are believed to have migrated from the Ohio River Valley sometime between 700 nd 1300. The Mandan today live in North Dakota, along the Missouri River, but historically, they lived in Missouri. ![]() The Mandan are arguably one of the most interesting of the Native tribes, in part, because of the persistent belief by some that they are not entirely Native….and haven’t been since before the 1400s in the era we describe as that of “European contact.” 1832 painting of Mandan girl, Shakoka, by George Caitlin. ![]()
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