Transportation

Teacher's Note

This article is part of Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Teacher's Guide for Grades K-8: Guide to the Earthlodge People. It was written by members of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation for educators. Check out the lesson plans connected to this article.

Bull Boat

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Bull Boats

The Hidatsa, and Mandan used the bull boat because it was light (approximately thirty pounds) and could carry up to a half ton. The bull boat was built with willow and covered with fresh buffalo hide and could be finished in a day. The bull boat was used to transport loads of meat and firewood up and down the river. The paddles were made with cottonwood.

Horse

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Horses

In the early to mid 1700 s horses were acquired by the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara. Horses made travel easier for them and increased trading opportunities. Horses were used for transportation and hunting and allowed the men to hunt in more areas. Horses became sacred to all three tribes. Horses are the highest gift bestowed on a guest. The best horses were kept in the earthlodge for safekeeping.

Dog Travois

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Travois

The Mandan and Hidatsa used sled-like travois for transportation when they acquired horses. A travois was made of two poles tied together in the shape of a V. The travois when pulled by a dog carried sixty to eighty pounds in the snow and on grass. Dogs were trained to pull the travois and had to be old and strong enough to carry the load. Horses enabled the village Indians to transport much larger loads by travois, which lightened the burdens of the people.