"This keen interest in Native people from people of other countries always amazes me, because in the seven years I have lived in Grand Forks, I always am surprised to find how few people know how many tribes live in North Dakota. Even more difficult, it seems, is to name a few of the tribes here.

I used to proudly tell people that this is Indian country - the Dakotas, Montana and Minnesota. There are 32 tribes in these states. Now I'm wondering if they knew what that meant.

That is basic information about the tribes in North Dakota and Minnesota. But how many non-Natives have been on a reservation or attended a powwow or celebration, and how many have some understanding of the culture? Yes, I know most people know about the poverty and alcoholism. But how much history and good information do they have?"

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Serbian visitors want, and get, glimpse of Indian life (The Grand Forks Herald 5/4)

More Dorreen Yellow Bird:
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