Native American Flags: Mandan People

Honor the enduring spirit and legacy of the Mandan people—one of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Northern Plains—with our curated collection of Mandan flags and merchandise. These items celebrate a people known for their earth lodges, sophisticated agriculture, and vital role in the alliance that shaped the history and resilience of the Upper Missouri River tribes.

Historical Context

The Mandan are a Siouan-speaking Native American people whose ancestral homeland lies along the Missouri River in what is now North Dakota. Archaeological and oral traditions suggest the Mandan have lived in this region for over 1,000 years. They are known for their advanced earthlodge villages, extensive corn-based agriculture, and complex social structures.

The Mandan maintained thriving trade networks that stretched across the continent, engaging with other tribes and eventually with European explorers such as Lewis and Clark, who visited a Mandan village during their 1804–1806 expedition. The Mandan were skilled farmers, growing corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers, and they raised tobacco for ceremonial use.

Tragically, the Mandan population was decimated by a series of smallpox epidemics in the 18th and 19th centuries. This led to their close alliance with the Hidatsa and later the Arikara, forming what is now known as the Three Affiliated Tribes, headquartered on the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Symbolism of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Flag

The flag of the Three Affiliated Tribes incorporates symbolic elements representing the distinct identities of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nations, while highlighting their unity and shared sovereignty.

Key Elements of the Flag:

  • White Field: The white background signifies peace and spiritual balance among the tribes and with the natural world.

  • Central Circular Emblem: The seal in the center of the flag carries layered symbolism.

  • Corn Imagery: Corn is central to the Mandan way of life and represents abundance, survival, and sacred nourishment. The Mandan were one of the most agriculturally advanced Plains tribes.

  • Three Eagle Feathers: Hanging at the base of the circle are three eagle feathers, one for each of the affiliated tribes. The eagle is a sacred animal in Mandan belief, symbolizing protection, connection to the Creator, and spiritual strength.

  • Tribal Names: “Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara” appear clearly in the seal, recognizing the sovereign identity and equal standing of each tribe within the alliance.

  • Other Cultural Symbols: Depending on the variation of the seal, traditional tools, earth lodge silhouettes, and landscape elements may appear, symbolizing the Mandan's historic lifestyle and territorial roots.

Modern Relevance and Tribal Governance

The Mandan people today are part of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in western North Dakota. While maintaining their own heritage, the Mandan work in unity with the Hidatsa and Arikara to govern tribal lands, manage natural resources (including energy development), and revitalize language and cultural traditions.

The tribal flag is a visual representation of this unity, flown at governmental buildings, cultural centers, ceremonial sites, and public gatherings. It reflects resilience, sovereignty, and cultural continuity.

Additional Facts About the Mandan People

  • The Mandan were some of the first Native Americans to adopt permanent, fortified villages along the upper Missouri River.

  • Earth lodges, large circular structures made of wood, earth, and grass, were homes to multiple families and central to Mandan social life.

  • The Mandan are known for the Okipa Ceremony, a complex religious ritual involving fasting, dancing, and symbolic trials meant to renew the tribe's spiritual strength and ensure the community's well-being.

  • The tribe has long emphasized education and language preservation, with ongoing programs to revitalize the Mandan language.

  • The Mandan played a crucial role in early U.S. exploration and diplomacy, especially during Lewis and Clark’s winter encampment in 1804–1805 near their village.