A pow wow will be held this weekend at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in North Dakota/NPS

Native American culture will be on display at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in North Dakota this Saturday during a pow wow hosted by Northern Plains Oyate.

Traditional music, dancing, and culture wil be featured Saturday as part of this year’s annual Indian Arts Showcase at the trading post. There will be additional Native American dancing on Sunday. Native American artists also will be displaying their works on both days. This event is free.

The Indian Arts Showcase is one event that highlights the history and culture of the Northern plains tribes. Included are presentations, music, and traditional crafts to help connect visitors with this rich culture, said Ranger Loren Yellow Bird.

The Northern Plains Oyate group will be sponsoring its first annual pow wow at Fort Union. The pow wow opens Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and goes until the park closes at 6 p.m. Descendants of Oglala Lakota leader Crazy Horse will offer a presentation on their ancestor. Known as the Clown family, they will talk about oral traditions and the history of Crazy Horse.

Members of the Hidatsa tribe will also have horseback riders come in and talk about the Xo’ shga riders and their mission. Native American artisans continue to be part of the program as well, displaying their traditional arts and crafts throughout the weekend. Their knowledge with traditional arts and crafts continues to be the legacy for the Indian Arts Showcase.

"Our programs continue to give our visitors an experience they might never get in their lifetime," said Ranger Yellow Bird. "We appreciate the tribes who continue to come and help bring this opportunity to our visitors.”

Sponsoring the event are the Northern Plains Oyate, The Friends of Fort Union, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation office of Councilman Fred Fox, the Fort Union Cooperative Association, and the Williston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Park hours are from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT daily. Fort Union Trading Post is located 24 miles north of Sidney, Montana, and 25 miles southwest of Williston, North Dakota, via highway 1804.