Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation
chairman
council
segments
history
tourism
businesses
health care
casino
college
energy
law_enforce
calendar
cnews
contact us


Welcome to the official website of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.  We are pleased to offer this service to our enrolled members, visitors, and guests.

MISSION STATEMENT:  The Three Affiliated Tribes will provide to the Tribe and people, maximum quality services, by being responsible, accountable, respectful, caring, and will incorporate the traditional values of our elders and ancestors.

 

Chairman Levings Joins President Barack Obama at White House for Historical Signing of Tribal Law & Order Act

obama_tloa.jpg

Chairman Levings joined President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House on Thursday July 29, 2010, as he signed into law the Tribal Law and Order Act.  The President was joined by over a hundred tribal leaders, tribal law enforcement officers, and women’s rights advocates as he signed what is being hailed as a historic event for changing the way tribes can enforce laws and call on federal resources for prosecuting violent crimes on tribal land.

Joining President Obama on stage to witness the signing of the law were tribal leaders from throughout Indian country; Jonathan Windy Boy, Vice Chairman of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, Theresa Two Bulls, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Marcus D. Levings, Chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes. Lisa Marie Iyotte, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota who introduced the President to the gathered audience.

In addition to President Obama, the United States Government was represented by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Secretary Ken Salazar, Department of the Interior, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Representative Ed Pastor (D-AZ), Representative Dale Kildee (D-MI), and Representative Tom Cole (R-OK).

 

Chairman Levings by Dawn Charging

STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN MARCUS D.LEVINGS,

“Eh-Bah-Dah-Gish - White Headed Eagle”

 

“Shortly after I announced I would not seek re-election, I received an overwhelming response from tribal members asking me to re-evaluate my decision. It was the request from the elders that caused me to reconsider – at their urging and the urging of many other people, I will again seek the Chairman’s position.

It was humbling to hear those positive comments and I want to thank those people who supported me and asked me to seek the position again. I also want to thank those who have been supportive in these past 22 years that I’ve worked for the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people.

It was TAT elders and tribal members who came to me this past weekend and caused me to really consider running again. She stated, ‘In the early history of our tribes, leaders were chosen by a group of elders who were aware of the needs of the community. They examined candidates and through conversation and ceremony chose the leader. There was no campaigning nor was there any voting. The individual being called upon had no choice, but to step forward. They were chosen to lead and lead they did.’

She said the elders respected my desire to spend more time with my family, but told me with some planning – I could develop a schedule where I would have more time with my family. She further stated, ‘Many of us admire you, because you don’t abuse alcohol or drugs. You are a Christian, yet you encourage and participate in the traditional ways…you have a good heart. When you come to our communities you always have a big smile.’

She added, ‘It is also important to us that you have always been supportive and respectful of elders and all the people.’

I talked with my family after receiving all the positive comments and supportive feedback.

Alvina and I also recently celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary on July 17. After hearing the elders’ and tribal members’ wishes and concerns, I have decided to run for re-election to once again serve as your Tribal Chairman.

Mad-zi-gi-datz…Thank you…”

 

 


Levings and Obama

During the White House conference on Thursday, Three Affiliated Tribal Chairman Marcus Levings had this exchange with President Obama. It came near the end of the president's opening remarks to tribal leaders. The chairs of all of North Dakota's tribes were at the meeting.

The exchange between Levings and Obama:

OK, you know, let's see, this gentleman right here with the headdress.

Honorable President Obama, this is the second time I get a chance to address you. I've been wearing the war bonnet and I've been really displeasing these gentle ladies behind me, but this is yours. In our Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara ways you don't give a gift to a tent, you give it to the individual. You are our commander-in-chief for the soldiers, I'm a lieutenant in the Army Reserve. My name is Ee-Ba-Da-Gish, White-Headed Eagle. I am the chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. My name is Marcus Dominick Levings. I first met you in Grand Forks at your VIP room. My mother is Dowah (phonetic) Rezilda "Brady" Wells. She gave you the red, white, and blue star quilt ...

Yes, it's beautiful.

With all the prayers. She sent this to you as well, so I'll give it to whatever Secret Service people I need to do that. (Laughter.)

President Obama, I have two issues for my people, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, 11,000 tribal members who live in western North Dakota on top of the Williston Basin, the Bakken Formation. We have oil and gas development today, Mr. President. We have an opportunity to be independent from any means of federal programs, any type of issues that we had been not needing before the flood of Elbowoods, North Dakota, in the 1950s. In the spirit of progress, our elders, our ancestors gave up their bottom land. Ninety percent of our people live there, Mr. President. And now they're up on high hilltops, 77-below wind chill factors in winter.

We are the tribe, the Mandan, Hidatsas and Arikaras, who saved Lewis and Clark. We were the ones who made it so they can go out to blaze the trail to Portland. Now we come for you to ask for some help on our energy development, to get the 49-step process eliminated so our elders, who are dying as we speak, can generate opportunities to receive royalties on their minerals.

Second, with all this economic development boom that's going on, Mr. President, in the Williston Basin, and Fort Berthold Reservation, 1 million acres, we need homes. We are short 1,000 homes, Mr. President, home ownership and rentals as well. So on behalf of the Tribal Business Council and my elders, I stand humbly in front of you and ask for your help. Thank you.

Thank you.


A video of President Obama's address and the question and answer session is available. Chairman Levings exchange with the President begins at minute 41:47 on the video.

Click here to view a C-Span video of the conference




News last updated on August 17, 2010 - Click the picture above for the latest on what is happening in our Nation.






Health Care News last updated on August 17, 2010 - Click the picture above for the latest Health Care News in our Nation.



 

Chairman's Newsletters
Chairman's Newsletters



Council Minutes
Council Minutes



TAT enrollment






Proposed TAT Code Amendments

Fort Berthold Communication Enterprises

 

 

email us | Phone: 701-627-4781
Three Affiliated Tribes, 404 Frontage Road, New Town, North Dakota, 58763
Copyright ® 2004-2009 Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation.

Three Affiliated Tribes