History for the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara

Reprinted from https://www.mhanation.com/history

Economic and social change

As a means to economic stability and the livelihood of tribes, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (On October 17,1988). This legislation authorized Class III casino gaming on Indian Reservations.  The act also afforded Indian tribes the opportunity to enter into management agreements with outside investors to develop gaming facilities. In the early 1990s, the Three Affiliated entered into a gaming compact with the state of North Dakota.  The tribes undertook renovation of the existing Four Bears Motor Lodge, (a 1974, Office of Economic Opportunity Project), the conversion of the small gas station to a convenience store, and the construction of a recreational facility. The Four Bears Casino and Lodge was opened to the public July 16, 1993. Over 90 percent of the 322 employees were tribal members.  The Four Bears Casino and Lodge currently offers lodging, restaurant, live entertainment, several forms of gaming, and a video arcade. A bingo hall was added to accommodate over 300 players.

Elbowoods

By 1888, Like-a-Fishhook Village was practically deserted as people were encouraged to establish communities on other parts of the reservation. Some of the people moved twenty miles up river where they established the new community of Elbowoods. A few elders refused to move and they remained at the Fishhook village. Again the government took land from the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Sahnish tribes. It was declared that the "Indians are desirous of disposing of a portion thereof in order to obtain the means necessary to enable them to become wholly self-supporting by the cultivation of the soil and other pursuits of husbandry.” (From Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties). 

The agency of Elbowoods was located on the east-side of the Missouri, so most people moved to the west-side of the river, away from the agent. Many people settled in small communities near the river, where they had previously wintered or hunted. 

They situated themselves near a steep, sloped hill with a flat top, on the west bank of the Missouri, and on the east-side of the river. The Elbowoods agency later included a boarding school, hospital, agency headquarters, and a jail. 

Reprinted from https://www.mhanation.com/history