1787 - James MacKay reaches Mandan Village

A Mandan village at the mouth of the Knife River, painting by George Catlin

           The North West Company sent James MacKay up the Missouri River from St. Louis to meet and trade with the Mandans at the Knife River.   MacKay wrote: "On my arrival they received me with all the affability possible, many of their chiefs came to meet me, at some distance from their village, and would not permit me to enter their village on foot.  They carried me between four men in a buffalo robe to their chief's house...when in a little time they prepared a feast for me and my men."

(for more, click here)