Last updated: November 8, 2021
Place
Awatixa Xi'e Village (Lower Hidatsa)
People of the Willows
Quick Facts
Location:
Knife River Indian Villages NHS near Stanton, ND
Significance:
Hidatsa Village
Awatixa Xi'e Village, also known as Lower Hidatsa Village, was established as early as 1525 and continuously occupied for 250 years until about 1780-1785. Home to the Awatixa, a Hidatsa subgroup, this lively village covered an area of about 10 acres and contained at least 51 earthlodges. An estimate of 500-600 people lived in the village, 10 to 30 per lodge. The Hidatsa oral history tells us that the Awatixa subgroup claim no other homeland than the region along the Missouri River near the Knife River.
The Awatixa oral history tells us that they were here long before Hidatsa proper and Awaxawi, another Hidatsa subgroup, arrived. Many generations lived in Awatixa Xi’e Village. They farmed, hunted and gathered food.They were devout in their beliefs and incorporated their spirituality in everything they did. The Awatixa tradition was to give freely of food and clothing, to all in need and no one in the village ever went hungry.
This area was a major trading center, and, like a modern-day mall, people came from far and wide to trade goods. The corn and Knife River flint were the best-selling items. One could also trade beads, horses, produce, meats, hides, bison robes, beaded clothing for anything you wanted if you could negotiate a fair trade.
The Awatixa oral history tells us that they were here long before Hidatsa proper and Awaxawi, another Hidatsa subgroup, arrived. Many generations lived in Awatixa Xi’e Village. They farmed, hunted and gathered food.They were devout in their beliefs and incorporated their spirituality in everything they did. The Awatixa tradition was to give freely of food and clothing, to all in need and no one in the village ever went hungry.
This area was a major trading center, and, like a modern-day mall, people came from far and wide to trade goods. The corn and Knife River flint were the best-selling items. One could also trade beads, horses, produce, meats, hides, bison robes, beaded clothing for anything you wanted if you could negotiate a fair trade.