The Mandan are a Native American tribe originally located along the Missouri River in present-day North Dakota. Known for their earthlodge villages, they were skilled farmers, traders, and central figures in the Plains trade network. They cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash, while also engaging in hunting and trading with neighboring tribes such as the Hidatsa and Arikara.

The Mandan have a rich spiritual and cultural heritage, including creation myths, ceremonial traditions, and storytelling, with the Okipa ceremony being one of their most well-known rituals. Despite suffering population losses due to disease and forced relocation, they remain a resilient people, now part of the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation) on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Today, they continue to preserve their traditions, language, and identity while adapting to modern life.