Dakota Datebook

For decades, North Dakota lawmakers used massive bill books at their desks to read and track legislation. Bill books were heavy and cumbersome and required constant updates for amendments. The process was tedious and involved a blizzard of paper and a lot of time.

In today's episode of Dakota Datebook, we'll hear Scott Davis, enrolled member of the Standing Rock and Turtle Mountain Nations share with us about the importance of unlearning and relearning.

Today, we recognize one of North Dakota’s listings in the National Register of Historic Places.

Today we continue strolling down memory lane, recalling past concerts in North Dakota. Perhaps you’ll remember some!

As they moved out onto the Great Plains, pioneers were struck by the lack of trees. Trees were taken for granted east of the Mississippi. Trees provided building materials, wind breaks, and fuel. Among those who missed trees was Nebraska newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton. He became a strong advocate for tree planting.

In the times of national Prohibition, considerable quantities of bootleg alcohol flowed around North Dakota despite the illegality of selling, consuming and transporting liquor. On this date in 1930, a newspaper story about a “mystery truck,” caused quite a stir in Fargo. The article told of an incident on March 30 in Fargo’s warehouse district, just west of downtown.

On today's Dakota Datebook, we'll hear an important teaching about broken spirits from Lorraine Davis, enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.

Walter Burleigh was one of Dakota Territory’s early politicians. He was an Indian agent accused of shady dealings who went on to become a delegate to Congress, wielding influence over who got territorial jobs. He was also a witness at President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial.

In March 1929, as ice broke up in the Missouri River, local federal meteorologist O. W. Roberts watched, issued advisements, and recorded what was going on. He wrote: “As long as there is ice on the Missouri river, there is danger of a flood.” Many others also watched the river. The Bismarck Tribune commented the “banks of the river between Bismarck and Mandan were crowded with spectators.” They watched huge logs in the river and reported seeing muskrats riding downstream on cakes of ice.

Monuments and tributes to the past are sprinkled throughout North Dakota towns and parks. Many towns have veteran and war memorials. Mandan, Minot and Medora have a statue of President Theodore Roosevelt. Grand Forks has a sculpture commemorating the 1997 Red River Flood. Some towns pay tribute with a local symbol, like Salem Sue in New Salem and Tommy the snowmobiling turtle in Bottineau.