Three Affiliated Tribes Honor Family

The Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Tribes, known as the Three Affiliated Tribes from Fort Berthold Indian Reservation North Dakota, honored the Klaudt Indian Family during the Sakakawea Lewis & Clark Bi-Centennial Celebration.

During the festivities, the weekend of August 17 -20 of 2006, the Tribal Museum dedicated a Klaudt Family Exhibit for representing the Reservation for over 50 years of continued ministry in Gospel Singing.

The exhibit included photos, albums and other memorabilia about the family’s long career as gospel singers.

Marilyn Hudson, Three Tribes Museum Administrator, said, “I remember seeing the family over 50 years ago, when they performed one of the last concerts in Elbowoods, before the Garrison Dam was built.” “Their long career has taken them all over the world, and they have received many awards and recognition for the contributions to the world of country gospel music,” said Hudson

Hudson also stated, “Our condolences go to Vernon’s wife, Betty, and to his brothers and sister, Melvin, Raymond Kenneth and Ramona and other members of the Klaudt Family on the passing of Vernon Klaudt. In a memorial tribute to this remarkable family, we have asked the MHA Times to publish a number of items from the exhibit.”

The remaining members of the Klaudt Family express their appreciation and gratitude to their home reservation in honoring us in this fashion. If you ever get the chance to visit our home in Northwest North Dakota, do stop by and visit the museum.

The Three Affiliated Tribes is the home of Sakakawea (Sakajawea) the Bird Woman that led Lewis and Clark out west during the Lewis and Clark Expedition.