MHA Nation elders gather for summer luncheon

The lively chatter of old friends greeting one another rose like a wave from the 4 Bears Casino Event Center on the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Around 300 Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation elders aged 60 and older, some traveling to North Dakota from out of state, had gathered for the Elders Era Summer Luncheon to catch up with one another, share a meal and maybe win some cash.

The July 16 luncheon started like all MHA gatherings do: with a prayer. MHA singer, songwriter and guitar player Chloe Fredericks then kicked off the event with a live performance, the songs soulful and folksy. Afterward, elders helped themselves to barbecue brisket, cheesy potatoes and cake, and the event center once again filled with voices, this time talking over full plates of food.

Elders line up to eat barbecue brisket, chicken, cheesy potatoes, corn and cake at the 4 Bears Casino Event Center, July 16. (Photo Photo credit: Gabrielle Nelson)

Marilyn Youngbird, 86, told Buffalo’s Fire she looks forward to tribal celebrations like the elders’ event to stay active and connect with people.

After food was cleared away, the most anticipated event of the day – bingo – commenced. Over the course of 13 rounds led by Fort Berthold’s resident master of ceremonies, MHA citizen Charlie Moran, Sr., elders won cash prizes totaling $10,000. Dinah Belgarde won the biggest cash prize of the day: $3,000.

Dinah Belgarde was the first to cover every space on her bingo card in the second round of blackout bingo. She won $3,000. (Photo Photo credit: Gabrielle Nelson)

Tribal elders also got the chance to win more than 100 door prizes, including a 70-inch TV, a KitchenAid mixer, a Blackstone grill and a mini fridge.

“The tribe should do this once a month,” Moran said, while calling bingo numbers. The crowd responded with cheers.

The MHA Nation elders luncheon is held semiannually to honor the tribe’s elders. Along with games and prizes, tribal elders also receive People’s Fund disbursements, a cut of the tribe's oil and gas development profits distributed to all enrolled members over 21.

Two elders representing the Northeast segment of the MHA Nation went all out with their ‘50s-themed outfits. (Photo Photo credit: Gabrielle Nelson)

Additionally, because with age comes ailments, medical professionals set up three tables to check tribal elders’ blood glucose levels and offer medical advice.

The gathering was slow to end as people lingered to keep talking about grandchildren, life and the upcoming Mandaree Powwow.