The cover of their album introduces us at once to a people with a proud heritage. The cover photograph is of Four Bears, last traditional Mandan Chief. He was a participant of the signing of the historic Fort Laramie Treaty, and made many contributions to the tribe during his chieftainship. The costume shows the importance of the office, and the artistic heritage of a people who created trappings of such splendor.

The Mandan call themselves, Nu A Da or the People; they are sometimes referred to as the Mound Builders, because of the earth lodges in which they lived. The Mandan Tribe, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes today, live mainly in Mandaree or Western Segment of the Ft. Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.

Mandaree was the winning name in a contest conducted right after the "Reorganization" of the Ft. Berthold Reservation in the early 1950's. Father Reinhardt, a Catholic priest, submitted the winning name. The name was derived from the Three Affiliated Tribes – MANDAN, HIDATSA, and ARIKARA (sometimes spelled ARIKAREE).

The Mandaree Singers are among the finest of drum groups in the Northern Plains. The songs in this album demonstrate their versatility; their repertoire includes many songs and varieties of songs, both traditional and contemporary.

The record opens with three doorway songs. Doorway songs are very old, and the custom in its original form has all but died out although some songs remain. The name doorway is derived from the manner in which the songs were sung. Groups of young men would move through the village or encampment stopping at each doorway to serenade the young girls. The songs were composed for listening, not dancing. A more modern usage for these songs occurs sometimes at pow-wows, when the songs are used by groups of young people (of both sexes) singing from camp to camp. They do not begin until after the regular activities are over (grass or war dances, contests, etc.). These songs have sometimes been jokingly referred to today as 'lullabies' sung by the young folks at the pow-wows to lull the older folks to sleep. Doorway Song No. 1 says "I Used to Go With Her, but NO MORE!" The other two have no words.

Scout songs were originally sung the night before the young warriors (about 18 years old) would go forth on an adventure to prove their bravery. They might have been going on a war party or hunting. The songs were to prepare and encourage themselves. The songs have also been used at times as honor songs.

Three round dances come next. These are social dance songs, still used at pow-wows. Anyone attending the pow-wow may participate in the round dances, moving with the shuffle step in a big circle. Sometimes such songs have bits of English lyrics with 'jokes.' This is a fun-type dance, with no age barriers.

Song 3 and 4 on Side Two are GRASS dances, or as more often called 'war' dances or 'pow-wow' songs. These are 'standard' songs and dances at most celebrations in the North Central USA. Participants enter the dance arena to enjoy themselves. the are not planning to entertain others (although those not dancing usually enjoy watching the dancers). Hundreds of individuals may be dancing at a given time, each in costume, and each doing 'his own style', in rhythm with the music.

Song Number 5 on Side Two, honoring a World War II veteran, tell him: "Warrior, you have won the war. you have gone through the smoke (gunfire). You are a brave man."

Song Number 6 honors Vietnam veterans: "Viet Cong, you want to rule the whole world. The young warriors from the Three Tribes have gone to stop this. They are brave men."

... Notes by GORDON BIRD, Pierre, South Dakota