A daylong "winter adventure"is planned Feb. 21 at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site near Stanton.

The day's activities begin at 11 a.m. MST. After lunch, participants will try a traditional craft taught in the Hidatsa-Mandan tradition by tribal historic preservation officer Elgin Crowsbreast.

During the afternoon, snowshoeing the trails through the Hidatsa villages will be led by Brian McCutchen, Knife River Indian Villages superintendent, archaeologist Timothy Reed of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and state paleontologist John Hoganson of the North Dakota Geological Survey, who will talk about Hidatsa village life.

Other activities include throwing atlatls and playing with ice gliders. Hot chocolate will be served while people view the interpretive center exhibits and experience an evening in an earthlodge, where a fireside traditional buffalo feast will be served. After dinner, traditional stories will be told, with Calvin Grinnell providing cultural perspective on the Mandan, Hidatsa and Sanish culture. Matt Schanandore will present American Indian flute music and stories taught to him by his grandmother.

The region of the Knife River Indian Villages, at the confluence of the Knife and Missouri rivers, was for centuries a center of agricultural settlement and trade. Participants will visit Awaitixa Xi'e, or Lower Hidatsa Village, and Awatixa, also known as Sakakawea Village. For more information about this site, visit www.nps.gov/knri.

This outdoor program requires moderate physical activity and is recommended for ages 12 and older. Participants are responsible for their own warm clothing. Warm drinks and indoor alternatives will be available throughout the day.

Registration is $60 per person. The fee includes two meals, use of snowshoes, all activity supplies and presentations. To register, call the State Historical Society at 328-2724. Payment in full is required at the time of registration. No refunds are available unless the event is canceled due to weather. The registration deadline is Feb. 6; numbers are limited to 21 people, first-come, first-served.

The Winter Adventure Heritage Outbound program is sponsored by the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, the Knife River Indian Heritage Foundation, the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the North Dakota Geological Survey.