NEW TOWN - Brenda Hall Dvorak says the Three Affiliated Tribes want to reproduce their history for a 2006 celebration of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and Sakakawea.

The tribal business council hired Hall Dvorak three months ago as the director of the Lewis and Clark bicentennial "signature event" being planned by members of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes.

The event, titled "Reunion at the Home of Sakakawea," is scheduled for Aug. 17-20, 2006, with headquarters at the tribal casino west of New Town.

"Our oral stories are very important," Hall Dvorak said. "You read a lot about Sakakawea, but you also have oral stories that may not have been heard, and we want to be able to tell that side as well."

Hall Dvorak, who has offices in Bismarck and New Town, is setting up a seven-member advisory board to represent the tribes.

"It's not a one-man show … It's the tribe's signature event, and having an advisory board will give some guidance to my position," she said.

"Bismarck is going to be hosting their signature event here this fall, and they've raised about $1 million for their signature event. We're wanting to be able to do the same," Hall Dvorak said.

Bismarck's signature event is scheduled in October.

Hall Dvorak earlier was an instructor at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. She has a master's degree in management from the University of Mary.

She is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes and a graduate of Dickinson State University. Her brother, Tex Hall, is the tribal chairman.

Besides the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Sioux and the Nez Perce also are to be hosts of signature events, she said. Among her goals are education and tourism.

"I know Europe is just totally fascinated with Native Americans and the Mandans because they have lots of artifacts and artwork in Germany," she said.

Plans for the New Town signature event include a reproduction of earthlodges and a large powwow. Hall Dvorak said she hopes other tribes in North Dakota will get involved as well.

"We want the state to be involved, we want all the counties - anybody who wants to jump on board with us," Hall Dvorak said.

"We don't have enough motels right in New Town and at our casino," she said. "We're looking at all these other towns to be able to catapult on this signature event because we're looking at a lot of people coming in."