Welch takes 35 Indian Friends to the 1940 Minneapolis Aquatennial

General Chairman of Aquatennial writes to Welch June 22nd 1940

Noel Van Tilburg letter of June 27^th acknowledging receipt of signed contract

Van Tilburg letter of July 1^st discussing village set-up

Van Tilburg sketch of July 1^st discussing village set-up, pg 2

Welch response of July 4^th to Van Tilburg letter of July 1st

Van Tilburg letter of July 16th advising on Beef and Payment

Welch directions to his Indian Travellers

Mato Watakpe (A. B. Welch) will head the company to Minneapolis. We will camp together in a city park. Food and transportation will be arranged for by Colonel Welch. WE WILL LEAVE MANDAN in our own special car on the 19th of July, at 4:15 in the afternoon (Mandan Time). The train from Cannon Ball will leave at 8:30 in the morning and will connect with our train at MANDAN. Tickets will be at the depot there. Ask for them. The train from Garrison leaves there at 1:45 in the afternoon and arrives in Bismarck in time to change baggage and depots to the N.P.Rwy. where our car will be attached to NO. 4 – leaving Bismarck at 4:25 (Central Time). All people from Standing Rock will come by the Cannon Ball train. Althose from Elbowoods Reservations will come by way of Garrison. Ask for tickets at the depot.

Bring your living tents, stoves and lanterns and your blankets. Hay and wood will be provided. Single persons will arrange with someone for a place to sleep and live at the campsite. So be friendly and double-up. This will be a good trip and we shall have a good time dancing, singing and other ceremonies. You will be allowed to sell beadwork for yourself. Col. Welch will tell you what to do.

The pay will be 1.50 for each grown person per day and 1.00 for each child. All persons must have a good Indian costume. We will have a beef to butcher when we get there and Mato Watakpe will issue all provisions in plenty. All persons will get to Cannon Ball or Garrison – from which point your fares will be paid. So start in time and do not miss the train. We shall have several Chiefs with us – One Bull, Two Bears, Drags Wolf – and Foolish Bear will be along too. We will meet many great people and see the rodeo led by Gene Autry with $5,000.00 in prize money. We will take part in parades, etc. We will have three old time tipis for Councils and a home. If you are selected to go – do not disappoint me.

Mato Watakpe – ho yo polo.