Hidatsa and Mandan Nation

Hidatsa -  Also known as the Minnetarees; in early history they were called the Gros Ventres.
(Capt. Lewis' Journal Entry: ... a Mr. Chaubonie, interpeter for the Gros Ventre nation came to see us... November 4th, 1804).
 French fur traders called them "Big Bellies", because of a Indian sign language gesture in the front of the abdomen, to indicate their custom of tattooing parallel stripes across the chest. 

Mandans - Living among the Hidatsa Nation.  Cultivated a variety of crops, including corn, beans, squash, sunflowers, and tobacco. 

October 31, 1804
"A second cheif arrived this morning with an invitation from the grand cheif of the Mandans to come to his village...Captain Clarke walked down to his village; he was seated with great ceremony on a robe by the side of the chief, who then threw over his shoulders another robe handsomely ornamented..."