Take a wild ride through the Upper Missouri River Basin to explore an era of high-stakes cross-cultural diplomacy, business development, and many levels of conflict. Especially relevant to those who teach US or Montana History, this program will add context and a sense of drama to the era, and is a tangible example of how Western Expansion played out in the Central/Eastern region. This narrative follows four pivotal men: Iron Shirt, a Piegan Blackfeet chief and trade diplomat; John Brazeau, a successful Black entrepreneur and legendary translator; Alexander Harvey, a corporate fur employee whose vengeful rage sparked international crises; and Four Bears, the Mandan statesman who shepherded his people through the catastrophic 1837 smallpox epidemic. Understanding the Mandan influence on Western trade is essential to recognizing the regional importance of this era. While many events center on Ft. Union, this story spans the plains of Central Montana. We will explore the critical role of “The Big Dry” in North American history—filling the gap between Lewis & Clark and the mining boom. This session shifts the focus away from the mountains to highlight the historical significance of the plains before and after colonization. Attendees will receive classroom-ready materials, along with supplemental resources for their own further reading.