Detail from the 1840 "Mother Map"

Joseph Nicollet's map, at this level of detail, will provide the environment for information about the First Nations people who lived on the Northern Plains at the time bracketing the time of the European arrival. Projects are underway with Native American elders and teachers to enrich the place and feature names with their proper pronunciations and explanations. As the scope of geographic coverage increases, this material will be added and expanded as well.