Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians
Encyclopedia
Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians (Anishinaabe: Gichi-ziibiwininiwag) or simply the Mississippi Chippewa, are a historical Ojibwa
Band inhabiting the head-waters of the Mississippi River
and its tributaries.
According to oral history of the Mississippi Chippewa, they were primarily of the southern branch of Ojibwe who spread from the "Fifth Stopping Place" of Baawiting (Sault Ste. Marie
region) along Lake Superior
's southern shores until arriving at the "Sixth Stopping Place" of the St. Louis River
, and then continued westward across the Savanna Portage
, and spread both northward and southward along the Mississippi River
and its major tributaries.
Before entering the treaty process with the United States
, the Mississippi Chippewa consisted of the following sub-bands:
and many villages associated with these sub-bands. Together, they controlled the main north-south trade corridor of the Mississippi River headwaters.
In 1825, with the Treaty of Prairie du Chien
, United States
drew the Prairie du Chien Line to separate the Ojibwe from the Dakota
, believing the two were still fiercely at war with each other, though the Ojibwe and the Dakota had ended their war for nearly a generation and only experienced infrequent skirmishes.
The Mississippi Chippewa, along with the Red Lake Band, Pillager Band and the Lake Superior Band, entered into the Treaty of St. Peters
in 1837, ceding to the United States
what now is part of northern Wisconsin
and east-central Minnesota
.
In 1850, the annuity distribution was changed from La Pointe, Wisconsin
to Sandy Lake
, causing mass death
of the Ojibwa
camped there with poor or inadequate provisions.
In 1855, fueled by the tragedy at Sandy Lake
, the Mississippi Chippewa, along with the Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians
, agreed upon the Treaty of Washington for the land cession in most of northern Minnesota
. In exchange, three reservations were promised for the Pillagers and six reservations were promised for the Mississippi Chippewa. The six reservations being:
However, due to confusing records kept by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
, the Rice Lake Indian Reservation was never established. At the heart of the issue was several different lakes about Sandy Lake, when translated into English, were all named "Rice Lake." Depending on which map was cited, Rice Lake Indian Reservation was either located fully within the boundaries of the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation on its north end, or was adjacent to the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation on its south end; and depending on the map showing the Rice Lake Indian Reservation adjacent to the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation, some showed the Rice Lake Indian Reservation to the southeastern corner on the eastern edge of Sandy Lake Indian Reservation, yet on other maps showed the Rice Lake Indian Reservation on the southeastern corner on the southern edge of Sandy Lake Indian Reservation. However, the Rice Lake Band claimed these representations were all incorrect and the proper location of the agreed Rice Lake Indian Reservation was much farther south.
With the Dakota War of 1862
, many Chippewa Bands aided the Dakota people. Sandy Lake Band
remained fully neutral with this conflict. However, when Mille Lacs Indians
Chief Máza-mani (Iron-Walker) learned of the plans of Gull Lake Band Chief Bagone-giizhig (Hole-in-the-Day) to attack Fort Ripley, Chief Máza-mani raised a party of 200 men and they set out to aid the Fort in advance of Chief Bagone-giizhig, thus adverting Chief Bagone-giizhigs attack onto the Fort. Both Sandy Lake and Mille Lacs Bands gained protection from the United States, while all other Mississippi Chippewa were forcibly removed off their reservations to the area surrounding the Leech Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish Indian Reservations.
Due to strife between the removed Mississippi Chippewa with the Leech Lake Pillager Band and the Lake Winnibigoshish Band, the Mississippi Chippewa again negotiated with the United States
for resettlement. The Lake Pokegama Band negotiated to remain in the area and eventually formed the White Oak Point Reservation which in 1934 merged with the Cass Lake, Chippewa, Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech Lake Indian Reservations to form the contemporary Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
and its reservation. The remaining Mississippi Chippewa agreed to resettlement to the west, forming the contemporary White Earth Band of Chippewa. The United States
, under the pressures from lumbermen and farm settlers, saw the White Earth Reservation as the answer to the "Chippewa Problem" and strongly pressured the Mille Lacs and Sandy Lake Bands to relocate there. Many did, becoming the "Removable" while those who remained became the "Non-removable".
Though the Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians no longer exists today, majority of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
and White Earth Band of Chippewa still identify themselves as a Mississippi Chippewa. Successors apparent of the Mississippi Chippewa are:
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
Band inhabiting the head-waters of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and its tributaries.
According to oral history of the Mississippi Chippewa, they were primarily of the southern branch of Ojibwe who spread from the "Fifth Stopping Place" of Baawiting (Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie may refer to:* Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario , a Canadian city** Sault Ste. Marie , a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada...
region) along Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
's southern shores until arriving at the "Sixth Stopping Place" of the St. Louis River
Saint Louis River
The St. Louis River is a river in the U.S. states of Minnesota and Wisconsin that flows into Lake Superior. The largest U.S. river to flow into the lake, it is 179 miles in length and starts near Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. The river's watershed is in area...
, and then continued westward across the Savanna Portage
Savanna Portage State Park
Savanna Portage State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, established in 1961 to preserve the historic Savanna Portage, a difficult trail connecting the watersheds of the Mississippi River and Lake Superior...
, and spread both northward and southward along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and its major tributaries.
Before entering the treaty process with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the Mississippi Chippewa consisted of the following sub-bands:
- Crow Wing Band
- Gull Lake Band
- Mille Lacs Band
- Pelican Lake Band
- Pokegama Lake Band
- Rabbit Lake Band
- Rice Lake Band
- Sandy Lake Band
- Snake River Band
- Swan River Band
- Trout Lake
- White Oak Point Band
and many villages associated with these sub-bands. Together, they controlled the main north-south trade corridor of the Mississippi River headwaters.
In 1825, with the Treaty of Prairie du Chien
Treaty of Prairie du Chien
The Treaty of Prairie du Chien may refer to any of several treaties made and signed in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin between the United States, representatives from the Sioux, Sac and Fox, Menominee, Ioway, Winnebago and the Anishinaabeg Native American peoples.-1825:The first treaty of Prairie du...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
drew the Prairie du Chien Line to separate the Ojibwe from the Dakota
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
, believing the two were still fiercely at war with each other, though the Ojibwe and the Dakota had ended their war for nearly a generation and only experienced infrequent skirmishes.
The Mississippi Chippewa, along with the Red Lake Band, Pillager Band and the Lake Superior Band, entered into the Treaty of St. Peters
Treaty of St. Peters
Treaty of St. Peters may be one of two treaties conducted between the United States and Native American peoples, conducted at the confluence of the Minnesota River with the Mississippi River, in what today is Mendota, Minnesota....
in 1837, ceding to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
what now is part of northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and east-central Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
In 1850, the annuity distribution was changed from La Pointe, Wisconsin
La Pointe, Wisconsin
La Pointe is a town in Ashland County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The town includes all of the Apostle Islands. There is also an unincorporated community named La Pointe on Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands . The population was 246 at the 2000 census...
to Sandy Lake
Sandy Lake, Minnesota
Sandy Lake is an unincorporated Native American village located in Turner Township, Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States. Its name in the Ojibwe language is Gaa-mitaawangaagamaag, meaning "Place of the Sandy-shored Lake"...
, causing mass death
Sandy Lake Tragedy
The Sandy Lake Tragedy was the culmination of a series of events centered in Sandy Lake, Minnesota, that resulted in the deaths in 1850 of several hundred Lake Superior Chippewa. Officials of the Zachary Taylor Administration and Minnesota Territory sought to relocate several bands of the tribe to...
of the Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
camped there with poor or inadequate provisions.
Sandy Lake Tragedy
The Sandy Lake Tragedy was the culmination of a series of events centered in Sandy Lake, Minnesota, that resulted in the deaths in 1850 of several hundred Lake Superior Chippewa. Officials of the Zachary Taylor Administration and Minnesota Territory sought to relocate several bands of the tribe to...
, the Mississippi Chippewa, along with the Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians
Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians
Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians are a historical band of Chippewa , originally living at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Their name "Pillagers" is a translation of Makandwewininiwag, which literally means "Pillaging Men"...
, agreed upon the Treaty of Washington for the land cession in most of northern Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. In exchange, three reservations were promised for the Pillagers and six reservations were promised for the Mississippi Chippewa. The six reservations being:
- Gull Lake Indian Reservation
- Mille Lac Indians Reservation
- Pokegama Lake Indian Reservation
- Sandy Lake Indian Reservation
- Rabbit Lake Indian Reservation
- Rice Lake Indian Reservation
However, due to confusing records kept by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
, the Rice Lake Indian Reservation was never established. At the heart of the issue was several different lakes about Sandy Lake, when translated into English, were all named "Rice Lake." Depending on which map was cited, Rice Lake Indian Reservation was either located fully within the boundaries of the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation on its north end, or was adjacent to the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation on its south end; and depending on the map showing the Rice Lake Indian Reservation adjacent to the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation, some showed the Rice Lake Indian Reservation to the southeastern corner on the eastern edge of Sandy Lake Indian Reservation, yet on other maps showed the Rice Lake Indian Reservation on the southeastern corner on the southern edge of Sandy Lake Indian Reservation. However, the Rice Lake Band claimed these representations were all incorrect and the proper location of the agreed Rice Lake Indian Reservation was much farther south.
With the Dakota War of 1862
Dakota War of 1862
The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, was an armed conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Sioux. It began on August 17, 1862, along the Minnesota River in southwest Minnesota...
, many Chippewa Bands aided the Dakota people. Sandy Lake Band
Sandy Lake Band of Mississippi Chippewa
Sandy Lake Band of Mississippi Chippewa are a historical Ojibwa tribe located in the upper Mississippi River basin, on and around Big Sandy Lake in what today is in Aitkin County, Minnesota...
remained fully neutral with this conflict. However, when Mille Lacs Indians
Mille Lacs Indians
The Mille Lacs Indians are a Band of Indians formed from the unification of the Mille Lacs Band of Mississippi Chippewa with the Mille Lacs Band of Mdewakanton Sioux...
Chief Máza-mani (Iron-Walker) learned of the plans of Gull Lake Band Chief Bagone-giizhig (Hole-in-the-Day) to attack Fort Ripley, Chief Máza-mani raised a party of 200 men and they set out to aid the Fort in advance of Chief Bagone-giizhig, thus adverting Chief Bagone-giizhigs attack onto the Fort. Both Sandy Lake and Mille Lacs Bands gained protection from the United States, while all other Mississippi Chippewa were forcibly removed off their reservations to the area surrounding the Leech Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish Indian Reservations.
Due to strife between the removed Mississippi Chippewa with the Leech Lake Pillager Band and the Lake Winnibigoshish Band, the Mississippi Chippewa again negotiated with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for resettlement. The Lake Pokegama Band negotiated to remain in the area and eventually formed the White Oak Point Reservation which in 1934 merged with the Cass Lake, Chippewa, Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech Lake Indian Reservations to form the contemporary Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, also known as the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians or the Leech Lake Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and as Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag Ojibweg in the Ojibwe language, is an Ojibwa tribe located in Minnesota. The tribe boasts 8,861 tribal members as of July, 2007...
and its reservation. The remaining Mississippi Chippewa agreed to resettlement to the west, forming the contemporary White Earth Band of Chippewa. The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, under the pressures from lumbermen and farm settlers, saw the White Earth Reservation as the answer to the "Chippewa Problem" and strongly pressured the Mille Lacs and Sandy Lake Bands to relocate there. Many did, becoming the "Removable" while those who remained became the "Non-removable".
Though the Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians no longer exists today, majority of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe , also known as the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians or the Mille Lacs Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, is an Ojibwa tribe located in Minnesota. The tribe boasts 3,942 tribal members as of July, 2007...
and White Earth Band of Chippewa still identify themselves as a Mississippi Chippewa. Successors apparent of the Mississippi Chippewa are:
- Leech Lake Band of OjibweLeech Lake Indian ReservationThe Leech Lake Indian Reservation or Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag in the Ojibwe language, is an Native American reservation located in the north-central Minnesota counties of Cass, Itasca, Beltrami, and Hubbard. It is the land-base for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe...
- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
- White Earth Band of Chippewa