Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians

Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians (Ojibwe: Gichi-ziibiwininiwag) or simply the Mississippi Chippewa, are a historical Ojibwa Band inhabiting the headwaters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries in present-day Minnesota.

According to the 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 Saint Louis River. They 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:

• Cedar Lake, Minnesota Band
• Crow Wing, Minnesota Band
• Gull Lake, Minnesota Band
• Mille Lacs, Minnesota Band
• Pelican Lake, Minnesota Band
• Pokegama Lake, Minnesota Band
• Rabbit Lake, Minnesota Band
• Rice Lake, Minnesota Band
• Sandy Lake, Minnesota Band
• Snake River Band
• Swan River Band
• Trout Lake, Minnesota Band
• White Oak Point, Minnesota Band

and many villages associated with these sub-bands. Together, they controlled the main north-south trade corridor of the Mississippi River headwaters. Their traditional use area included the stretch of the Mississippi River between its confluence with the Leech Lake River and its confluence with the Crow Wing River—known in the Ojibwe language as Gichi-ziibi (Big River)—and including the Brainerd Lakes Area.

History and treaty making

Prairie du Chien Line, 1825 Minnesota

In 1825, with the First Treaty of Prairie du Chien, the United States drew the Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Line to separate the Ojibwe from the Dakota, believing the two were still at war with each other. The Ojibwe and the Dakota had ended their war for nearly a generation by that time and had only infrequent skirmishes. In 1830 the Indian Removal Act was signed by Andrew Jackson. [8] This act of Congress gave the president power to force Indian tribes to move to land west of the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi Chippewa, along with the Red Lake, Pillager and the Lake Superior bands, entered into the Treaty of St. Peters in 1837 with the US. They ceded to the United States what is now part of northern Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota.

In 1850, the US government changed the annuity distribution point from La Pointe, Wisconsin to Sandy Lake, in an effort to move the tribes further west. Four thousand Ojibwe of various bands showed up in early October at the designated site, but no government agents or supplies were there. After waiting for two months in deteriorating weather, 170 Ojibwe died. The government finally brought the supplies and annuities but, because of harsh weather at that time of year, another 230 Ojibwe died on their returns to their lands. This became known as the Sandy Lake tragedy.

Reservations of the Mississippi Chippewa in Minnesota

In 1855, because of 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 of most of northern Minnesota. In exchange, the United States promised three reservations for the Pillagers and six reservations for the Mississippi Chippewa. In addition, as in other treaties, the tribes retained the right for traditional harvest of off-reservation resources, such as fish and game. (This right faded from general knowledge as living conditions changed, until it was revived in the late 20th century as tribes worked to exercise traditional practices and rights; one example was the Wisconsin Walleye War of the late 1980s.)

The six reservations were the following:

• Gull Lake Indian Reservation
• Mille Lac Indians Reservation
• Pokegama Lake Indian Reservation
• Sandy Lake Indian Reservation
• Rabbit Lake Indian Reservation
• Rice Lake Indian Reservation

Due to confusing records kept by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Rice Lake Indian Reservation was never established. Confusion arose because several different lakes around Sandy Lake had names which, translated into English, all seemed to mean "Rice Lake." This led to confusion related to which map was consulted, and the issue of where the reservation was to be located was never resolved. It appeared the Rice Lake Indian Reservation was located in the following areas:

• fully within the boundaries of the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation on its north end, or
• adjacent to the Sandy Lake Indian Reservation on its south end; and
• at the southeastern corner on the eastern edge of Sandy Lake Indian Reservation, or
• on the southeastern corner on the southern edge of Sandy Lake Indian Reservation.

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.

Chippewa Chief Ne-Bah-Quah-Om (Big Dog) of the Pillager Band was in the group that went to the State Capitol.

Minnesota monument to Chief Mou-Zoo-Mau-Nee and his 700 plus Mille Lacs band warriors defending Fort Ripley during the Sioux outbreak. Dedicated 1914 at the Fort Ridgely because Fort Ripley was abandoned and unused by then.

In the Dakota War of 1862, waged against European-American settlers. When Chief Mou-Zoo-Mau-Nee (Iron-Walker) (Mille Lacs Indians) learned of the plans of Chief Bagone-giizhig (Hole-in-the-Day) (Gull Lake Band) to attack Fort Ripley, Mou-Zoo-Mau-Nee took 700-750 warriors to reinforce the garrison. They reached the fort before Chief Hole-in- the-day arrived, and are believed responsible for averting his attack. Both the Sandy Lake and Mille Lacs bands gained "non-removal" designations from the United States as a result. The Indian Agent at Fort Ripley gave the Mille Lacs a document stating they could remain on their reservation for 1000 years for their actions.

On 2 September 1862 two Fond Du Lac band Chiefs sent Lincoln a letter offering to fight the Sioux so Minnesotans could go fight the south. Had Lincoln accepted the offer it is unknown how the other bands of Chippewa would have responded, but the Mdewakanton were primary force at war the other Dacotah were leaving the state. Accepting their offer would have meant there would have been no trials and no executions. Lincoln saved hundreds of Mdewakanton women and children by not setting the Chippewa on the warpath for the U.S. This fact that is not mentioned in the Lincoln narrative in the presentism of today. The letter was published in St Paul on 13 September 1862, by the New York Times on the 14th, and by the Chicago Times on 16 September 1862. The Chicago Times Volume VIII No. 27 published the letter in entirety:

"His Excellency the Governor of Minnesota: Fond du Lac, St. Louis Reservation 2 September , 1862

We the undersigned Chiefs of the Chippewas of Lake Superior, do petition through you, to the President of the United States, the Great Father, as in hereinafter set forth: My Father we have heard and do hear every day and through the half breeds who are more enlightened than we are, that you are in trouble with your own people: and that they are very strong. We hear that one of your Red children has taken up the knife and tomahawk against you; that they have killed and murdered men, woman and children. That they have destroyed everything they could lay their hands on. They are blind and do not appreciate your great kindness. The Great Spirit looks down on that people with great vengeance. We raise the spirit of the Chippewa enemies to avenge the wrongs perpetrated on their white brethren.

My Father, you know he is our enemy, therefore we beg that you give us the chance to show that we are your friends and wish to serve you, to help you preserve the peace and tranquility among your children. We are willing to go and put down the evil spirit of my old enemy. Give us an opportunity to show you that we are loyal to the Great Father and his laws, and that we appreciate his kindness towards us. We think that our Great Father has enough to do down south for his solider: let him sen them down there, and send us to fight our red enemey. We are ready to go. We are willing to obey orders, and be lead by a white Captain, but on the battlefield we want our own Captains and fight in our own mode of fighting. Pay our expenses while we are gone. We also wish to raise our men our way, as we have been accustomed to raising men for a "war party." We also think that it would be just and right , if we should whip them that their annunities should be paid to those that would go fight.

My Father give us your consent, and we will get the Lake Superior Chippewas, with our half-breed children, to arise en masse to your help. Provide us with arms and ammunition, and we willing to go. My Father the, the door is open to me to help you, shut it not again in my face. We are willing to go. Our Fathers have driven them from this country, and if you had not come between us we would have chased them still further. Our young men are anxious to go show you that we are your friends. We know that we cannot do and drill like your soldiers, because we do not understand each other - our talk is different. We would offer you our services as well to fight your own people down there were it not for that, but send send us against our own color and we can fight. You will please answer and address Joseph Gurrol, Bayfield Wisconsin.

Naw-Gaw-Nub, Chief, Shin-Gwack, Chief

On Sept 14 The New York Times wrote that the Chippewa offer was published in St Paul the day before. It made the news in other papers as well.

On 3 October another Mille Lacs band Chief offered to go on the warpath against the Sioux just near St. Cloud, Minnesota. The post Commander at Fort Ripley extended State hospitality to the Chief and his warriors until a response was received.

Chiefs from 21 bands held a war council in front of the Minnesota State Capitol to offer to fight the Sioux the day before the Mdewakanton surrender at Camp Release and were told Lincoln was busy by Gov Ramsey.

During the winter of 1862 a group of Chippewa Chiefs went to Washington and Lincoln told the Mille Lacs Band they could stay on their reservation for a 1000 years for their actions during the Sioux uprising.

All other Mississippi Chippewa were forcibly removed from their reservations to the area surrounding the Leech Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish reservations. Due to strife between the removed Mississippi Chippewa and the Leech Lake Pillager and the Lake Winnibigoshish bands, the Mississippi Chippewa negotiated with the United States for resettlement. The Pokegama Lake Band, together with the few Removable Sandy Lake Band, negotiated to remain in the area and eventually formed the White Oak Point Band on the White Oak Point Reservation. In 1934 it 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.

With the signing of the 1867 Treaty of Washington, the remaining Mississippi Chippewa about Leech Lake agreed to resettlement to the west, creating the White Earth Reservation. In the 20th century, the bands combined to form the contemporary White Earth Band of Chippewa. Under pressure from the lumbermen and farm settlers who wanted native lands, the US government believed the White Earth Reservation was the answer to the "Chippewa Problem" and strongly pressured the Mille Lacs and the remaining Sandy Lake bands to relocate there. Many did, becoming the "Removable" peoples, while those who remained in their traditional territories in the central part of the state became the "Non-removable".In 1867 a treaty with the Chippewa of the Mississippi tribe and the United States government was signed. This treaty regulates the farming and logging land that the Indians received. [9] The author of this article Charles J. Kappler played a prominent role in the passing of this treaty along with bringing Indian law cases before the United States supreme court. [10]

Successors apparent

Because of the “Treaty with the Chippewa, 1855” [11] Indians from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Band of Chippewa still receive proportions today. Article 3 of the treaty states; “In consideration of, and in full compensation for, the cessions made by the said Mississippi, Pillager, and Lake Winnibigoshish bands of Chippewa Indians, in the first article of this agreement, the United States hereby agree and stipulate to pay, expend, and make provision for, the said bands of Indians, as follows, viz: For the Mississippi bands". Though the Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians no longer exists legally, the majority of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Band of Chippewa still identify as Mississippi Chippewa. Successors apparent of the Mississippi Chippewa are:

• Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
• Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
• White Earth Band of Ojibwe

Burial Mounds

Burial mounds of Indigenous people, including the Mississippi Band of Chippewa Indians have been a long tradition in their culture. Burial mounds are a sacred cemetery where their ancestors are buried. It is a place of respect, remembrance, and prayer. The article by Timothy Pauketat, “Dictionary of American History. . Encyclopedia.com. 28 Mar. 2022.” Encyclopedia.com explains how some Indian burial mounds have been discovered and accredited to being a burial mound [12] . One example of preserving a sacred mound is Grand Mound Historic Site located near International Falls, MN. [13] This site is one of 25 national Historic Landmarks in Minnesota. Kent Whitworth, MNHS director and CEO states, “The historical importance of this site cannot be understated, but we must protect it and provide education while also ensuring that Native people can care for the place where their ancestors lie.” Because of the significance of their importance to Native American people states have found it necessary to preserve them. The Effigy Mounds National Monument located in Iowa is an example of that [14].

References

• Warren, William W. History of the Ojibway People. Borealis Books (St. Paul, MN: 1984).
• Wedll, Joycelyn. Against the Tide of American History: The Story of Mille Lacs Anishinabe. Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (Cass Lake, MN: 1985).

External links

• "Ojibwe leaders represent their credentials to Washington in a picture" (birch bark picture, 1849, for renegotiation of 1842 treaty), Wisconsin History
• "Ojibwe honor 400 victims of 1850 Sandy Lake tragedy", Brainerd Dispatch, 2 December 2000
• "The Sandy Lake memorial monument takes shape 150 years after tragedy", Winter 2000