History
In the early seventeenth century the first Native Americans began their journey into an unknown land full of opportunity. Starting on the East coast of the present day United States, the Ojibwe band, among many other Native American groups, traveled west in pursuit of land, resources, and as a means to escape during ensuing wars between various Native Americans groups. Throughout the mid-seventeenth century into the eighteenth century the Ojibwe gradually moved west, finally settling in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, covering more territory than most other Native American bands (Sultzman). According to the video “Gakina Awiiya, We are all Related,” those leading the way for the Ojibwe followed nine visions, the ninth was found in Minnesota and was a great number of Ojibwe's final home.. Because of their large population and great expanse of land they covered, the Ojibwe were a dominant, powerful force. Their nomadic lifestyle, moving around frequently in search of food and other resources, allowed them to never fully exploit the resources in any given area, although their handprint on the land was not completely non-existent. Unfortunately, as has happened with most indigenous peoples around the world, European settlers have gradually taken over most of the Native American land, displacing tribes like the Ojibwe and placing them on reservations (Sultzman). In the mid 1700s the Ojibwe settled around Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota, subsisting on fish, hunted deer, bear, moose, waterfowl, and items they gathered such as maple sugar and berries. They also cleared land along the way for crops such as corn and grew wild rice on the lakes. Co-existing with the environment, the Ojibwe were only alone for roughly one hundred years before European Settlers began their infiltration into the land. The settlers wanted to acquire land and resources from their newly discovered territory, and let nothing get in their way, even the original occupants. They quickly gained power over the Ojibwe by deeply entwining them into the fur trade, trading new items such as advanced tools, weapons, and beads for fur and meat from the Native Americans. Not only did this create a dependency on the Ojibwe to the Europeans but it created internal war between indigenous tribes competing for the new European items. Timeline of important dates in Ojibwe history: (all timeline, unless noted differently) from http://www.millelacsojibwe.org/ 1770-1804- Grand Portage (Minnesota) evolves into the western fur-trading headquarters of the British Empire in North America. British troops stationed here act as only military force in Minnesota during the American Revolution. Fur trading continues to be the main source of commerce in Minnesota through the early 19th century(Minnesota History: A Chronology) 1830- The Removal Act of 1830 established the first large number of reservations around Minnesota and neighboring states in attempts to assimilate Native Americans into “modern” society, and to allow the furthering of white settlements on their newly found land (Gill). 1805- First United States expedition through Minnesota lead by Lieutenant Montgomery (Minnesota History: A Chronology) 1812-1814 - War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain—The Native American bands Dakota, Winnebago, and Ojibwe allied with the US. 1826- First missionary schools came to Minnesota, attempting to “civilize” the Ojibwe children and other Native Americans by forcing them to abandon their traditional languages, religions, and cultures (Norrgard, Education).1837-1867- A series of treaties were signed with the Native Americans groups and the United States government which all resulting gave more land to the government, leaving the Native Americans with less rights to the land they had first occupied. They also established rules for hunting and fishing and placed many groups on reservations, taking them from their original homes. More information on these found here.1870- Mandatory boarding schools opened throughout Minnesota and the surrounding great lakes regions. Native American children were taken from their homes and placed in boarding schools far from their native homes in order for them to be assimilated into modern, American culture. These schools operated throughout the great lakes region from the 1870s to the 1930s. Not only did this destroy an important part of the native children’s traditional education but it removed and entire generation from Native American communities (Norrgard, Education). 1899- Minnesota's timber industry booms. Over the next thirty years the timber industry continued to log forested Minnesota, not paying attention to the desires of the Native Americans. By 1930- Only 1/3 of Minnesota remains forested. 1900s- Progressive reform groups formed throughout the United States, pressuring the government to give more rights to indigenous groups (Norrgard, Education).
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Photo found at http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/Buffalo/PB19.html
By Frank E. Schooner, http://www.tfaoi.com/newsmu/nmus135b.htm
Photo from: http://www.artsmia.org/surrounded-by-beauty/northeast/more_northeast.html
1924- Native Americans gain U.S. citizenship 1934- Indian Reorganization Act- The Ojibwe finally get recognition in the United States through this law which recognized the Ojibwe as an autonomous entity, able to employ self governance. The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe was formed as a joining force of all six Ojibwe bands. 1950s and 1960s- Government instates new relocation laws that in attempts to move more Native Americans to the cities in order to assimilate them more into modern society (Norrgard, Education). 1991- The Mille Lacs band opened Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley. The establishment of large casinos is one of the only ways Native Americans are able to support themselves today. This goes for most tribes in Minnesota as well as around the United States. Today- Tribal schools from elementary age to college have been opening across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, allowing Native American children the opportunity to gain a sound education while learning traditional tribal languages and cultural practices.
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