Exploring MinnesotaExploring Minnesota

Chapter 4: The OjibweChapter 4: The Ojibwe

IntroductionIntroduction

The Dakota Sioux took control of the Gull Lake The Dakota Sioux took control of the Gull Lake area sometime in the early 1600s. Pushed the area sometime in the early 1600s. Pushed the Blackduck Indians northward into the Boundary Blackduck Indians northward into the Boundary Waters area. (Lund)Waters area. (Lund)

The Dakota knew that they were not alone in the The Dakota knew that they were not alone in the world sometimes trading with other Indians and world sometimes trading with other Indians and hearing about native nations from beyond the hearing about native nations from beyond the lands that they knew about.lands that they knew about.

One day they heard that another people had One day they heard that another people had settled at the eastern edge of their lands. settled at the eastern edge of their lands.

Introduction continuedIntroduction continued

In many ways, these people were much like In many ways, these people were much like the Dakota, living in forests and moving with the Dakota, living in forests and moving with the seasons, hunting games, harvesting wild the seasons, hunting games, harvesting wild rice and making sugar from maple sap. rice and making sugar from maple sap.

Also, different living in wigwams and using Also, different living in wigwams and using birchbark canoes instead of dugout ones. birchbark canoes instead of dugout ones. They also spoke a different language. They also spoke a different language.

Introduction continuedIntroduction continued

Ojibwe first moved to land near Sault St. Ojibwe first moved to land near Sault St. Marie waterfalls. Marie waterfalls.

Dakota called them Hahatonwan, or People Dakota called them Hahatonwan, or People of the Falls. of the Falls.

Some began to move closer to the Dakota Some began to move closer to the Dakota and battles began to break out as both and battles began to break out as both groups watched each other cautiously. groups watched each other cautiously.

A People on the MoveA People on the Move

The new neighbors called themselves The new neighbors called themselves Anisnaabe – The People.Anisnaabe – The People.

Unlike the Dakota, they had a history of Unlike the Dakota, they had a history of migration, which (like the Dakota) is told migration, which (like the Dakota) is told through Oral Tradition. See pg. 43-44.through Oral Tradition. See pg. 43-44.

A New Way of LifeA New Way of Life

In the 1600s, other Indians arriving in In the 1600s, other Indians arriving in Ojibwe lands in Wisconsin had new goods Ojibwe lands in Wisconsin had new goods the Ojibwe had never seen before (see pg. the Ojibwe had never seen before (see pg. 45). Also, brought news of strangers who 45). Also, brought news of strangers who traded them the goods for animal furs. traded them the goods for animal furs.

Many Ojibwe began to get sick. Many died. Many Ojibwe began to get sick. Many died.

A New Way of Life continued…A New Way of Life continued…

Despite this, the Ojibwe still prized the new Despite this, the Ojibwe still prized the new goods and began to devote more time to goods and began to devote more time to getting the furs – less time spent on getting the furs – less time spent on traditional activites.traditional activites.

After a few decades the fur bearing animals After a few decades the fur bearing animals became harder to find. (overhunting)? became harder to find. (overhunting)? They began to hunt farther west often in They began to hunt farther west often in Dakota lands, leading to conflict.Dakota lands, leading to conflict.

Conflict in the Great Lakes Fur Conflict in the Great Lakes Fur TradeTrade

The Ojibwe were not the only ones moving toward The Ojibwe were not the only ones moving toward Dakota lands. By the mid 1600s, the Great Lakes Dakota lands. By the mid 1600s, the Great Lakes region was the site of frequent skirmishes as region was the site of frequent skirmishes as almost every Indian nation in the region had almost every Indian nation in the region had formed an alliance with either the French or the formed an alliance with either the French or the British.British.

European allies would encourage fighting amongst European allies would encourage fighting amongst the Indians whenever they thought it would benefit the Indians whenever they thought it would benefit the fur trade, but when it threatened to cut off the fur trade, but when it threatened to cut off trade routes they would encourage peace. trade routes they would encourage peace.

War and Peace Between the Dakota War and Peace Between the Dakota and the Ojibweand the Ojibwe

By the 1670s the Dakota knew all about the By the 1670s the Dakota knew all about the French and the fur trade. Had already French and the fur trade. Had already pushed out the Huron and now turned their pushed out the Huron and now turned their attention to the Ojibwe. attention to the Ojibwe.

See page 47.See page 47.

Fighting continued throughout the 1670s. Fighting continued throughout the 1670s.

Ojibwe continued to push farther into Dakota Ojibwe continued to push farther into Dakota territory forcing the Sioux south and west onto territory forcing the Sioux south and west onto the prairies by 1739. (Lund)the prairies by 1739. (Lund)

Both groups grew tired of fighting and realized Both groups grew tired of fighting and realized that trade goods would no longer be available to that trade goods would no longer be available to them if they were constantly defending them if they were constantly defending themselves against an enemy instead of themselves against an enemy instead of collecting furs. (Lund) Finally made peace at a collecting furs. (Lund) Finally made peace at a gathering near Duluth. gathering near Duluth.

Meeting was important for all involved.Meeting was important for all involved.

Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du luth pushed for Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du luth pushed for peace as he knew that war threatened the fur peace as he knew that war threatened the fur supply. supply.

The Ojibwe got to trap farther west in Dakota The Ojibwe got to trap farther west in Dakota territory. territory.

The Dakota got access to French trading goods The Dakota got access to French trading goods – also from Ojibwe. – also from Ojibwe.

After 200 years as weary, warring neighbors, After 200 years as weary, warring neighbors, two groups were finally at peace. two groups were finally at peace.

Despite occasional clashes, peace held and Despite occasional clashes, peace held and groups coexisted and learned from one another.groups coexisted and learned from one another.

At this point, Europeans were only occasional At this point, Europeans were only occasional visitors to these lands, but that was about to visitors to these lands, but that was about to change. change.

Closer Look at Dakota and Ojibwe Closer Look at Dakota and Ojibwe CulturesCultures

Similarities –Similarities –– Both dependent on the woods, lakes, prairies and streams for Both dependent on the woods, lakes, prairies and streams for

survival. (Lund) trees, animal life, fish, fowl, berries, nuts, wild rice, survival. (Lund) trees, animal life, fish, fowl, berries, nuts, wild rice, stones for tools, clay soil for potterystones for tools, clay soil for pottery

– Both traded for metals after the coming of Europeans.Both traded for metals after the coming of Europeans.– TobaccoTobacco– Both loved paint and feathers, singing/dancing, games. Sioux Both loved paint and feathers, singing/dancing, games. Sioux

loved betting games. loved betting games. – Sugar and maple syrup.Sugar and maple syrup.– Both had roughly the same routines throughout the seasonal Both had roughly the same routines throughout the seasonal

changes. changes. – Religious – both believed in a Supreme Being or Great Spirit as Religious – both believed in a Supreme Being or Great Spirit as

well as lesser spirits – usually derived from nature.well as lesser spirits – usually derived from nature.– Both believed in polygamy.Both believed in polygamy.

Differences (Lund) Differences (Lund)

LanguageLanguage Physique – Sioux taller, athletic. Ojibwe Physique – Sioux taller, athletic. Ojibwe

shorter and stocky.shorter and stocky.

Gull Lake Village SitesGull Lake Village Sites

Inhabited area off an on for at least 4,000 Inhabited area off an on for at least 4,000 years so it is likely that there were village years so it is likely that there were village sites at some time on nearly all pieces of sites at some time on nearly all pieces of high and dry ground around the lake. But high and dry ground around the lake. But since the lake level has been raised nearly since the lake level has been raised nearly six feet by the Gull River Dam, we can six feet by the Gull River Dam, we can assume that most of these sites are now assume that most of these sites are now under water. We do know from journal under water. We do know from journal records that villages were located on:records that villages were located on:

Mission Point at the south end of the lake where Mission Point at the south end of the lake where Madden’s is presently located.Madden’s is presently located.

Gull Point (Squaw Point) including both sides of Gull Point (Squaw Point) including both sides of the point and both sides of the dam sitethe point and both sides of the dam site

The narrows between Gull and Round lakes, The narrows between Gull and Round lakes, including the area between the lakes and the east including the area between the lakes and the east shore between the narrows and the St. Colombia shore between the narrows and the St. Colombia Mission site (also Mission Point). Mission site (also Mission Point).

Dutchman’s Bluff, both on and below the bluff.Dutchman’s Bluff, both on and below the bluff. And just north of Sandy Point. And just north of Sandy Point.

Also artifacts have been found Also artifacts have been found suggesting village sites at:suggesting village sites at:

North end of upper Gull east of the bridge North end of upper Gull east of the bridge over Spring Creek.over Spring Creek.

Northeast end of Steamboat BayNortheast end of Steamboat Bay North end of the lake – SW of Schaefer’s North end of the lake – SW of Schaefer’s

Point.Point. North peninsula at the channel between Gull North peninsula at the channel between Gull

and Bass Lake and Bass Lake South of narrows of Upper Gull and the East South of narrows of Upper Gull and the East

side between Gull and Lost Lakes.side between Gull and Lost Lakes.