This Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa timeline meticulously charts the history of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, spanning from the 14th century to the late 20th century. The timeline reveals a rich and dynamic story of migration, adaptation, resilience, and self-determination. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, initially part of the Eastern Woodland Indians, underwent a significant transformation in the early 1800s, embracing the Plains lifestyle and establishing a distinct identity in the heart of North America.
1300s: Ancestral Origins
Ojibway oral traditions, passed down through generations and deeply intertwined with their spiritual practices embodied in the Me-da-we (Midewiwin) religion, recount their origins near the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the shores adjacent to the Gulf of the St. Lawrence River. These narratives depict a unified Ojibway people who, over three centuries, evolved into distinct yet related Algonquian-speaking tribes: the Ottawa, the Pottawatomie, and the Ojibway. This period lays the foundation for the future migrations and cultural developments of these interconnected nations.
1500s: Separation and Migration
Following their divergence from the Ottawa and Pottawatomie, the Ojibway proper established a prominent village at the strategic location of Sault Ste. Marie, situated at the outlet of Lake Superior. This village became a central hub from which the Ojibway embarked on migrations in various directions, shaping their geographic distribution and interactions with other indigenous groups.
1608: The Emergence of the Métis
A significant event occurred with the arrival of Samuel de Champlain’s company in Quebec. The intermarriage between these French men and Cree and Ojibway women led to the emergence of the first Métis people, a population with a unique cultural heritage blending European and Indigenous traditions.
1610: First Contact
This year marks the documented initial contact between European traders and the Algonquian tribes, initiating a period of trade, exchange, and complex interactions that would profoundly impact the lives of the Indigenous peoples of North America.
1653: Conflict and Retreat
The Amikwa and Missisauga Ojibway united with their kin at Sault Ste. Marie to engage in warfare against an Iroquois war party. The Ojibway successfully defeated the Iroquois, but subsequently retreated temporarily along the southern shores of Lake Superior, indicating the ongoing conflicts and territorial dynamics of the era.
1662: Renewed Conflict and Victory
The united Ojibway bands once again encountered the Iroquois near Sault Ste. Marie, driving them from their territory. This victory solidified Ojibway control over the region and underscored their military prowess.
1679: Alliance and Expansion
A crucial alliance was forged between the Ojibway and the Dakota. The Dakota granted the Ojibway hunting rights on the eastern fringes of Dakota territory in exchange for goods and continued trade with the French. This arrangement, lasting for 50 years, facilitated the westward expansion of the Ojibway across northern Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Superior.
1693: Establishment of a Village and Trading Post
The Ojibway established a large village on Madeline Island, situated at the mouth of Chequamegon Bay. Concurrently, the French established a trading post, LaPointe, in the same area, solidifying the region’s importance for both Indigenous communities and European traders.
1700-1736: Acquisition of Firearms and Territorial Expansion
The Ojibway acquired firearms, significantly altering their hunting and warfare capabilities. The Missisauga Ojibway migrated to the area south and east of Lake Superior, spreading throughout what is now southern Ontario, between Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Between 1700 and 1736, the Ojibway established a firm foothold west of Lake Superior, expanding their territory and influence.
1780-1800: Emergence of the Plains Ojibway
During this period, a portion of the Ojibway began to separate from their Woodland counterparts, giving rise to the Plains Ojibway. This group, with a dialect similar to the Saulteur (or "Saulteaux"), also included Crees and some Ottawa, marking a blending of cultures and identities on the Great Plains.
1800: Transition to Plains Lifestyle
The Ojibway established themselves on the lower Red, Assiniboine, and Souris Rivers, fully embracing the Plains Indian lifestyle. This adaptation involved adopting new hunting techniques, utilizing resources unique to the plains environment, and developing social structures suited to a nomadic existence.
1801-1805: Settlement at Pembina
The Ojibway formed permanent settlements at Pembina, located in the Red River Valley. Alexander Henry’s trading post was also established at Pembina, further solidifying the region’s importance. This band became the nucleus of the Turtle Mountain or Pembina Band of Ojibway, also known as "Chippewa." The typical pattern involved the establishment of an Indigenous village, which subsequently became the center of a trader’s operations.
1803: Invention of the Red River Cart
The Chippewa are credited with inventing the Red River Cart, a two-wheeled cart considered a major transportation innovation. The cart played a crucial role in early transportation in the northern Dakota Territory, providing the first means of moving goods such as tents, dried buffalo meat, and hides. Long trains of over 100 Red River Carts were commonly seen and heard during hunting season.
1812: Participation in the War of 1812
The Chippewa actively participated in the War of 1812, aligning themselves with British forces against the United States. This involvement reflects the complex political alliances and conflicts of the era.
1815: Treaty of Peace
The Chippewa signed a treaty of peace with the U.S. government, marking the end of their involvement in the War of 1812 and establishing a formal relationship with the United States.
1818: Establishment of a Mission School and Church
Father Severe Dumoulin established the first mission school and church at the Pembina village, introducing Christianity and formal education to the community.
1823: Hudson Bay Company Withdrawal
The Hudson Bay Company closed its only remaining trading post at Pembina and withdrew north of the border, shifting the dynamics of trade and influence in the region.
1850: Mass Migration from Pembina
A mass migration from Pembina occurred due to severe floodwaters. The Chippewa relocated to St. Joseph, the site of the North West Company’s Hair Hills post, founded in 1801.
1856: Settlement at Pembina Mountains
Father Belcourt, a prominent missionary among the Pembina Chippewa, built a mill at Pembina Mountains, 30 miles up the Pembina River, at St. Joseph’s. By this time, the settlement consisted of 1,500 French-Canadian, Cree, Chippewa, and Assiniboine Métis. The present community of Belcourt, named after Father Belcourt, is the location and home of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
1861: Establishment of Dakota Territory
The Dakota Territory was established, and the federal government recognized the Red Lake and Pembina Chippewa claims to 10,000,000 acres in North Dakota.
1863: The Old Crossing Treaty
A treaty, known as the "Old Crossing Treaty," was concluded between the United States and the Red Lake and Pembina Bands of Chippewa at the old crossing of the Red Lake River. The Red Lake and Pembina Bands of Chippewa ceded a large tract of land, encompassing nearly all of the Red River Valley in Minnesota and Dakota, estimated to contain eleven million acres. Little Shell II and Mis-co-muk-quah (Red Bear) signed the 1863 treaty.
1864: Ratification of the Old Crossing Treaty
The Old Crossing Treaty with the Red Lake and Pembina Bands of Chippewa was ratified by the United States and signed by President Abraham Lincoln.
1870: The Manitoba Act
Canada purchased Rupert’s Land in Manitoba, an area with a high concentration of Canadian Métis. The Métis protested the method of surveying the land, believing it would destroy their land base and way of life. This protest was led by Louis Riel, who established a provisional government in Manitoba. The Manitoba Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada, providing land to be set aside for Métis claims to their ancestral lands and allowing the use of their native languages, English, and French.
1869-1870: St. Joseph’s as a Haven
St. Joseph’s was used by Louis Riel as a haven during the Métis resistance. The arrival of Scandinavian settlers led to the renaming of St. Joseph’s to "Walhalla."
1882: Little Shell’s Warning
Little Shell, residing at Wood Mountain, Manitoba, traveled to Turtle Mountain Reservation and called a meeting, warning white settlers not to settle on Turtle Mountain Chippewa lands because the treaty with the United States government had not been signed.
1884: St. Mary’s Indian Industrial School
St. Mary’s Indian Industrial School was built at Belcourt, financed by Sister Catherine Drexel and administered by sisters from Yankton, South Dakota. The school served as a boarding school for 116 girls and 73 boys.
1885: The Second Riel Rebellion
Following several battles, the second Riel rebellion was stopped at the Battle of Batoche. Louis Riel was hanged for treason at Regina, and his followers were released or escaped across the border and settled in Manitoba and North Dakota.
1892: The McCumber Agreement
A three-member commission was authorized to negotiate an agreement with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, known as the "McCumber Agreement." Through the McCumber Agreement, the Turtle Mountain Band lost their rights and title to 10,000,000 acres for a payment of 10 cents per acre. The Chippewa protested, and this "ten cent treaty" was amended and approved on April 21, 1904.
1901-1930: Leadership of Chief Kakenowash
Chief Kakenowash (Flying Eagle) served as chief of the Turtle Mountain Band, providing leadership and guidance during a period of significant change.
1916: Education and Healthcare Initiatives
The federal government agreed that the Indians would assume the responsibility for educating their own children, leading to the formation of two school districts, Couture and Ingebretson, which later became the Turtle Mountain Community School system. An old army barracks was moved to Belcourt and renovated into a hospital for the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
1918: Flu Epidemic
The Turtle Mountain community was severely impacted by a flu epidemic, resulting in the loss of entire families.
1932: Adoption of Constitution and Bylaws
The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa adopted a constitution, bylaws, and formed a self-governing tribal council, demonstrating their commitment to self-determination and tribal governance.
1948: Filing of Claim with the Indian Court of Claims
The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa filed a claim with the Indian Court of Claims for just payment for lands ceded to the government under the 1863 Treaty and the 1892 McCumber Agreement, seeking redress for historical injustices.
1972: Chartering of Turtle Mountain Community College
A local board of educators sought and received recognition to begin planning and operating a college on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. By Tribal Council Resolution, Turtle Mountain Community College was chartered, providing access to higher education for the community.
1980: Compensation for Lands
The U.S. Court of Claims awarded $47.3 million to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in compensation for lands taken under the "Ten Cent Treaty" (McCumber Agreement).
1984: Accreditation of Turtle Mountain Community College
Turtle Mountain Community College was granted full accreditation status by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, signifying its commitment to academic excellence.
1992: Separation of Powers
By referendum vote, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa approved a separation of powers of the tribal government, creating a judicial and executive branch of government, further strengthening their self-governance.
1993: Construction of a Casino
The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa constructed a casino as a result of an agreement between the state and the Tribes, made possible under the Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act.
1997: New Tribal Headquarters
Turtle Mountain tribal offices moved into new headquarters three miles west of the community of Belcourt, signifying a new era of growth and development for the tribe.
This Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa timeline illustrates the remarkable journey of a people who have faced numerous challenges, from migration and adaptation to treaty negotiations and cultural preservation. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa have consistently demonstrated resilience, determination, and a commitment to self-determination, ensuring the survival and prosperity of their community for generations to come.