Chippewa Treaties

The history of the Chippewa, also known as the Ojibwe or Anishinaabe, is inextricably linked to a series of treaties negotiated with the United States government. These agreements, spanning from the late 18th century to the late 19th century, profoundly shaped the Chippewa’s land rights, sovereignty, and cultural survival. Examining these treaties offers a crucial lens through which to understand the complex relationship between the Chippewa people and the expanding American nation. This article provides an overview of these Chippewa Treaties, highlighting their significance and historical context.

Early Treaties: Establishing Boundaries and Alliances (1785-1818)

The earliest treaties involving the Chippewa were often conducted with multiple tribes, reflecting the intricate web of alliances and relationships that existed in the Great Lakes region. These treaties, primarily focused on establishing peace and defining territorial boundaries, laid the groundwork for future negotiations.

• Treaty With The Wyandot, Etc., 1785: This treaty, along with those of 1789 and 1795, aimed to secure peace following the American Revolutionary War. The Chippewa, along with the Wyandot and other tribes, were involved in defining boundaries and establishing a framework for peaceful coexistence. The focus was less on land cession and more on establishing lines of demarcation between tribal territories and the expanding United States.

• Treaty With The Wyandot, Etc., 1789: This treaty was a follow-up to the 1785 treaty and served to reinforce the peace agreements. It reiterated the boundaries and sought to maintain friendly relations between the tribes and the U.S. government.

• Treaty With The Wyandot, Etc., 1795: Also known as the Treaty of Greenville, this agreement was a significant attempt to establish a lasting peace after years of conflict. A large coalition of tribes, including the Chippewa, ceded territory in the Ohio Valley and agreed to a defined boundary line. This treaty represented an early instance of land cession, though its scope was more limited than later agreements.

• Treaty With The Wyandot, Etc., 1805: This treaty continued the pattern of land cessions, with the Chippewa and other tribes relinquishing further territory in present-day Ohio. The treaty reflects the increasing pressure from American settlers and the growing desire of the U.S. government to acquire land for expansion.

• Treaty With The Ottawa, Etc., 1807: This treaty, along with the treaty of 1816, involved the Ottawa, Chippewa, and other tribes. It concerned land in the Michigan Territory and continued the trend of ceding territory to the United States.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, Etc., 1808: Similar to previous agreements, this treaty focused on land cessions in the Great Lakes region. The specifics of the ceded lands and the considerations paid to the tribes involved varied, but the overarching theme remained consistent: the gradual transfer of indigenous lands to the United States.

• Treaty With The Wyandot, Etc., 1815: Following the War of 1812, this treaty aimed to reaffirm peace and restore pre-war boundaries. The Chippewa and other tribes were involved in re-establishing relations with the United States.

• Treaty With The Ottawa, Etc., 1816: This treaty involved land cessions in the Michigan Territory, with the Ottawa, Chippewa, and other tribes relinquishing further territory to the United States.

• Treaty With The Wyandot, Etc., 1817: This treaty continued the trend of land cessions, with the Chippewa and other tribes relinquishing further territory in present-day Ohio.

• Treaty With The Wyandot, Etc., 1818: This treaty involved further land cessions in the Great Lakes region, continuing the pattern of diminishing tribal lands.

Expanding Cessions and Defined Territories (1819-1847)

The period between 1819 and 1847 witnessed a significant increase in the number and scope of treaties with the Chippewa. These agreements often involved the cession of vast tracts of land in exchange for annuities, goods, and promises of assistance.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1819: This treaty marked a more explicit focus on land cession with the Chippewa specifically. It involved the relinquishment of significant territory in present-day Michigan.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1820: Another treaty focusing on land cession, this agreement further reduced the Chippewa’s territorial holdings in the Great Lakes region.

• Treaty With The Ottawa And Chippewa, 1820: This treaty, involving both the Ottawa and Chippewa, aimed to consolidate land claims and facilitate American settlement in the region.

• Treaty With The Ottawa, Etc., 1821: This treaty saw further land cessions from the Ottawa, Chippewa, and other tribes in the Great Lakes region.

• Treaty With The Sioux, Etc., 1825: This treaty was primarily aimed at establishing boundaries between various tribes, including the Chippewa and the Sioux. While not directly involving land cessions to the United States, it played a role in defining tribal territories and reducing intertribal conflict.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1826: This treaty focused on further land cessions in the Great Lakes region, continuing the trend of diminishing tribal lands.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, Etc., 1827: This treaty involved land cessions in present-day Wisconsin, further reducing the Chippewa’s territorial holdings.

• Treaty With The Winnebago, Etc, 1828: This treaty was primarily focused on establishing peace and defining boundaries between various tribes, including the Chippewa and the Winnebago.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, Etc., 1829: This treaty involved land cessions in present-day Wisconsin, further reducing the Chippewa’s territorial holdings.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, Etc., 1833: This treaty involved land cessions in present-day Illinois, marking a significant loss of territory for the Chippewa.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1836: This treaty, along with the treaty with the Ottawa, Etc., of the same year, involved the cession of a large portion of land in present-day Michigan. It marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the Chippewa and the United States.

• Treaty With The Ottawa, Etc., 1836: This treaty, along with the treaty with the Chippewa of the same year, involved the cession of a large portion of land in present-day Michigan. It marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the Chippewa and the United States.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1837: This treaty focused on land cessions in present-day Minnesota and Wisconsin, opening up vast areas for logging and settlement. There were three treaties signed in 1837.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1838: This treaty involved further land cessions in present-day Wisconsin, continuing the trend of diminishing tribal lands.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1839: This treaty involved further land cessions in present-day Wisconsin, continuing the trend of diminishing tribal lands.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1842: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, rich in mineral resources. The treaty allowed the Chippewa to retain certain hunting and fishing rights on the ceded territory.

• Treaty With The Potawatomi Nation, 1846: While primarily with the Potawatomi, this treaty also involved the Chippewa and addressed land claims and resettlement issues.

• Treaty With The Pillager Band Of Chippewa Indians, 1847: This treaty specifically targeted the Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians and involved land cessions in present-day Minnesota.

• Treaty With The Chippewa Of The Mississippi And Lake Superior, 1847: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Wisconsin and Minnesota, opening up vast areas for logging and settlement.

Later Treaties: Reservations and Assimilation (1854-1867)

The later treaties with the Chippewa focused increasingly on establishing reservations and promoting assimilation. The goal of the U.S. government shifted from simply acquiring land to controlling and managing the Chippewa population.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1854: This treaty established several reservations in present-day Wisconsin and Minnesota, providing the Chippewa with permanent homelands. It also included provisions for education and other forms of assistance.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, 1855: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Minnesota and the establishment of reservations for the Chippewa. It also included provisions for annuities and other forms of compensation.

• Treaty With The Ottawa And Chippewa, 1855: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Michigan and the establishment of reservations for the Ottawa and Chippewa. It also included provisions for annuities and other forms of compensation.

• Treaty With The Chippewa Of Saginaw, Etc., 1855: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Michigan and the establishment of reservations for the Chippewa of Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River.

• Treaty With The Chippewa Of Sault Ste. Marie, 1855: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Michigan and the establishment of a reservation for the Chippewa of Sault Ste. Marie.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, Etc., 1859: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Kansas and the relocation of the Chippewa to a reservation in that state.

• Treaty With The Chippewa Of The Mississippi And The Pillager And Lake Winnibigoshish Bands, 1863: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Minnesota and the consolidation of several Chippewa bands onto a single reservation.

• Treaty With The Chippewa–Red Lake And Pembina Bands, 1863: This treaty involved the cession of land in present-day Minnesota and the establishment of a reservation for the Red Lake and Pembina Bands of Chippewa. There was also a treaty in 1864.

• Treaty With The Chippewa, Mississippi, And Pillager And Lake Winnibigoshish Bands, 1864: This treaty involved further land cessions in present-day Minnesota and aimed to consolidate several Chippewa bands onto a single reservation.

• Treaty With The Chippewa Of Saginaw, Swan Creek, And Black River, 1864: This treaty involved further land cessions in present-day Michigan and aimed to consolidate the Chippewa of Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River onto a single reservation.

• Treaty With The Chippewa–Bois Forte Band, 1866: This treaty involved the establishment of a reservation for the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in present-day Minnesota.

• Treaty With The Chippewa Of The Mississippi, 1867: This treaty aimed to consolidate the Chippewa of the Mississippi onto a single reservation in present-day Minnesota.

The Legacy of Chippewa Treaties

The Chippewa Treaties represent a complex and often tragic chapter in the history of the United States and the Chippewa people. While these agreements resulted in the loss of vast amounts of land and the disruption of traditional ways of life, they also secured certain rights and protections for the Chippewa. These treaties continue to be relevant today, as they form the basis for tribal sovereignty, land claims, and resource management. Understanding the history and context of these Chippewa Treaties is essential for fostering a more just and equitable relationship between the United States government and the Chippewa Nation. The Chippewa Treaties serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring treaty obligations and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples.