The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and rich cultural heritage of the Anishinaabeg people. This article delves into the multifaceted aspects of the Fond du Lac Band, exploring their history, culture, governance, economy, and contemporary life on the reservation. The information presented aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this vibrant Native American community.
The Anishinaabeg: "The People"
The people of the Fond du Lac Reservation are primarily members of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa, also known as Ojibwe. "Anishinaabeg," an Ojibwe word meaning "The People," encapsulates their deep connection to the land, their traditions, and their shared identity. The Lake Superior Band is one of the six bands that comprise the federally recognized Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. The Chippewa Nation, as a whole, represents the second-largest ethnic group of Indians in the United States, a testament to their historical presence and continued resilience.
The Circle of Life: A Guiding Principle
Central to the Anishinaabe worldview is the concept of the circle. This concept permeates their understanding of the natural world and their place within it. The Anishinaabeg recognize that everything in nature exists as part of a continuous cycle, from the smallest atom to the vast expanse of the universe.
Water serves as a powerful metaphor for this cyclical process. Rain falls, forming small pools that merge into larger bodies of water. These pools become streams, which flow into rivers, eventually reaching the sea. The sun’s heat evaporates the water, which then returns to the earth as rain or snow, completing the cycle. This constant repetition reinforces the Anishinaabe understanding that all elements of nature are interconnected and part of the larger circle of life.
This profound respect for the natural world is reflected in the Fond du Lac Band’s logo, which is enclosed within a circle. This circle symbolizes the interconnectedness of all things and the enduring cycle of life.
The War Shield: A Symbol of Resilience
While the circle represents harmony and continuity, it also embodies a history of struggle and resistance. Within the logo, the circle also forms a war shield, a potent symbol of the ongoing fight waged by the Anishinaabe ancestors. This fight began during their migration from "the moon-shaped island, in the freshwater river that flowed into the Great Salt Waters" to their present-day homeland, "the land where the food grows on top of the water." This migration was not without its challenges, and the war shield represents the determination and courage of the Anishinaabe people in defending their way of life.
The Inner Circle: Colors and Symbolism
The Fond du Lac Band logo features an inner circle divided into four equal sections, each representing a cardinal direction and a corresponding color:
- White (North): Represents the cleansing power of the winter snow, which brings strength and renewal to the earth.
- Red (East): Symbolizes the rising sun, a source of light, warmth, and new beginnings.
- Yellow (South): Represents the warmth of the sun that ripens the corn, a staple food source for the Anishinaabe people.
- Black (West): Symbolizes the direction towards which the spirit travels after death, representing the end of the earthly journey.
These colors also represent the four races of humanity, emphasizing the interconnectedness and shared humanity of all people.
The outer circle surrounding the inner circle is colored blue on top and green on the bottom. These colors are associated with the Mide’ wiwin, the Grand Medicine Society, a traditional spiritual and healing society within the Anishinaabe culture. Originally, the design envisioned a green border with a sky-blue background.
The Eagle Feathers: Prayers and Guidance
Four eagle feathers adorn the logo, each representing one of the four winds and the four directions. Eagle feathers hold deep spiritual significance in Indian Country, as the eagle is believed to carry prayers to the Creator. These feathers symbolize guidance, protection, and the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms.
Hair-ties: Mother Earth and Father Sky
The two hair-ties depicted in the logo represent Mother Earth and Father Sky, the fundamental forces that sustain life. The Anishinaabe people recognize that without the nurturing support of Mother Earth and the protective embrace of Father Sky, the world as they know it would not exist.
The Arrowhead: A Legacy of Conflict
Perched atop the inner circle is an arrowhead, a symbol of the hundred-year war fought by the Anishinaabe ancestors against the Dakota (Sioux) and their allies, the Fox, for control of the region "where food grows on top of the water." This area, known today as the Arrowhead Region, was prophesied as the destination of their journey.
The arrowhead is envisioned as a deep blood red, symbolizing the sacrifices and bloodshed endured by the Anishinaabe people during their migration. Within the arrowhead, the numeral "8" is visible, surrounded by flames. This symbolizes the Eighth Fire, a prophecy that speaks of renewal and the emergence of a new people from the ashes of the Seventh Fire. The meaning of the prophecy remains open to interpretation, but it speaks to the enduring hope for a brighter future.
The Reservation Map: A Sense of Place
Inside the arrowhead is a rough map of the Fond du Lac Band Reservation, with stars marking the locations of the three districts: Cloquet (District I), Sawyer (District II), and Brookston (District III). This map reinforces the sense of place and belonging that is central to the Anishinaabe identity.
Treaty of 1854 and Nah-gah-chi-wa-nong
The phrase "Established by the Treaty of 1854" acknowledges the legal foundation of the Fond du Lac Reservation. This treaty also established the Grand Portage and Bois Forte (Net Lake) Reservations in Minnesota. The 1854 Treaty served as a precedent for the establishment of many Chippewa Reservations in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Historical records indicate that the Fond du Lac Reservation was once referred to as Nah-gah-chi-wa-nong. In the Ojibwe Dictionary, the word Nagajiwanaag refers to the historic, old Fond du Lac, specifically the village area located beside the St. Louis River (Gitchie gami zibi), below the end of the Grand Portage, at the end of the Lake. This name highlights the deep connection between the people and their ancestral lands. The Fond du Lac Band name means "end of the lake" in French.
The Fond du Lac Band Flag
The Fond du Lac Band flag serves as a visual representation of the tribe’s identity and sovereignty. It incorporates many of the symbols and themes discussed above, solidifying the tribe’s history, culture, and aspirations.
Communities and Tribal Headquarters
The Fond du Lac Band Reservation is comprised of three districts: Cloquet, Sawyer, and Brookston. Cloquet serves as the location of the tribal headquarters. A new building was opened in Cloquet in 1997 to house tribal government offices, community sports facilities, and social activity spaces. Community centers are also located in Sawyer and Brookston, providing essential services and gathering spaces for residents.
Population and Language
The Anishinaabe language belongs to the Algonquin linguistic family, which includes Ottawa, Potawatomi, Fox, Cree, Menominee, and numerous other smaller tribes. The preservation and revitalization of the Ojibwe language remain a priority for the Fond du Lac Band.
Location and Geography
The Fond du Lac Reservation is situated in Carlton and St. Louis counties in Minnesota, adjacent to the City of Cloquet on the east and approximately 15 miles west of Duluth. The tribal headquarters are located in Cloquet, Minnesota.
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancestors of the present-day Chippewa have inhabited the Great Lakes region since at least 800 A.D. At one time, the Algonquin territory extended from the Atlantic Coast to the Rocky Mountains and from Hudson Bay south to the Cumberland River. Over time, control of this vast territory shifted to other groups of Indians, such as the Iroquois, and eventually to European colonizers.
Administrative Divisions and Governance
The Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee serves as the Tribal Governing body. The Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer are elected at large. Criminal and some civil jurisdiction on the reservation were transferred to the State of Minnesota under Federal Law (PL-280). Other civil jurisdiction remains with the Tribe.
In 1997, the Tribe engaged in negotiations with the Federal Government to assume control of BIA programs under the Self-Governance Law. Conservation codes are enforced for the reservation and the 1854 Treaty area by tribal game wardens and courts. The Tribe participates in the 1837 Treaty case and issues its own automobile license plates. The Fond du Lac Band negotiated the first general revenue bond issued to an Indian tribe for funds to expand their clinic. The Tribe also levies a license tax on major businesses located on the reservation.
The Tribe has invested in various enterprises, including the purchase of a resort on the reservation with plans to develop a tribal recreation area. The Tribe’s natural resource management division operates from a building located in Cloquet.
The Tribe’s human service and health clinic programs operate from the Min-No-Aya-Win Health Clinic, which underwent a major expansion in 1996. The health program is tribally-run, with services contracted from the Indian Health Service. The Tribe also operates a similar Indian health program in Duluth through the Center for American Indian Resources (CAIR).
The tribally-run Fond du Lac Group Home for juveniles is located between Duluth and Cloquet. Sawyer is home to Mash-Ka-Wisen, the nation’s first Indian-owned and operated residential, primary treatment facility for chemical dependency.
Economy
The Fond du Lac Tribe operates two casinos: the Fond du Luth Casino, built in cooperation with the City of Duluth on land originally not part of a reservation, and the Black Bear Casino, located at the junction of Highway 210 and Interstate Highway 35. The Black Bear Casino also features a 158-room hotel with various amenities. The Black Bear Casino and Hotel collectively make the Tribe the second-largest employer in Carlton County.
In addition to the casinos, the Tribe operates the Black Bear Golf Course, a propane company, a construction company, and a gas station/convenience store. The Tribe also provides a tribal transit system, a Head Start program, and a cultural museum.
Education
The reservation is divided among four Minnesota public school districts. The Tribe operates a Head Start program and the Ojibwe School, K-12, with transportation provided for Duluth students. The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, offering a unique blend of tribal and state education, features a 150-bed dormitory.
Further Reading
For those interested in learning more about the history and culture of the Ojibwe people, the following resources are recommended:
- Prophecies of the Seven Fires
- The History of the Ojibwe Nation by William Warren
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation continues to thrive as a vibrant community, preserving its cultural heritage while adapting to the challenges of the modern world. The Fond du Lac Band stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Anishinaabeg people.