The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa holds a unique place in the history and governance of the Ojibwe people. While historically considered part of the larger Lake Superior Band of Chippewa, the Grand Portage Band notably did not participate in the treaties signed by that broader group. This distinction shaped their relationship with the U.S. government and influenced their path towards self-determination. A significant turning point came in 1934 when the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa joined forces with five other bands to form the federally recognized Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. This pivotal decision led to the drafting of a constitution and the establishment of a new tribal government in 1936, marking a new era of collective strength and governance.
The name "Grand Portage" itself is deeply rooted in the region’s geographical and historical significance. It refers to the arduous nine-mile portage required to navigate the cascading waters of the Pigeon River. This portage served as a crucial link, allowing passage to the inland lakes and rivers that led to the abundant fur-rich territories of northern Minnesota. The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa‘s connection to this vital trade route is forever etched in their identity.
Tribal Identity and Nomenclature
- Official Tribal Name: Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Traditional Name: Gichi-onigamiing
- Common Names: The tribe is known by various names, reflecting the diverse linguistic and historical influences on the Ojibwe people. These include: Chipewa, Chipawa, Anishinaabe, Anishinababe, Anishinabeg, Ojibway, Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, and Algonquin. These names often appear in historical documents and reflect different pronunciations and spellings used by various groups who interacted with the Ojibwe.
The term "Anishinaabe," meaning "original people," is particularly significant, as it represents a broader cultural and linguistic identity shared by the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. These groups, sometimes referred to as the Council of Three Fires Confederacy, share ancestral roots and cultural traditions.
Geographical Location and Reservation
The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is primarily located on the Grand Portage Reservation, nestled in the extreme northeastern corner of Minnesota, within Cook County. This location places them approximately 150 miles from Duluth, a major city in the region. The reservation’s borders are defined by Canada to the north, Lake Superior to the south and east, and the Grand Portage State Forest to the west, creating a unique and geographically significant territory.
The Grand Portage Reservation encompasses an area of approximately 74.396 square miles (192.686 square kilometers). The land features a combination of historic fur trade sites and the stunning natural beauty of the Northwoods Lake Superior shoreline. The reservation stretches about 18 miles along the lakeshore, extending inland from nine miles to a quarter of a mile.
The community of Grand Portage serves as the tribal headquarters and houses essential community facilities. These include the Trading Post, a Daycare Facility, and various other tribal businesses that contribute to the local economy. The Gitchi Onigaming Community Center, constructed in 1994, plays a central role in community life. It offers a wide range of recreational activities, including a swimming pool, as well as a senior center, a teen center, a computer room, a library, and powwow grounds. The center also provides vital services through its Head Start program. To support the health and safety of its members, the community maintains its own health clinic, ambulance service, and volunteer fire department.
Grand Marais, a city located 36 miles to the southwest, is the closest urban center, while Thunder Bay, Canada, lies 37 miles to the north, underscoring the band’s proximity to both U.S. and Canadian communities.
Historical Overview
The history of the Grand Portage area is inextricably linked to the fur trade. By the 1730s, the Ojibwe had migrated along the northern shore of Lake Superior and arrived at Grand Portage. French fur traders documented their activities at the portage as early as 1731. The British took over the fur trade in the 1760s, and by 1785-87, the North West Company had established a major trading post at Grand Portage.
During this period, approximately 150 Ojibwe families resided in the vicinity of the post, providing essential services and trade. They played a crucial role in the fur trade economy, supplying pelts, crafting and repairing canoes, and providing food supplies such as deer, moose, wild rice, and maple sugar.
In 1803, the British company relocated to Fort William, now known as Thunder Bay, Canada. However, the Ojibwe community at Grand Portage continued to work with the British in Canada. While the population in Northern America declined, the American Fur Company briefly operated a commercial fishing station at Grand Portage in the 1830s, utilizing Native labor. To this day, strong ties persist with the Ojibwe in Canada, as the international border often divides extended families.
Population and Enrollment
During the era of the British Northwest Company around 1783, approximately 150 native families lived at Grand Portage. In 1824, Schoolcraft reported a population of 60 people. The Ojibwe population as a whole was spread across numerous independent bands, making early estimates challenging. While some estimates suggested 35,000 Ojibwe in 1600, the actual number was likely two to three times greater. By 1764, the British estimated the Ojibwe population at 25,000 to 30,000. In 1843, American sources listed 30,000 Ojibwe in the United States alone.
The 1910 census, a low point for many tribes, recorded 21,000 Ojibwe in the United States and 25,000 in Canada, for a total of 46,000. By 1970, this number had increased to almost 90,000.
In July 2007, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe reported that the Grand Portage Band had 1,127 enrolled members. Collectively, there are approximately 130,000 Ojibwe in the United States and 60,000 in Canada. This total of 190,000 represents only enrolled Ojibwe and does not include Canadian Métis, many of whom have Ojibwe ancestry. Including the Métis, the Ojibwe would be the largest Native American group north of Mexico.
Government and Governance
The Grand Portage Band operates under a Tribal Council, which serves as the governing body. The council consists of one councilman and one councilwoman, along with executive officers. Elections are held every two years to fill half of the official positions. The executive officers include a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary/Treasurer.
In 1996, Grand Portage entered the Self-Governance Program, contracting to administer its own programs from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The State of Minnesota retains responsibility for criminal and some civil jurisdictions. The Tribe established its own court in September 1997 and collects its own sales tax, demonstrating its commitment to self-determination.
Working collaboratively with local residents, the State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Tribe established a Land Use Ordinance for the reservation, which was approved in 1996. This ordinance designates areas of land use according to tribal priorities, including wildlife habitat, timber production, and resource protection for recreational purposes. A primitive area had been set aside in an eastern portion of the reservation as early as 1956. The hunting and fishing rights of tribal members in the ceded lands of the 1854 Treaty are regulated under the Tribal Code and enforced by the 1854 Authority.
Language and Culture
The Ojibwe language, known as Anishinaabemowin or Ojibwemowin, is a vital aspect of the band’s cultural heritage. Ojibwemowin ranks as the fourth-most spoken Native language in North America (U.S. and Canada), following Navajo, Cree, and Inuktitut. Its historical significance is underscored by its role as a key trade language in the Great Lakes region and the northern Great Plains, facilitated by centuries of fur trading with the French.
Ojibwemowin is part of the Algic language family and is closely related to other Algonquian languages such as Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Cree, Fox, Menominee, Potawatomi, and Shawnee. It is frequently classified as a "Central Algonquian" language, although this is more of a geographical grouping than a strict linguistic classification.
The Chippewa dialect, also known as Southwestern Ojibwa, is spoken from upper Michigan westward to North Dakota in the United States. It is part of the Ojibwe dialect continuum, which includes Chippewa, Ottawa, Algonquin, and Oji-Cree.
Efforts to revitalize the Ojibwe language are underway in many communities, although fluent speakers, particularly among the younger generations, remain limited.
Economic Development
The Grand Portage Development Corporation, established in 1971, has played a significant role in fostering economic development on the reservation. The Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, which opened in 1975, is its most successful venture. This enterprise has provided a growing source of employment for band members and income for the Tribe.
The hotel, situated on the shore of Lake Superior off Highway 61, features 95 rooms, conference facilities, an indoor pool, and a gift shop. The reservation also boasts over 100 miles of hiking trails, a marina, and campgrounds, attracting tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
The casino, which opened in 1990 and expanded in the mid-1990s, draws approximately 80% of its customers from Canada and is the largest employer in Cook County. Around 18% of the employees are First Nation Ojibwe from the Thunder Bay, Ontario area.
In addition to tourism and gaming, some tribal members work as loggers and commercial fishermen. Off-reservation employment opportunities exist in Grand Marais and Thunder Bay, Canada.