Important Treaties for Ojibwe Indians in Wisconsin

What is a treaty? an agreement between two nations an agreement between two nations Who were the two nations? The United States government and Indians living in Wisconsin The United States government and Indians living in Wisconsin

Prairie du Chien Treaty of 1825

Settlers might be afraid to come to Wisconsin if tribes in Wisconsin were always fighting each other. Settlers might be afraid to come to Wisconsin if tribes in Wisconsin were always fighting each other. This treaty set the boundaries for the tribes living in Wisconsin today to bring about peace. This treaty set the boundaries for the tribes living in Wisconsin today to bring about peace. The US hoped to gain Indian land in the future. The US hoped to gain Indian land in the future.

Wisconsin Territory…on the way to becoming a state.

The First Territorial Governor Henry Dodge, the first territorial governor of Wisconsin Henry Dodge, the first territorial governor of Wisconsin

What did Dodge do? He saw the value in all of the white pine trees that could be used for lumber. He saw the value in all of the white pine trees that could be used for lumber.

The 1837 Pine Tree Treaty The government wanted to start lumbering in the big pine forests. The government wanted to start lumbering in the big pine forests. The Chippewa or Ojibwe Indians ceded their land and we began lumbering. The Chippewa or Ojibwe Indians ceded their land and we began lumbering. The Ojibwe Indians could still hunt and fish in their traditional lifestyle. The Ojibwe Indians could still hunt and fish in their traditional lifestyle.

What does ceded mean? Cede means to give up Cede means to give up The Ojibwe gave up their land and the US government paid them money and supplies for it. The Ojibwe gave up their land and the US government paid them money and supplies for it.

A New Land Cession: The 1842 Copper Treaty Copper deposits were reported along the shores of Lake Superior and northern boundary of Wisconsin. Copper deposits were reported along the shores of Lake Superior and northern boundary of Wisconsin. Indians ceded the land and mining of copper boomed in this area. Indians ceded the land and mining of copper boomed in this area.

Problems with these treaties: Indians thought they were just letting us use the land and what was in it; they didn’t think they were selling the actual land. Indians thought they were just letting us use the land and what was in it; they didn’t think they were selling the actual land. Indians thought that their children and grandchildren would have a home in the future. Indians thought that their children and grandchildren would have a home in the future. The United States didn’t keep their promise – the Ojibwe Indians of Wisconsin were “removed” to Sandy Lake, Minnesota. The United States didn’t keep their promise – the Ojibwe Indians of Wisconsin were “removed” to Sandy Lake, Minnesota.

In order to receive their payment for the land they had to travel to Sandy Lake. When they got arrived, the money was not there. Of the 400 Ojibwe who traveled, 170 died from hunger, disease and the cold.

A Voice for the Ojibwe Chief Buffalo traveled to Washington, D.C. to persuade President Fillmore to stop the removal order. He explained to the president that the Ojibwe believed they were letting the US use the copper and trees on the land, they never ceded (or gave up) the land itself. President Fillmore stopped the “removal order.” Chief Buffalo traveled to Washington, D.C. to persuade President Fillmore to stop the removal order. He explained to the president that the Ojibwe believed they were letting the US use the copper and trees on the land, they never ceded (or gave up) the land itself. President Fillmore stopped the “removal order.”

Treaty of 1854 Ojibwe leaders met with U.S. leaders to insist they have reservations (land set aside) in Wisconsin. Ojibwe leaders met with U.S. leaders to insist they have reservations (land set aside) in Wisconsin. They also wanted to be able to hunt, fish, and gather on the land they had agreed to give up. They also wanted to be able to hunt, fish, and gather on the land they had agreed to give up. Four Ojibwe reservations were created in Wisconsin… Four Ojibwe reservations were created in Wisconsin…

How have the land holdings changed for the Ojibwe? Lac Court Oreilles Lac du Flambeau Red Cliff Bad River

Two More Bands Get Reservations: St. Croix Mole Lake

Do Ojibwe Indians live in Wisconsin today? Yes! Many bands try to continue hunting and gathering the traditional way… Yes! Many bands try to continue hunting and gathering the traditional way… Gathering wild rice Gathering wild rice

Fishing Spearing walleye Spearing walleye Restocking lakes with sturgeon and walleye Restocking lakes with sturgeon and walleye

They are trying to preserve their culture and language for the future… Cultural horizons CD-rom clips from each of the reservations. Shows wild ricing, language schools, tribal schools, bison reintroduction in southern Wisconsin, etc. Cultural horizons CD-rom clips from each of the reservations. Shows wild ricing, language schools, tribal schools, bison reintroduction in southern Wisconsin, etc.