Bois Forte Band of Chippewa

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The Zagaakwaandagowininiwag at a Glance

To understand the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, we must look at their deep connection to the northern forests and their resilience in reclaiming their ancestral lands.

• Tribe Name: Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Their traditional Anishinaabe name is Zagaakwaandagowininiwag, which translates to "Men of the Thick Fir Woods." (Bois Forte is French for "Strong Wood").

• Language Name: Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe).

• Language Tree: Algonquian. This is one of the largest and most widespread Indigenous language families in North America.

• Direct Relatives: The Bois Forte Band is part of the larger Anishinaabe nation. They are directly related to other Ojibwe/Chippewa bands across the Great Lakes region (such as Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, Leech Lake, White Earth, and Red Lake), as well as the Odawa and Potawatomi peoples.

• Enrollment: The tribe has a growing citizenship of over 3,500 enrolled members.

• Land Ownership: The tribe currently stewards over 136,000 acres. This includes a monumental 2022 acquisition of 28,089 acres of restored ancestral forest land—the largest land restoration for the tribe since 1866.

  
  

  Sources: Bois Forte Tribal Government (boisforte.com); Minnesota Indian Affairs Council; The Conservation Fund (2022 Land Return data).

  
  

Brief History

The history of the Bois Forte Band is a testament to survival and adaptation in the rugged, dense forests of extreme northern Minnesota. Following the spiritual prophecies of their ancestors, the Anishinaabe people migrated westward from the eastern seaboard to find the place where "food grows on water"—a prophecy fulfilled by the discovery of Manoomin (wild rice) in the Great Lakes region. For centuries, they thrived using a seasonal cycle of harvesting rice, tapping maple trees for syrup, and utilizing the region's birch bark for their waaginogan (dwellings) and expertly engineered canoes.

This harmonious existence was severely disrupted by the push for U.S. expansion. Through a series of treaties in the mid-1800s, the U.S. government targeted the region's rich timber and mineral resources. While the Treaty of 1854 promised them a large permanent homeland around Lake Vermilion, rumors of a gold rush quickly led to the Treaty of 1866, which dissolved the Vermilion reservation and moved the community to the Nett Lake region. Subsequent federal policies, like the General Allotment Act, further fractured their territory, selling vast tracts to private timber companies.

Today, the Bois Forte Band has fiercely reclaimed its sovereignty. By strategically developing enterprises under the Bois Forte Development Corporation (including the Fortune Bay Resort Casino), they have established profound economic growth. This success culminated in the historic 2022 purchase of over 28,000 acres of their ancestral forests, returning it to tribal stewardship.

To explore the full timeline and cultural programs of the Bois Forte people, visit: Boisforte.com/about/history

Ancient Echoes: Scientific Proof of Migration

While many tribes trace their origins to the specific lands they currently inhabit, the Ojibwe share a deeply detailed, multi-generational migration story.

Oral histories recount a massive journey from the East Coast (near the St. Lawrence River) into the Great Lakes, spurred by a spiritual vision of a Megis (cowrie) shell rising from the water. This narrative is strongly supported by historical and archaeological evidence. Linguistic tracking of the Algonquian language family shows a clear westward spread, and archaeological records confirm the distinct introduction of Manoomin (wild rice) harvesting cultures and specific birch bark technologies arriving in northern Minnesota centuries prior to European contact. The migration's sacred stopping points, such as Mooningwanekaaning (Madeline Island), are verified geographic sites that bridge ancient oral history with the physical record.

Sources: Bois Forte Heritage Center (Mural of Migration); Ojibwe oral histories.

The Treaties and the Historic "Land Back" Victory

The legal history of the Bois Forte Band is defined by a stark betrayal of treaty promises, followed by an incredible modern victory for the Land Back movement.

In the Treaty of 1854, the Bois Forte people ceded vast territories in northern Minnesota but were promised a large reservation at Lake Vermilion—the heart of their community. Just over a decade later, when false reports of gold circulated, non-Native settlers demanded the land. The U.S. government forced the Treaty of 1866, stripping the tribe of their Vermilion lands and establishing the Nett Lake reservation. Over the next century, federal allotment policies illegally auctioned off over half of their remaining reservation to timber companies like PotlatchDeltic.

However, in June 2022, the Bois Forte Band achieved historic justice. In partnership with The Conservation Fund and the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, they successfully purchased back 28,089 acres of their ancestral forests. This single transaction restored 21% of their reservation land base, righting a 150-year-old wrong and securing their forests for future generations.

Sources: U.S. Treaties of 1854 and 1866; The Conservation Fund (Bois Forte Land Acquisition).

The Spirit of the Zagaakwaandagowininiwag: Teachings and Origin

Anishinaabe culture is centered on living in balance with the natural world, heavily guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth.

The Origin of the Homeland: "The Food that Grows on Water"

The foundation of Bois Forte identity is Manoomin (wild rice). According to their teachings, the Creator instructed the people to migrate westward until they found the place where food grew upon the water. They eventually discovered the pristine wetlands of Nett Lake. Today, Nett Lake remains one of the largest and most sacred natural wild rice-producing bodies of water in the world. Manoomin is not just a food source; it is a sacred gift that sustains their physical bodies, their local economy, and their spiritual connection to the Creator.

[Free to use / edit or alter the visualization]

Tribal Lands

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa currently stewards a land base of approximately 136,781 acres in extreme northern Minnesota. Unlike many reservations, their lands are divided into three distinct geographic sectors, each playing a unique role.

1. The Nett Lake Sector

• Size: ~111,787 acres.

• Location: St. Louis and Koochiching counties.

• Geography: Over 50% of this sector is wetland, encompassing Nett Lake itself.

• Significance: This is the primary tribal headquarters and home to the majority of Band members. It is globally recognized for its massive, natural wild rice production.

  
  

2. The Lake Vermilion Sector

• Size: ~1,000 acres (re-established by an 1881 Executive Order after being lost in 1866).

• Location: Near Tower, MN, in St. Louis County.

  
  

• Significance: Historically the heart of the community. Today, it is the economic engine of the tribe, housing the Fortune Bay Resort Casino, The Wilderness Golf Course, and the tribe's cultural museum.

  
  

3. The Deer Creek Sector

• Size: ~22,927 acres.

• Location: Itasca County.

  
  

• Significance: A deeply forested area kept as a natural resource zone. Currently, no Band members reside in this district; it is strictly utilized for conservation, hunting, and gathering.

Summary of Current Land Holdings

Parcel Name	Approximate Size	Primary Use
Nett Lake	~111,787 Acres	Primary Housing, Tribal Government, Wild Rice Harvesting
Lake Vermilion	~1,000 Acres	Casino Resort, Golf Course, Museum, Cultural Tourism
Deer Creek	~22,927 Acres	Natural Resource Conservation, Hunting, Gathering

Sources: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council; Bureau of Indian Affairs; 2022 Bois Forte Land Restoration Data.

Learn More

🏛️ Museums & Cultural Centers

• Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum (Atisokanigamig - "Legend House"): Located in Tower, MN, on the grounds of the Fortune Bay Resort. This is the definitive resource for the tribe's history. It features the "Mural of Migration," a life-size birch bark Waaginogan, and a moving exhibit on the Lake Vermilion Indian Boarding School.

  
  

• Minnesota History Center (St. Paul, MN): Features expansive exhibits on the Ojibwe people of Minnesota, including historical treaties, beadwork, and pre-contact lifeways.

  
  

📚 Essential Books

• "Ojibwe in Minnesota" by Anton Treuer: An excellent, accessible overview of Ojibwe history, culture, and contemporary life within the state.

• "Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative" by Ignatia Broker: A beautifully written narrative following the life of an Ojibwe woman through displacement and the fierce preservation of traditional ways.

• "The Assassination of Hole in the Day" by Anton Treuer: Offers deep insight into the turbulent treaty era and the political struggles of the Ojibwe during the 1800s.

🎥 Documentaries & Videos

• "Waasa Inaabidaa - We Look In All Directions": A highly acclaimed, comprehensive PBS documentary series covering the history and culture of the Anishinaabe-Ojibwe people of the Great Lakes.

• Heritage Center Archives: The Bois Forte museum screens an exclusive, locally produced film featuring oral histories told directly by Bois Forte Elders.

  
  

🔗 Digital Resources & Links

• Boisforte.com: The official government website of the Bois Forte Band, featuring detailed historical archives, enrollment information, and community resources.

  
  

• Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC): Provides official tribal profiles and historical contexts for all recognized tribes in the state.

• The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF.org): A great resource for understanding the legal and financial mechanisms behind monumental "land back" acquisitions like the Bois Forte 2022 purchase.