Tribal History

Past
The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin belong to the Ojibwa Nation and the Algonquian language family. It is believed that the Chippewa group migrated to the Wisconsin area during the 1600’s. Records indicate that the Ojibwa, once combined as one group with the Potawatomi and the Ottawa, derived from areas near the Atlantic seaboard. The Ojibwa migrated westward toward the Great Lakes and eventually settled near the shores of Lake Superior. Shortly after settlement, the Ojibwa ventured southward and established camps near the Upper St. Croix Valley and along the St. Croix River in what is known today as Wisconsin. The Ojibwa established this region as the “St. Croix District” and actively traded with the English until the establishment of the United States. The St. Croix District Ojibwa soon became known as the St. Croix River Indians. Between 1825 and 1854 the United States Government signed numerous treaties with the St. Croix Chippewa over land, hunting, fishing and gathering rights. The treaties resulted in the St. Croix Chippewa being removed from their land but the St. Croix never relinquished their rights to hunt, fish and gather. Refusing to share land with a neighboring tribe, The St. Croix Chippewa became known as the “lost tribe” and became squatters on their own homeland

The St. Croix remained in the river valley until 1934 when the Indian Reorganization Act was passed by the US Congress. The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin were granted rights and federal recognition to several small tracts of land. The St. Croix Chippewa became wards of the US government, afforded trust responsibility and tribal sovereignty. Today, the St. Croix Chippewa Reservation in Northwest Wisconsin is scattered in a “checkerboard” of nine separate distinct communities over a quad-county area: Sand Lake, Maple Plain, Round Lake, Gaslyn, Bashaw, Pike Lake, Clam Lake, Danbury and Balsam Lake. Tribal headquarters are located in Burnett County on the Sand Lake Reservation near the small village of Hertel, Wisconsin.

Present
The present day St. Croix Chippewa operate a successful government while retaining the language, traditions and cultural ways of their ancestors. Under the leaderships of an elected body called the Tribal Council, the St. Croix Chippewa have entered the 21st century as a strong nation flourishing economically, professionally and culturally. The St. Croix Chippewa’s resilience to provide for its people has created outstanding educational and job opportunities for tribal members. The St. Croix Tribal operates government offices, three casinos and eight small businesses, making the St. Croix Chippewa one of the largest employers in the area. The St. Croix Casino and Hotel in Turtle Lake employs over 1,000 people and the Hole In The Wall Casino and Hotel in Danbury employees over 200 people. The St. Croix also operates The Little Turtle Hertel Express, a small-scaled casino combined with a convenience store, gas station and café. The St. Croix Chippewa has also invested in developing small non-gaming related businesses.

The tribe owns and operates Chippewa Check Services, Emerald Systems, Inc, Fourwinds Market, Many Nations Recovery Home, St. Croix Chippewa Embroidery, SCT Travel, St. Croix Chippewa Construction and St. Croix Waters Fishery. In addition to the many businesses operated by the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the tribe also employs many members at the tribe’s main offices. The St. Croix Tribal Center employees work in a variety of buildings including a Health Center, Tribal Police Station, Family Resources Center, Housing Authority, Youth Activity Center, Child Welfare Offices and Environmental Offices. With recent economic surges, the St. Croix Chippewa has been able to expand and improve all tribal communities with new housing, paved roads, community centers, youth activity, expanded social programs, water and environmental quality control programs and special programs and events for elders. Cultural and traditional teachings are an equally important aspect to the tribe as its economic endeavors. Tribal members are given the opportunity to advance through both cultural and traditional teachings as well as secondary education.

Cultural Events
The St. Croix Chippewa host four summer youth camps specifically designed for the teachings of Native American traditions and culture. The camp has been operating for over fifteen years and features health, environment, agriculture and cultural programs. The camp emphasizes teachings on the Ojibwa language and spiritual teachings. The Wild Rice Pow-wow, in celebration of the annual wild rice harvest, is held at the Hole In The Wall Casino in Danbury, Wisconsin at the “Zaa’ Maadj” Arena. In recent years the pow-wow has been restored to its original status of a “traditional” pow-wow.

The annual event brings hundreds of dancers and singers from all over the Midwest and Canada. The pow-wow features arts & crafts and traditional Native American food. The annual St. Croix Casino Pow-wow has become a popular event for dancers and singers throughout the nation. The pow-wow is held near the Turtle Lake Casino & Hotel at Ma’Koode Arena in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. The event features the nation’s best dancers and singers competing for prizes, along with arts, crafts and traditional foods.

*Information provided from The Land of the Ojibwe, by the Ojibwe Cirriculum Committee, American Indian Studies Department at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Historical Society