History of the Tribe

MCT was created in order to form a united Chippewa Tribal organization whose purpose and function is to conserve and develop Tribal resources and common property that would promote the general welfare of its members and future generations. This required the Ojibwe Bands of Minnesota, and other Tribal Nations in Minnesota, to conform to the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) in 1934 in order to take advantage of the economic and social development programs proposed by the United States.

Pre-1800s

The Ojibwe/Chippewa people established rich cultural, social, and economic systems across the Great Lakes region, deeply connected to the land that sustained them for centuries.

1805-1855 – Treaties and Land Loss

Land Cessions and Broken Promises: A series of treaties, beginning with the 1837 treaty, were signed under intense pressure and manipulation by the U.S. government. These agreements forced the Chippewa to cede large portions of their land, often under the guise of “protection,” but ultimately served white settler expansion. Critical resources were removed from Indian control, and promises of assistance or reserved land were frequently delayed, inadequately provided, or outright ignored.

Late 1800s – Early 1900s – Federal Policies of Control and Dispossession

The Dawes Act of 1887: The U.S. government implemented the Dawes Act, which broke up communally held lands and imposed individual allotments on Native Americans, stripping the Chippewa of collective landholdings. This tactic deliberately eroded the social fabric of Native life, forcing Chippewa into a land system that often resulted in poverty and loss of identity. Remaining lands were opened up for white settlers, exploiting and diminishing Chippewa lands further.

1924 – The Indian Citizenship Act

The Indian Citizenship Act granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans, but it did little to protect Chippewa lands or rights. Many viewed it as a means for the government to control and monitor Native peoples rather than a genuine attempt at inclusion, as they were granted citizenship without self-determination.

1934 – Indian Reorganization Act (IRA)

This act provided some measure of relief by allowing tribes to reorganize for self-governance, but it was still a federal structure imposed on tribal nations. The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) adopted a constitution under the IRA, uniting the six bands and beginning the journey of rebuilding collective governance, although under conditions set by the U.S. government.

The original reservation allotments, beginning with the Daws act in 1887, had been approximately 140 million acres. By 1934, there were only 48 million acres left in Indian ownership.

1950s-1960s – Resistance to Termination Policies

During this era, the U.S. pursued termination policies to assimilate Native populations by ending federal recognition of tribes and cutting off resources. MCT leaders actively resisted these policies, advocating for treaty rights, resource protection, and the continued existence of the Tribe as a distinct political entity. These efforts underscored MCT’s resilience against government attempts to eliminate their identity and sovereignty.

1975 – Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

This landmark act allowed tribes like MCT to take control over federal funds for education, health, and social services. While empowering, it was born from the long history of Native advocacy against oppressive federal oversight and decades of broken promises for better resources and autonomy.

1980s-1990s – Reclaiming Culture and Economic Self-Sufficiency

MCT initiated programs to revive cultural practices and create economic opportunities as part of a broader movement to reclaim what was lost to assimilation policies. Language preservation, traditional arts, and land-based knowledge were focal points, empowering members to resist erasure. Economic initiatives provided pathways toward independence and self-sufficiency, lessening reliance on federal systems that historically failed them.

2000s – Present – Environmental and Natural Resource Protection

MCT developed strong environmental programs aimed at protecting the Tribe’s land, water, and air from degradation, reflecting Indigenous values of stewardship. These efforts have also countered ongoing environmental injustices in Native communities, ensuring sustainable use and protection of resources central to Chippewa heritage and survival.

Ongoing – Continued Advocacy and Community Development

Today, MCT actively advocates for its members, seeking equity in education, health, and economic resources. The Tribe remains resilient, addressing the harm of historical injustices by building self-sufficiency and reinforcing Chippewa identity, culture, and connection to the land for future generations.