All Indian tribes have names for themselves. The largest Indian group in Minnesota calls itself Anishinaabe, which means "the original people." Europeans named them Ojibwe. No one is exactly sure how this name developed. Perhaps it came from the Anishinaabe word "ojib," which describes the puckered moccasins worn by the people. Some Europeans had trouble saying Ojibwe, pronouncing it instead as Chippewa. But both these names refer to the same people. In Canada, the Anishinaabe call themselves Ojibwe. In the United States, many tribal members prefer the name Chippewa. So that is the name we will use in this history of White Earth Reservation.
White Earth Reservation is located in Becker, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties in north-central Minnesota. Created in 1867 by a treaty between the United States and the Mississippi Band of Chippewa Indians, it is one of seven Chippewa reservations in Minnesota. Although the White Earth Chippewa no longer live as their ancestors did, they have kept alive their tribal heritage. Almost every aspect of their present-day life has been strongly influenced by the past.
Learn more at our history page!
Cultural Community Outreach
White Earth Nation Cultural Division holds monthly Family and Community Cultural Events that are free and open to the public. The events are held each month at the Rediscovery Center. Below is a list of activities that could take place at the next event!
- Feasting
- Lacrosse
- Red Willow
- Drumming
- Talking Circle
- Beading
- Moccasin ornament making
- Cultural teaching
For more information, contact Merlin Deegan at merlin.deegan@whiteearth-nsn.gov.
Anishinaabe Language
For more information about the Ojibwe Language, please check out our language page!
Cultural Licensing Curriculum
The White Earth Cultural Division was tasked with the creation of the White Earth Nation's Cultural Curriculum that is specific to the White Earth Nation History. The creation of the White Earth Curriculum is to educate all White Earth Programs, employees and community members of the basic understanding of our history as a Tribal Indigenous Nation of Turtle Island. The curriculum is going to be created in three phases and as follows.
Phase one is to have a rough draft by spring of 2016
Phase two is to have a final draft created by the Fall of 2016 and approved by the White Earth Tribal Council
Lastly, the third and final phase of implementation of the curriculum is scheduled to be complete in spring 2017. It will be presented to all White Earth Division employees and community members. Presentation of the curriculum will be in a formal setting to all divisions, employees and community members
Please keep checking the White Earth Cultural Division webpage for more information regarding the White Earth Nation's Cultural Curriculum.