History
Sit among the history that awaits you here at the Turtle Mountain Reservation which will allow you to learn more than what a book might tell you. By visiting the reservation you will gain first hand experience on a day in the life of the tribe. Although their culture varies from how things were in the past, there are many traditional things you will find here.
Historical Background
During the three centuries immediately following the discovery of America, the Chippewas occupied territory extending back from the Northern and Eastern shores of Lake Superior and Huron. Moving westward through what is now Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the Chippewa pushed the Sioux southward over many fierce conflicts over the rich hunting grounds. As the Chippewa spread to the West and South, they broke up into more loosely defined groups.The Turtle Mountain Chippewas occupied the Turtle Mountain Hills all the way up to the Canadian Border.
As hunting, trapping, and lumbering diminished and river and lake navigation changed, while agricultural enterprises came in, the Chippewas were left stranded as they have been for three generations. Obtaining their living mostly from fish and game within the region. Game was scarce after the passing of the buffalo, and the Indians were often reduced to starving conditions. On March 3, 1873, Congress appropriated $25,000 for the purchase of the township on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota as a home for the Turtle Mountain Tribe. The tribe refused to accept the offer since they felt that their claim to the territory was valid and that they must continue to live in The Turtle Mountain Hills to protect their interests.
Life on the Reservation
Turtle Mountain has attracted several businesses to the Reservation. A Bulova watch factory, a shopping mall, an industrial park, a casino, and the construction industry. In addition, Tribal programs, the Indian Health Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the school all provide jobs to tribal members.
Little Shell III was the last in line of the hereditary Chiefs of the Turtle Mountain Band.
Sights
The Railroad
Between 1858 and 1862, the railroad appeared in parts of Red River country. The man who was responsible for driving the first spike in the first railroad west of St. Paul was William Crooks in 1862. The railroad followed the Red River trails, accelerated the growth of agriculture, and led many settlers to the northwest. It is believed that the railroad colonized much of the west.
Seeing many historical landmarks will provide a much better look at the life of a Native American, and can help diminish stereotypes. You might also see quite a few turtles sitting around the place!
They might look a little something like this!
Turtle Mountain
The land base of the Reservation is entirely within Rolette County, measuring 12 miles (from west to east) by 6 miles (from north to south).
Total acreage: 140,107 acres
The habitat of the Turtle “Mountain” hills is filled with small deciduous trees such as birch, oak, elm, poplar, aspen, willow, and cottonwood. The flora of the Turtle Mountains consists of several varieties of plants which attract numerous forms of wildlife like deer, moose, wolves, fox, beavers, rabbit, and others. There are various types of waterfowl as well such as Canadian geese, ducks, and pelicans. Birds such as eagles, hawks, crows, robins, bluebirds, and wrens return year after year to take up residence.
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