The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-21
NATAL DAY OF REDS.
Thirty-ffth Annual Council Fire of
i White Earth Chippewas Set for
June Is and 16.
Once Hated Foes, the Sioux, Invited
i Origin and Significance Of
the Anniversary.
Hnecial to The Journal.

Special TO The Journal.
White Earth, Mimi, May 21.--Why do
The people Of the Wlite Earth reserva-
ton celebrate June IA? In 1851 the Mis-
sissippi bands Of Chippewa Indians, oc-
cupying the greater portion of northern
Minnesota, with main settlements at Gull
Lake and Crow Wing, realizing that a
certain tract of land, coded to them by
treaty of March 20, 1866, was not adapted
for agricultural purposes, to which pur-,
suit the majority of the bands desired
to devote themselves, entered into an
agreement with the United States for the
cession and REIMBURSEMENT Of the major
portion of their realty holdings in order
to provide a suitable farming region. This
treaty, which was proclaimed April 18,
1867, had a provision as follows:
Article Pin order to provide a suit
able farming region for the said bands,
there is hereby set apart for their use
a tract Of land to be located in a square
form as nearly as possible, with lines cor
responding to the government surveys,
which reservation shall include White
Earth Lake and Rice Lake, and contain
thirty-six townships Of land"
New Home Selected.
In the fall of 1866 the late Paul H.
Beaulieu, in company with Justice Ram
sey, brother Of the late ex -Governor
ton for the new home of the Chippewas,
and selected the lands which now COM
prise the White Earth reservation. After
the treaty had been proclaimed and in
the spring of 1868, Mr.. Beaulieu, accom-
panied by a, few intrepid followers, again
turned his steps toward the new home Of
4 his people. After a tedious journey thru
( roadless forests and trackless prairies,
I the little band of pioneers and path
Il finders arrived and camped at a place a
u mile north Of the present agency site,
on June IA, 1863 Immediately upon their
arrival they set to work to break Zip land
1 for garden purposes and planted a. crop
Of beans, corn and potatoes.
Il This small agricultural effort was the
/ beginning of a new life for the Chippewas.
Here, where was enacted thirty five years
ago, the struggling effort-rnarking the
initiatory steps of the Chippewas Of the
! Mississippi towards self-support. have
arisen the cheerful surroundings of homes
i Of comfort, schoolhouses and churches.
And annually there go forth from the
rank and file of the Chippewas Of the
q White Earth reservation, not the painted
and blood thirsty warrior Of days of yore,
but young men and women, cultured and
refined, to take their places in profession
nj and other fields Of usefulness.
Three years after the first pioneers had
settled on the White Earth reservation
4 the last W1SWdm was abandoned, the last
camp fire was extinguished and the last
warrior reluctantly left the scenes Of the
4 wigwam and war-path, turned from the
land of his forefathers to the new home.
The First Celebration. r
The first celebration, marking the ad-
vent of the Chippewas on the White EARTH
reservation, took place in 1s71Sor 1872. The
late Rev. j. Johnson-En- me -ga1a- bow
Chief White Cloud and Colonel c. H.. Beau
lieu met and arranged to commemorate
the occasion. This event took place II
the vicinity of the Episcopal church mis-
sion grounds. The late Rt. Rev. Henri,
Benjamin Whipple and other visitors wer.
present. The program consisted chiefly o