10.11.10
Minnesota’s Native American Heritage
With its current population of over 5 million residents, it’s hard to imagine that Minnesota was once home to a vast array of Native American tribes.In order to truly appreciate all that Minnesota has to offer, sometimes it’s a good thing to look at the past.Following is a sample of some of the most notable Native American tribes that helped shape this state as it is known today.Arapaho were a Plains tribe living around the Red River Valley of northern Minnesota and North Dakota.Chippewa (also known as the Ojibwas) can be broken into 15 historic bands (divisions) located in Michigan, western Minnesota, and all of Canada.Cheyenne heritage can be traced back to their earliest home in Minnesota bounded by the Mississippi, Minnesota, and upper red Rivers. Afterwards they moved to the Sheyenne branch of the Red River.Dakota were first known to Europeans in the area of southern Minnesota, but they gradually pushed westward. However, they never ceded all their lands as evidenced by their famous Red Pipestone Quarry.Omaha once lived near the Red Pipestone Quarry (see Dakota, above).Since the culture and history of Minnesota can so closely be aligned with its first residents, there are references just about everywhere and in just about every activity within the state.It’s a proud heritage. Respect it and enjoy it.