American Indian Heritage

Minong: A Traditional Cultural Property

Minong and the waters immediately surrounding the archipelago are a significant part of the North Shore Ojibwe's traditional cultural history and were part of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's (Ojibwe) ancestral land. For the Grand Portage Band, it is a traditional cultural property where they connect and practice their traditional heritage that has included hunting and trapping, maple sugaring, fishing, plant gathering, and spiritual practice. Minong had also been important to the band's economic viability through time. Many Grand Portage Band members use Minong's waters today to fish, which is an extremely significant part of Band member lives and heritage. Other Band members use Minong's natural resources to gather plants, or visit it for its spiritual qualities. The Ojibwe also believe that waters off Minong are thought to be the home of Mishepeshu, the underwater lynx. Mishepeshu is an important and potentially dangerous spirit being, or manitou, in traditional Ojibwe belief system.

 

Heritage of Minong

Aadizookann and Islands

 

Sources

For further reading and research, explore the source materials that contributed to the History & Culture: American Indian website.