2019 Ranger Activities at Grand Portage National Monument

2019 Program Advertising Text

1. Beyond the Beaver: The Other Furs of the Fur Trade
While beaver pelts were the most common fur traded at Grand Portage, they were not the only furs. Learn about other furs brought through Grand Portage, their relative values compared to beaver pelts, and what they were used for.

2. Building the Birch Bark Canoe
Birch, cedar, and spruce are all essential trees for building a birch bark canoe; all of which are abundant in Grand Portage! Join Ranger Karl for an in depth discussion and demonstration of building the birch bark canoe.

3. Clues from the Past
Archaeology is a science vital to understanding Grand Portage history. Join Paula for a chronology of events and presentation of artifacts.

4. Fiddle Music in the Fur Trade
Distinct fiddle styles of Scottish, French Canadian, and Native music blended and developed through the cross-cultural interactions made possible by the fur trade. Hear a variety of styles of live fiddle music including tunes from the 18th century at Grand Portage.

5. Finger Weaving Demonstration
Join park staff in a hands-on demonstration of a traditional Ojibwe Art

6. Fire, Flint, & the Fur Trade
Learn about the roles that fire, gunflints and firesteels had in the fur trade here at Grand Portage, including a demonstration on how to start your own fire with a flint and steel!

7. Firkins, Kilderkins, and Piggens: The Art of the Cooper
At Grand Portage, the cooper made and repaired barrels, buckets, and other utensils used for re-packing food and supplies for the northwest trade.

8. Fishing Prowess of the Ojibwe
Learn how the Ojibwe used their unique knowledge of Lake Superior and surrounding inland lakes and streams to survive and thrive before, during and after the fur trade era.

9. Fur to Felt to Fashion: Making the Beaver Hat
The 18th century fur trade was driven by fashion. The fur felt hat was the biggest fad that drove the fur trade. Join us to learn the process a fur went through to become a felt hat.

10. Gifts from the Earth: Ojibwe Ethnobotany
Look outside. Can you find what you need to take care of yourself? You can, if you know what plants to look for! Explore traditional Ojibwe plant knowledge and land use practices in the abundant northwoods environment.

11. Globalization of the Fur Trade
Exotic goods like vermillion, ostrich plumes, Venetian beads, and Brazilian tobacco made quite the journey to North America. Learn about the trade routes and how they helped establish the logistics of today’s globalized world.

12. Grand Portage Rocks! Walking Tour
Visible Precambrian bedrock in Grand Portage formed the landscape of Gichi Onigamiing (great carrying place) and Lake Superior. Join park staff in the exploration of what these rocks can tell us!

13. The House the Beaver Built
Historic structures have something to tell us. How do they do that? Examine the architecture and construction process in building the 18th century Great Hall, Kitchen, and Canoe Warehouse at Grand Portage.

14. Maple Sap Collecting
Maple sap is harvested in the spring. Learn about the process of collecting, processing, and storing maple sap in the 18th century and today.

15. Sink Your Teeth into Something Fun! The Art of Birch Bark Biting
Get a taste of Anishinaabe tradition with a hands-on demonstration of Mazinibaganjiganan and its past. Learn how to properly remove bark from the tree and make art with your teeth. Don’t worry, I won’t bite you!

16. Turning with the Bodger
Join the bodger, or wood turner, in the Canoe Warehouse. The spring pole lathe, a tool of 13th-18th century carpenters, was used to make the elegant Windsor chairs in the Great Hall.

17. Why Grand Portage? Walking Tour
Explore the national monument grounds at historic Grand Portage on this one hour walking tour.

18. “Mad as a Hatter” and Other Sayings
Where did the sayings about hats come from? Discover fun facts about the origin of sayings like “hat trick,” “setting your cap,” and more!

19. Ojibwe Women
Explore the role of the Ojibwe woman in the fur trade era. Women were integral to the success of the fur trade.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Grand Portage National Monument is about 150 miles northeast of Duluth, Minnesota and 50 miles southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada along the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior. The Monument is located in northeastern Minnesota's "Tip of the Arrowhead" within Grand Portage Indian Reservation in the community of Grand Portage, Minnesota. The Heritage (visitors) Center and parking lot address is 170 Mile Creek Road. Coming from the south on MN Highway 61, turn right at the sign to Grand Portage National Monument on to Casino Road (where the Spur gas station and Trading Post is located). Turn left, at the stop sign and intersection of Casino and Mile Creek Roads. Drive approximately 3/4 of a mile and turn left at the large wooden Heritage Center sign (on the left side of the mile Creek Road) and up the sloped pavement into the parking lot. Please note that the parking lot entrance and exit are one-way only.

Latitude and Longitude 47.961880, -89.684370

Schedule

Contact Information

Chief of Interpretation
218-475-0123
Contact Us

Event Type

• Children’s Program
• Cultural/Craft Demonstration
• Guided Tour
• Hike
• Living History
• Talk
• Walk