I was browsing around and found a cool story on the Cook Co News Herald website, its oral history passed on by Billy Blackwell. He was talking about a standoff between Sioux and Ojibwe on Spruce island on Saganaga and it was really fascinating. I want to learn more about native history on this region. Can anyone point me to some good resources, either books or websites?

(Also, sorry this post first published with only the title and no text. Slip of the thumb on my phone.)

This is the inside story, told by someone dragged inside at an early age. I can highly recommend it. In addition to these digital versions, it is sold in paperback form as well:

A Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner

John Tanner (captive)

Several useful titles here. I have the Warren book and recommend it as well:

Suggested Reading from Grand Portage National Monument

Thank you for the links!

I have read several books that contain knowledge of the former Indigenous community within the Gunflint region. Between Two Worlds by Betty Powell Skoog, while published with minimal editing, is a fantastic read. She is (was?) part Anishinaabe and grew up on Saganagons. A relative of hers, Betsy Powell, also has a book on her life although I favored this one a good amount less. Justine Kerfoot's books Woman of the Boundary Waters also contains a lot of good stories and is a good read. John Henricksson's Gunflint is also worth a mention with further history and stories. None of these books are explicitly about the Indigenous communities and their experiences but certainly contain insight into it. They can probably be found at Chik Wauk museum along with more information at the museum itself. They are all interesting reads that provide fun stories alongside a good perspective of life on the Gunflint back then and before the BWCA was established. I imagine Gunflint by Justine is also a worthy ready I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Just remembered another book I have that I can recommend:

Walking The Old Road

The author is also responsible for this excellent resource:

Anishinaabe Way: Lives, Words and Stories of Ojibwe People

This is some interesting info: An Ojibwe Perspective of the Night Sky It is a presentation from one of the lunch sessions that Friends of the BWCA does. Includes discussions of the South Hegman pictos and the constellations that match them and other prominent characters in Ojibwe stories.

History

Miigwech for the post and topic. Lots of good things here.

OgimaaBines: "Miigwech for the post and topic. Lots of good things here. "

Nice, I grew up about 20 miles NE of Ogema MN on the White Earth Rez, it is 10 miles south of the Chippewas/Anishinabe rising sun, Waubun.

I don't think you will find the book you're looking for. There was never any written history. Oral history was passed down for thousands of years, yet most of that was lost with mandatory Indian Schools. Native kids were taken from their homes—forced to assimilate into white, Christian society. Most of the Indians I know today older than 50 were sent to these schools. Speaking in the Native tongue was strictly forbidden as were telling stories of the "good Ole Days".

Alot of the earliest written history came from trading post and missionary records. When the Natives started having children with the White man the written history begin with books, journals, records, etc...

Many good books have been listed. Also try some internet searches on Chief Blackstone. Some good books that I like with bits and pieces of good info are
Down From Basswood
Minong: The Good Place-Ojibwe and Isle Royale
Another book you might like is Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder

While not directly related to the original thread I was given this book about John tanner’s life in elementary school and really enjoyed it. Our teacher had the author Duane Lund come to our school for a reading. Most of the information comes from Edwin James narrative in the link you posted but with more of a story telling approach.

https://www.amazon.com/White-Indian-Boy-Adventures-Tanner/dp/0934860173

Maiingan: "I don't think you will find the book you're looking for. There was never any written history. Oral history was passed down for thousands of years, yet most of that was lost with mandatory Indian Schools. Native kids were taken from their homes—forced to assimilate into white, Christian society. Most of the Indians I know today older than 50 were sent to these schools. Speaking in the Native tongue was strictly forbidden as were telling stories of the "good Ole Days".


Alot of the earliest written history came from trading post and missionary records. When the Natives started having children with the White man the written history begin with books, journals, records, etc...


Many good books have been listed. Also try some internet searches on Chief Blackstone. Some good books that I like with bits and pieces of good info are
Down From Basswood
Minong: The Good Place-Ojibwe and Isle Royale
Another book you might like is Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder "

Thank you for this comment definitely going to +1 this. It's is very important and something that I failed to mention.