BWCA McKenzie Lake question Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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VTguy
member (29)member
  
08/15/2006 02:49PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
In 1974, I made a trip thru BWCA into Quetico, making it up thru Agnes and Kawnipi into McKenzie Lake. I vividly remember coming across a very shallow (actually exposed except for a few boards on top) grave on a tiny island in McKenzie. The grave contained most of a human skeleton that appeared to be pretty old judging from the lichen growth on the bones. Wondering if anyone knows the story behind that? I thought of it as I plan a long-overdue trip back into the BWCA this fall, although not as far as Quetico.
 
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miketp
member (21)member
  
08/16/2006 10:53PM  
The grave you refer to is that of an Ojibwa chief who died in the influenza epidemic around 1919. We camped on an island just east of there in the mid 1980's.
Maverick
Guest Paddler
  
08/17/2006 09:10PM  
I think you may be talking about Chief Blackstone. However, he was not buried (unless moved) on McKenzie but somewhere between Agnes and Kawa bay. He was the Indian Chief who died on his way back from trying to get help.

I would be very interested to know more info about what you found on McKenzie. Do you have any idea what island you were on?
Moosehopper
distinguished member (111)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/11/2015 11:55PM  
Any one know about this above ground burial on Mckenzie. I was hoping to pay my respects. I am just curious, give me a shout if you have info.

I will be respectful and not reveal its location if told. I want to put down an offering showing respect.

Thank you,
Moosehopper
DancesWithTrees
distinguished member (262)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/13/2015 09:00AM  
I've now seen at least two posters who said they found this site, and I think it is among the small islands on the northern end maybe. But not sure.

There is ALSO a grave near the portage from Kawnipi to MacKenzie, more heavily piled with rocks, and I have seen that one. Not sure if that is the Ojibwa chief mentioned elsewhere, it was not marked so I just don't know.

I do love that part of the park, especially MacKenzie. Just feels somehow more... spiritual. Or creepy, not sure which. All the pictos and graves probably help with that. There is also an island in the NE part of the lake that supposedly was a holdout or encampment for some of the last Ojibway that were living in the park. But I've not explored that island and I don't know if there are any artifacts or the like.
Moosehopper
distinguished member (111)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/13/2015 11:06AM  
Great Info. Dances With Trees,

I really appreciate the feedback. I am really looking forward to seeing wild life safely, and enjoying the serenity, peace, and joy of the east side of the park. I will fill you in on the details, I hope you have a safe trip if you are heading up sometime this summer too.

With Sincere Thanks,
Moosehopper (Joey G.)
schucanoe
senior member (57)senior membersenior member
  
04/24/2015 09:58PM  
A college buddy and I came across this burial site in early June of 1985 on the latter stages of a 24 day loop through the park. We were seeking out small windblown islands for a campsite as a means to escape mosquitoes. I remember him yelling back at me as I was still in the canoe, "Check it out there is somebody buried up here". We took lots of pictures thinking that maybe nobody knew about this. Needless to say we didn't camp there but on an island just west of it. When we got back to French Lake we told one of the rangers at the visitor center about what we saw and she told us that it was a fur trapper that passed in the early 1900's. Somewhere along the line something happened to the skull.
BearBAG
  
03/22/2020 03:30PM  
I have been trying to locate this grave for some time. I have been documenting locations of historical or interesting locations in the BWCA (for personal use) and this has been one of the top ones on my list. Do you remember which island it was on? Do you still have the pictures as well? I would love to see them if you do. If so would you be willing to message me privately about it?
tumblehome
distinguished member(2911)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/23/2020 06:17AM  
And I need not say it but...

The posts on here, are here forever and certainly someone will read these and go treasure hunting.

There is a private Quetico forum that would be ideal for more private conversation. Or PM's.
I personally would be very hesitant to tell others what you find in regard to native burial grounds in Quetico especially a new member that pops up saying they are looking for the graves.

My two cents.

Tom
dentondoc
distinguished member(1097)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/23/2020 06:59AM  
tumblehome: "And I need not say it but...

The posts on here, are here forever and certainly someone will read these and go treasure hunting.

There is a private Quetico forum that would be ideal for more private conversation. Or PM's.
I personally would be very hesitant to tell others what you find in regard to native burial grounds in Quetico especially a new member that pops up saying they are looking for the graves.

My two cents.

Tom"

Unfortunately, your warning is well over a decade late. I visited the site (by myself) over a decade ago. There was virtually nothing left of the skeleton or any other artifacts. It took several minutes to confirm I was in the right place.

So before anyone asks, I have forgotten where this or any other site is located.

dd
BearBAG
  
03/23/2020 06:33PM  
I completely understand where you are coming from. I agree the location should not be posted on a public site. It was just of more curiosity. I have been going up to the Boundary waters for 12 years now. I did my first 3 week solo two years ago and attempted to locate things like this. I am just fascinated by historical locations and wish only to document and photograph them for myself but I understand why it’s a bad idea. I was not aware there was a more private forum to asks this question otherwise I would have done that. If anyone has any pictures they wouldn’t mind sharing, I would appreciate that just as much.
 
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