Onigum, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Onigum
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 Onigum
Location in Minnesota
Onigum
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Cass |
| Township | Shingobee Township |
| Elevation | 1,322 ft (403 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56484
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| Area code(s) | 218 |
| GNIS feature ID | 657678 |
Onigum is a small, unincorporated community in Cass County, Minnesota, United States. It is located near the town of Walker, along Cass County Road 13. The name Onigum comes from the Ojibwe language and means "portage." A portage is a path where boats and goods are carried overland between two bodies of water.
Contents
History
Early Ojibwe History
In 1781, a large group of Ojibwe people took control of the area around Leech Lake. White traders called them "Pillagers" or Muk-im-dua-win-in-e-wug, which means "men who take by force." This group of Ojibwe became known for being brave.
By 1851, about 1,250 people were part of this group. Around 300 of them were men who could fight. This number only included the Ojibwe who lived around Leech Lake.
Early Missions
In 1833, a missionary named Rev. Boutwell traveled north to Leech Lake. He wanted to start a mission there. He arrived on October 4, 1833. His first goal was to open a school.
He built a simple bark house for himself. Within a few months, he finished a cabin with mud walls to stay warm in winter. After he got married and had his first child, Boutwell moved back to Wisconsin. Other missionaries from Oberlin College tried to continue his work, but they left after three years.
The Leech Lake Agency
On April 12, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Edwin Clark to be the agent for the Ojibwe people in Minnesota. Clark's job was to find a central place for the agency. An agency was like an office that helped manage relations between the government and Native American tribes.
After visiting Leech Lake, Clark decided it was the best and most accessible spot for the Ojibwe. He believed the agency should be built on the south shore of Leech Lake. A road was built to this agency. This location served as the main contact point for the Ojibwe until 1898.
Moving the Agency and Onigum Village
A significant event called the Battle of Sugar Point happened on October 5, 1898. This battle brought national attention to the Leech Lake Agency. After this event and talks with the Ojibwe group known as the Bear Island Pillagers, the agency moved.
The new location was on a peninsula about 2.5 miles across the water from the old agency. The Leech Lake Indian Agency was officially established there by a law passed on March 1, 1899. Fifteen thousand dollars was set aside to build the necessary buildings.
In 1922, the Leech Lake Agency moved again, this time to Cass Lake, Minnesota. However, the village of Onigum continued to exist. The Onigum Council was formed and officially recognized in 1924.
In January 1926, Congressman Knutson tried to pass a law to set aside 276 acres at Onigum for a village, but it did not pass. He tried again in June 1933 to get the land for the village. Finally, in March 1935, the law passed. This law allowed Onigum to become a self-governed village.
