Treaty of La Pointe facts for kids

The Treaty of La Pointe refers to two important agreements signed in La Pointe, Wisconsin. These treaties were made between the United States government and the Ojibwe (also known as Chippewa) Native American people. There was also a special agreement called the Isle Royale Agreement, which was added to the first Treaty of La Pointe.

The 1842 Treaty of La Pointe

Map showing the land given up in the 1842 Treaty of La Pointe. This land is now part of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

The first Treaty of La Pointe was signed on October 4, 1842. Robert Stuart signed for the United States. Leaders from the Ojibwe Bands of Lake Superior and the Mississippi River signed for their people. This treaty became official on March 23, 1843.

Through this treaty, the Ojibwe gave up large areas of land. This land is now part of Wisconsin and Michigan, especially Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Just before this treaty, another important agreement, the Webster–Ashburton Treaty, was signed on August 9, 1842. This treaty settled a border dispute between Great Britain and the United States. This news did not reach the people negotiating the La Pointe Treaty in time. Because of this, the Grand Portage Band was not invited to sign the 1842 treaty. At that time, their land was thought to be in British territory. Now, it is part of the United States.

Later, in 1844, the United States and the Grand Portage Band signed the Isle Royale Agreement. This agreement was added to the 1842 treaty.

The Supreme Court of the United States later decided that the Ojibwe tribes who signed the treaty still had rights. These rights included hunting, fishing, and gathering on their old lands. The Supreme Court also said the United States had to provide reservations for these tribes. For example, land was bought in the 1930s for the Bay Mills Indian Community. Their people had lived near Lake Superior in Michigan for a long time.

Who Signed the 1842 Treaty?

Many Ojibwe leaders signed the 1842 treaty. Here are their names and where they were from:

^‡Name given in Dakota.

How Treaty Boundaries Changed

In Michigan, the treaty boundaries have stayed the same.

In Wisconsin, some boundaries of the 1842 treaty area were changed. They now follow clear landmarks like roads and streams. Also, in Wisconsin, members of the Ojibwe bands can still hunt, fish, and gather on these lands. They need permission from the property owner and a special license from their tribe.

In Minnesota, the boundaries have not changed. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is mainly concerned about hunting rules related to this treaty. Minnesota does not agree that the 1842 land cession gives tribes special rights over Lake Superior. However, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources did approve an extension of fishing rights for the Grand Portage Band. This was part of the 1854 Treaty of La Pointe.

The 1844 Isle Royale Agreement

Map showing the 1844 Webster-Ashburton Treaty area and the 1842 Treaty of La Pointe area. You can see how they overlap over Isle Royale, which led to the Isle Royale Agreement.

The Isle Royale Agreement was an addition to the 1842 Treaty of La Pointe. It was signed in La Pointe, Wisconsin on August 20, 1844. Robert Stuart again represented the United States.

The Grand Portage Band used the resources on Isle Royale. They believed this island and their people were in British territory. After the Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842 made the border clear, the Grand Portage Band signed the Isle Royale Agreement. This agreement added them to the earlier treaty. The tribes who signed the 1842 treaty also confirmed it again.

^‡ Name given in Dakota

• Wm. McDonald
• Jno. Hulbert
• Clement H Beaulieu
• Chas. H. Oakes
• J Russell
• Jas. P. Hays, United States Indian Sub-Agent
• Wm. W. Warren, Interpreter

The 1854 Treaty of La Pointe

Land given up in 1854 in the Treaty of La Pointe. It is shown in pink on the map.

The second Treaty of La Pointe was signed on September 30, 1854. Henry C. Gilbert and David B. Herriman signed for the United States. Leaders from the Ojibwe of Lake Superior and the Mississippi also signed. This treaty became official on January 29, 1855.

In this treaty, the Lake Superior Ojibwe gave up all their lands in the Arrowhead Region of Northeastern Minnesota to the United States. In return, they received reservations in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. The tribes who signed the treaty still kept their rights to hunt, fish, and gather in this area. The parts of the land that were not given up were claimed by the Mississippi Ojibwe.

The Indian reservations created by this treaty include:

• L'Anse with Lac Vieux Desert
• Bad River
• Lac du Flambeau and Lac Courte Oreilles
• Fond du Lac
• Grand Portage
• Ontonagon and Red Cliff

along with land given to the Metis people.

The Mole Lake and St. Croix Bands lost their official recognition from the government. This happened because they were not included in this treaty. The Mole Lake Band and the eastern part of the St. Croix Band in Wisconsin later got their federal recognition back. This was under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. However, the western part of the St. Croix Band in Minnesota is not recognized on its own. It is considered part of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Who Signed the 1854 Treaty?

Many Ojibwe leaders signed the 1854 treaty. Here are their names and where they were from: