Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana
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Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana (Ojibwe language: Esensininiwag) is a federally recognized tribe of Ojibwe, Métis, and Cree people in Montana.[2][3][4] The name of the tribe is often shortened to Little Shell. The current population of enrolled tribal members is approximately 6,600.[1] They have a 35,000-sq. foot office complex in Great Falls.[citation needed]
Named for its 19th-century leader,
Members elect a government of a chairman and Tribal Council according to their constitution. While headquartered in Great Falls, tribal members live throughout Montana, particularly in Havre, Lewistown, Helena, Butte, Chinook, Hays, Wolf Point, Hamilton, Billings.
History
During the early part of the 18th century, the ancestors of the Little Shell migrated from the Great Lakes area (most likely northern Ontario and northern Minnesota) into the Plains of Canada and the United States. They allied with the
The Little Shell are part of the historical
The Pembina Band entered into a treaty with the United States in the 1863
Senator
After hearing of the fraud, John Burke, state attorney for Rolette County, North Dakota, agreed to represent Little Shell before the US Senate. Senator McCumber agreed with John Burke that the treaty was a fraud.[7] Nonetheless, the US Senate ratified the treaty after McCumber died in 1905. The federal officials told the Little Shell people to sign the treaty or risk starving to death.[citation needed]
In the 1892 McCumber Agreement between the Turtle Mountain Indians and the Commission, the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation was established, but many of the Little Shell Band of Chippewa Indians refused settlement there. Some Little Shell members did eventually settle on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Others migrated north and west into Saskatchewan and Alberta, and then later made their way back south into Montana.[citation needed]
In the mid-19th century, the tribe was numbered at several thousand in the Red River-Pembina region. At that time there was no formal enrollment procedure, no reservation, and thus no documented population.[citation needed]
20th and 21st century
Beginning in the late 20th century, the people of the tribe reorganized and first obtained
Government
The Tribe maintained its integrity throughout the 20th century, long before federal recognition. The constitution has been revised, most recently in 2016. The government, social structure and culture have been maintained. The Little Shell Tribe is governed by a constitutionally defined elected Tribal Council. The Tribal Chairman is also elected. Four council seats are up for election every 4 years and three council seats every two years, in a largely mail-in balloting process. The tribal council meets regularly in Great Falls at least monthly, and quarterly meetings are held every quarter, in efforts to keep tribal members involved and informed.[citation needed]
The Council are unpaid. Now that the tribe is federally recognized, the Little Shell qualify for federally funded educational or government support services such as housing and medical facilities, typically provided tribes recognized by the United States government. Little Shell Tribal members can obtain some services available in urban centers as well as public benefits available to all Montana residents.[citation needed]
Events of interest
- Joseph Dussome Day: An annual gathering of the tribe for cultural renaissance, social activities, election results, announcements and committee meetings, usually in November.
- Back to Batoche Celebration: An annual gathering of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa and sister Tribes of Metis in Canada, commemorating the Riel Rebellion, and including cultural activities, dancing, art and socializing, at Batoche, Saskatchewan.
- Little Shell Pow Wow: Annual tribal pow wow usually occurring in August in Great Falls, Montana.[9]
Notable tribal members
- Thomas Little Shell
- Chris La Tray
- Spero M. Manson
Further reading
- A Brief Historical Overview Of The Little Shell Tribe of Pembina Chippewa, by Deward E. Walker, Jr., July 1990— This historical digest may be obtained from the Little Shell Tribal Offices in Great Falls.
- The Free People—Otipemisiwak, by Diane Paulette Payment — This volume contains a detailed history of the Metifs, including cultural issues, early photographs, political action descriptions and other historical data, from a Canadian perspective.
- Verne Dusenberry, "Waiting For A Day That Never Comes," Montana The Magazine of Western History. This article highlights the efforts of Joseph Dussome in organizing the tribe.
- Nicholas Church Peterson Vrooman, compiler. "Buffalo Voices: Stories told by Metis and Little Shell Elders," Turtle Island 1492-1992, North Dakota Quarterly Vol 59 No. 4, Fall 1991
- Nicholas C. P. Vrooman, The Whole Country was....One Robe: The Little Shell Tribe's America
- Nicholas C. P. Vrooman, Plains/Chippewa/Metis Music from Turtle Mountain, Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings
- Joseph Kinsey Howard, Strange Empire, Minnesota Historical Society, reprint 1994, with introduction by Nicholas Vrooman. History of the Métis, Canadian Métis, Little Shell Tribe, Turtle Mountain and Pembina and related groups.
- Michael Loukinen, Medicine Fiddle (1992), film produced by Northern Michigan University. It features Metis and Chippewa music, dancing and spirituality. Also has interviews with musicians from several tribes and bands in the Western Great Lakes Red River area.
- Levi, Sister M. Carolissa, CHIPPEWA INDIANS of Yesterday and Today(1956).
- [1], an article in the Washington Post
- Verne Dusenberry, "Waiting for a Day That Never Comes", Little Shell Tribe History, Little Shell Tribe Newsletter, hosted by Robert Dean Rudeseals The Little Shell Tribe of Montana Archived 2011-01-10 at the Wayback Machine
References
- ^ a b "2023 Annual Report" (PDF). Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Language Resources". Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ a b McLaughlin, Kathleen (21 Dec 2019). "A big moment finally comes for the Little Shell: Federal recognition of their tribe". Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Culture". Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Montana Cadastral". Montana Cadastral. Montana State Library. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Little Shell Tribe gains lease to take over Montana state park". Great Falls Tribune. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ CHIPPEWA INDIANS of Yesterday and Today. Author: Levi, Sister M. Carolissa Book in english language. (1956). 385 pages. Publisher: Pageant Press, NY
- ^ "Little Shell will dedicate center, discuss language". Great Falls Tribune. 2014-05-01. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "2022 Little Shell Pow Wow". The Cascade Courier. July 25, 2022. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.