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Native American Tribes of Minnesota

Did you know the name "Minnesota" is a Siouan Indian word? It means "cloudy water." The Sioux are not the only native people of this region, however.

The original inhabitants of the area that is now Minnesota included:

About Our Maps

The Dakota Sioux tribe

The Ojibwe tribe (also known as
Chippewa, Ojibway, or Ojibwa)

There are eleven federally recognized Indian tribes in Minnesota today.

Here are the addresses of Minnesota's Indian reservations:

Minnesota tribes today

1 Bois Forte Band of Chippewas:
PO Box 16
Nett Lake, MN 59772
http://www.boisfortertc.com/

2 Fond du Lac Ojibwe:
105 University Rd
Cloquet, MN 55720

3 Grand Portage Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe:
P.O. Box 233
Grand Portage, MN 55605

4 Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe:
Rt 3 Box 11
Cass Lake, MN 56633
http://www.leechlakeojibwe.org/

5 Lower Sioux Indian Community:
Rt 1 Box 308
Morton, MN 56270

6 Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe:
HRC-67 Box 194
Onamia, MN 56359
http://www.millelacsojibwe.org/

7 Prairie Island Indian Community (Dakota):
5636 Sturgeon Lake Road
Welch, MN 550889

8 Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians:
PO Box 550
Red Lake, MN 56671
http://www.redlakenation.org/

9 Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux:
2330 Sioux Tr. N.W.
Prior Lake, MN 55372

10 Upper Sioux Indian Community:
PO Box 147
Granite Falls, MN 56241

11 White Earth Ojibwe:
PO Box 418
White Earth, MN 56591

Teaching and learning activities about Minnesota Native Americans:

Feel free to print these out for classroom use!

Minnesota Tribes Word Search: Printable puzzle hiding the names of Minnesota's Indian tribes.

Minnesota Language Greetings: Learn to say "hello" in several Native Minnesota languages.

Minnesota Indian Facts for Kids: Answers to frequently asked questions about the Native American tribes of Minnesota.
We currently have pages for the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes.

Recommended books about Minnesota Native Americans:

Minnesota Indians: Introducing Minnesota's Native American history and culture to kids.

Minnesota Indians!: Another good book on the Ojibway and Dakota tribes for kids.

Shannon, Ojibway Dancer: Story of a contemporary Minnesota Indian girl and her family.

Through Dakota Eyes: History of the Minnesota Sioux Uprising of 1862.

Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region Handbook of herbs, food crops, and plant lore in southwest Minnesota and the Great Plains.

Other resources about American Indian history, culture and society in Minnesota state:

Minnesota Indian Affairs Council: Organization dedicated to the sovereignty and well-being of American Indians in Minnesota.

Minnesota Reservations: Extensive profiles of the Minnesota Indian tribes including culture, history, and contacts.

Minnesota Indian History: Historical profiles of American Indian tribes native to Minnesota.

Back to the index of Indian tribes
Back to our maps of Native American tribes
Back to our Indian Tribe Information for Kids

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