Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan

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Tribal Headquarters
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan 7070 East Broadway Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Phone: 1.517.772.5700 Fax: 1.517.772.3508


 * Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Official Website

History
In the 16th century, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe lived in Michigan and Ontario. According to Ojibway authors in the 19th century, a migration of Chippewa's from the west to the east commenced in the 17th century. Through outright force they drove back the Indian allies of the whites and the whites, to near the Atlantic Ocean. Then according to Ojibway author George Copway, the Chippewa's commenced to settle the land east of Lake Huron.

White historians have written that the Sac or Sauk, originally lived in southeastern Michigan and southern Ontario, in the 17th century, and were driven to the west by the Indian allies of the whites. However, Sac and Sauk, are obviously short for Saginaw. The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe is also known as the Black River and Swan Creek Chippewa's.

They were constantly at war against the whites and their Indian allies throughout the 17th, 18th, and much of the 19th centuries. They also reacted to the Seven Fires Prophecy by gathering their people to commence disporas to the west, north, and south. Primarily to the west.

Brief Timeline
1492:

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe probably lived throughout Michigan.

16th century:

Contact with the whites took place. Indian allies of the whites, were supplied with cannons and guns by the whites. Chippewa soldiers could dominate them using only bows and arrows. The one shot musket guns were no match.

17th century:

Wars between the Chippewa's against the whites and their Indian allies, commenced early in the 17th century and continued on for the entire century. Late in the 17th century, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe drove the Indian allies of the whites and whites, to near the Atlantic Ocean. Chippewa settlers colonized the land east of Lake Huron to north of Lake Ontario. They also colonized northwestern New York State. They also sent Chippewa settlers south to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and southern New York State.

18th century:

Saginaw Chippewa soldiers were fully capable of keeping the whites and their Indian allies confined to the east. However, by the 1760s, the whites were forcing their way into western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. It may have been at this time when Chippewa leaders commenced to follow prophecy and send their people to the west, north, and south. By the late 18th century, the whites were dominating the Chipopewa's. It led to more diasporas. After the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe agreed to peace and land cessions commenced. So did greater diasporas.

Important Web Sites

 * Constitution and By-Laws of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Approved May 6, 1937.
 * Amended Constitution and By-laws of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, 1986
 * Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Official Website
 * Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation Wikipedia