Bois Fort Indian Reservation (Minnesota)

The Bois Fort Reservation was a federally-recognized reservation in Minnesota.


 * Established -- 7 August 1866
 * Agency (BIA) --
 * Principal tribes -- Bois Fort Band of Chippewa
 * Population -- 2010 is 613 (when including mixed bloods it's 638) - Does not include non Indians)

History
The Bois Fort Reservation was established by Treaty of Apr. 7,1866 (XIV, 765) and an act of Jan. 14,1889 (XXV, 642). Bois Forte (Nett Lake) Reservation, has links to Red Lake Reservation. The Lac Du Bois Chippewa's of Red Lake Reservation, are obviously the same Chippewa's from Bois Forte Reservation.

Their Reservation is probably a part of the 11 million acre (17,187 sq. mi. or 44,515 sq. km.) Little Shell Pembina Chippewa Reservation of northern Minnesota that chiefs Little Shell III and Red Thunder, refused to cede in 1892. What happened in 1889 was fraudulent.

There are 3 different sections which make up Bois Forte. One is located around Nett Lake, another is located around Lake Vermillion, and Dry Creek. Both Nett Lake and Lake Vermillion, have Chippewa populations, while Dry Creek is not being exploited at this time by Reservation leaders

In 1901, the Indian population of Nett Lake Reservation or Bois Forte Reservation, was 771. In 1930, the Indian population of the Nett Lake Reservation was 627. According to the 2010 census, the Indian population of Bois Forte Reservation or Nett Lake Reservation, was 613 (when including mixed bloods it's 638). An exact cause to why this Chippewa Reservation is not gaining a significant Indian population is not known. However, the 1898 Chippewa Rebellion in Minnesota was probably a factor. Many of the Chippewa's from Nett Lake probably supported chief Bugonaygishig during the short 1898 Rebellion.

After the short conflict, many of the Bois Forte Chippewa's were probably relocated to Red Lake Reservation. The Indian Reorganization Act can also be blamed for an almost no gain in an Indian population at Bois Forte Reservation. One of the goals of the Indian Reorganization Act was to relocate Indians from Reservatiions, to white communities. Chippewa leaders of Bois Forte Reservation, must stop their citizens from leaving their domain. .

Records
Land Records: Allotted Land: 55,211 acres