Bad River Reservation

Located in far northern Wisconsin, adjacent to Lake Superior, is Bad River Reservation. Below is a map of Bad River Reservation and links to google earth photos of Old Odanah. It is more than 90% wilderness. In Ojibway, it's named Mashkiiziibi. It's supposed to mean Bad River. It don't. It means Marsh River. Their word for "bad" is "Maad-ji." Notice how whites combine Ojibway words? It's correct name is "Ma-ji Sip-pi Ish-kon-i-gan," which means Bad River Reservation in Ojibway. A very small part of BRR is located on Madeline Island. Their population has increased little since 1900. Around 1900, Bad River Reservation had a population of around 1,000. Their somewhat in a stall. We expect their population to increase very slowly. It was in 1854 when Ojibway leaders signed La Pointe Treaty which established Bad River Reservation and nearly all other Wisconsin Chippewa Reservations. Bad River flows from it's mouth at Lake Superior south to Odanah. In 1960, Bad River flooded which caused a relocation away from the dangerous river. A new community was established several miles east of Odanah. At BRR's wikipedia page they used to include information about 1960's flood. That information told of 1,000's of BRR Ojibwa's being relocated away from Bad River. Long before whites settled that region, Ojibwa's knew the river often flooded and named it Bad River. Of course, they named the waterway Bad River because it flooded every now and then. Some of the floods were major. By naming the waterway Bad River, it became a constant indication that it was a location not to establish large settlements at. A sand bank was built by Ojibwa Soldiers 500 to 600 years ago to contain their canoes for migrations east to combat white invaders. It's located north and northwest of New Odanah. An Ojibwa Naval Base was located there. Canoes numbering over 10,000 were contained on the sand bank. Some of the canoes were large enough to hold 20 to 40 sailors. Most held 10 or less. Ojibwa's who lived at the Bad River region were traditionalists. Strong protests against white religions caused serious civil unrest among Ojibwa People. Some left for Buffalo's Estate which is now Red Cliff Reservation. After Ojibwa Soldiers butchered Buffalo to death for illegally signing treaty, those who converted left for his estate.

A couple of years before 1854's La Pointe Treaty, Ojibway leaders ordered many of their people to pack their belongings to prepare for a diaspora west. It was Seven Fires Prophesy which led them to commence their exodus. They left at a wrong time. This diaspora is known historically as Sandy Lake Tragedy. Several hundred Ojibway's died on their migration. However, Ojibway People must not believe what whites have written about their history. Again i will mention Seven Fires Prophesy. Though a great many Ojibway people did go west, many continued to live at Wisconsin. And those Ojibway's who were captured by whites, were eventually forced back to their Wisconsin homes. Most reached Montana and further west.

A Reservation of 194.2 sq. mi. or 503.1 sq. km. was set aside for Ojibway's of Bad River. However, after 1887's illegal Dawes Act was utilized by American leaders, much of Bad River Reservation (55,408 acres) was lost to whites. However, that is misleading because this Reservation is nearly all wilderness. Thus, a reason for their 19th century exodus. They knew not to trust whites. However, land which covers this Reservation is not ideal for agriculture operations. As mentioned earlier, nearly 100% of Bad River Reservation is a wilderness. Of course, that means it is really an off limits Reservation. Most whites live along southern shores of Lake Superior. Nearly all Ojibway communities are located along U.S. Route 2. They include Birch Hill which is located along Reservation Highway 5 and on their domain's eastern border. Birch is located 1.5 miles northwest of Birch Hill. Franks Field is over a mile northwest of Birch. New Odanah is 4 miles northwest of Franks Field. It's capital of Maji Sippi Ishkonigan. Odanah is located 2 miles northwest of New Odanah. Old Odanah is located a half a mile west of Odanah, along Caville Road. There are no Ojibway communities located along southern shores of Lake Superior as of yet. Only a small area east of Marengo has farms. All remaining land is wilderness. There are locations at BRR's northwest where unorganized settlements are located. They number about 5. On BRR's map below, they are indicated with a UO. They are located along Old Odanah Road, Johnson Road, Reykdal Road, Kagerville Road and Goslin Road. There are no settlements at BRR's south.

An interesting bit of information to mention about this Reservation, is Ojibway leaders of Bad River Reservation, have allowed Yamassee Seminole's to purchase 40 acres of Reservation land and set up Oklevueha Colony. This colony claims they are still at war with United States and are not American citizens. Seminole's and all other Muskogean Indians, are partly Ojibway or Ojibway. BRR's leaders will not allow any Rocky Boy Tribe of Chippewa Indians near their Reservation. We know that!

Old Odanah Road View

Old Odanah Road View

Old Odanah Road View

Old Odanah Road View

Old Odanah Road View

Old Odanah Road View

Demographics of Bad River Reservation

Land Area: 194.2 sq. mi. or 503.1 sq. km.

Population: 1,278 (2020 census) - Ojibwa's make 66% (843) of the population. Whites 22% or 281. Most live adjacent to Lake Superior. Mexicans 7% or 89. MIxed bloods 4% or 51. Blacks 2% or 26.

Language: Ojibway