Sandy Lake Tragedy and Events Leading to it

By nicoleZ
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    Sandy Lake Tragedy

  • Treaty signed

    The U. S. government negotiated a treaty for the acquisition of 13 million acres of land east of central Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. In the treaty Ojibwe were cede land to hunt and fish on. As a compensation for the ceded land they received annuity payments for a 20 year period.

  • More land acquasition

    U. S. government negotiated with Ojibwe men for for acquisition for 10 million more acres of land in northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan.

  • Talk of Removal

    The talk of removing Native Americans from their land increased and Indian representatives went to Washington to try and end the threat presented by removal.

  • Removal

    President Taylor issued an executive order calling for the removal of the Ojibwe to areas west of the Mississippi River.

  • Journey to Sandy Lake Begins

    19 Ojibwe bands started the journey to the shores of Sandy Lake where annuity payments and supplies were promised by the government.

  • The Plan

    Ojibwe men should gather by this date for annuity payments. Ojibwe started to filter in. Rasmey's plan was to have the Indian's trapped at Sandy Lake during winter conditions in order to harm them,

  • Trouble at the shores

    4,000 Ojibwe men had arrived at Sandy Lake for their annuity payments by this time. They were not prepared for winter and thought supplies would be distributed to them before the weather got cold. They did not have enough food or shelter to wait over 6 weeks for their payments. Ojibwe men did not expect to have to be at camp for so long. 150 men died from dysentery from spoiled government food, measles, dehydration, freezing, and starvation.

  • Payments finally arrive

    The last of the supplies and payments were distributed after winter weather had already set in. A government agent arrived at Sandy Lake and informed the Ojibwe men that Congress had been unable to send the appropriate money and supplies. Spoiled food and a small percentage of the promised payment is all that arrived.

  • Ojibwe journey home

    Encampment at Sandy Lake broke-up and survivors headed home. Over 250 Ojibwe died along the way home.

  • Removal stops

    U.S. Government stopped efforts to remove Ojibwe men from their lands due to outraged non-Indian settlers

  • Reservations

    U.S. Congress passed a law new that treaties would provide for permanent reservations in areas the Ojibwe traditionally occupied instead of removal.