The Sandy Lake Tragedy: Following in the Footsteps in the Ojibwe

Gr 4-6–A deceptive U.S. government, winter weather, a difficulty with understanding the English language, starvation, and disease all contributed to the deaths of 400 Ojibwe people in 1850. From the spring of 1850, when President Zachary Taylor ordered the removal of the Ojibwe from northern Wisconsin to Sandy Lake in the Minnesota territory, until President Millard Fillmore canceled the removal order in the spring of 1852, the Ojibwe of the northern Midwest faced brutal, fatal conditions as they attempted to return home. The author, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie tribe of Chippewas, presents a short and complete history of this little-known disaster. A lot of information sneaks into a concise text, loaded with myriad drawings, photos, maps, and fact boxes. The tone is engaging while exposing the horror and hopelessness of the Ojibwe Trail of Tears. Events eventually turned hopeful, and the tragedy is recognized in July each year. Back matter includes very short “Read More” section and internet sites lists. There is not a lot of information about this event for this grade range; this title fills a void.