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St. Croix Ojibwe - Wisconsin (U.S.)

Native American

image by Donald Healy, 31 January 2008

The band
The flag

See also:

The Band

map image by Peter Orenski based on input from Don Healy

Located in northwestern Wisconsin, the St. Croix Ojibwe (Chippewa or Anishinabe) have been residents of the area since the mid-1600s. While most of the Ojibwe depended upon fishing for their main source of sustenance, the St. Croix became traders, exchanging furs and foodstuffs with both English and French explorers and eventually came under the control of the United States.

The St. Croix Ojibwe lost recognition by the federal government in 1854. This happened frequently to tribes that had adapted to coexistence with the Euro-centric population that overpowered the Native populations. To continue to retain their identity, the St. Croix had to merge themselves with other nearby Ojibwe, but in 1934, the federal government relented and once again recognized the existence of a distinct St. Croix Ojibwe people. They were officially recognized as "The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin". With this recognition came the right to a reservation which continues into the 21st century.

The Flag

The ancient heritage of the Ojibwe is celebrated on their flag. The Ojibwe's main crop was a wild rice, not corn like many other tribes. The wild rice of the Ojibwe grew in the lakes of Minnesota, Wisconsin and surrounding areas. The centuries old tie between the Ojibwe and the wild rice is the central focus of their flag.

That flag is a light green. In the center is the tribal seal in black. Appearing in the center of the seal is a wild rice plant growing from the waters, represented by dark green squiggly lines, of the upper Midwest. As a background, a rising sun can be seen coming up from a distant shoreline. Surrounding this logo is the Tribe;s name "St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin" in black letters. The name is bordered by a thin line separating it from the central logo and a ring of tiny diamond-like shapes separating the tribal name from the field of the flag.

© Donald Healy 2008
information provided by Peter Orenski, 31 January 2008