Women of Leech Lake Nation Stories: Historical Trauma and Colonization

FAIN: HB-262532-19

Elaine Fleming
Leech Lake Tribal College (Cass Lake, MN 56633-3115)

Collection and publication of historical narratives by Ojibwe women of the Leech Lake Nation in northern Minnesota.

This project proposes to address gaps in historical literature regarding the Leech Lake Nation in northern Minnesota. Little has been written about the Nation's history, and the impact of historical events on Leech Lake Nation's land, people, and culture. The project will create a book relating historical events and stories from families impacted by those events as recounted through the eyes of Ojibwe women, the keepers of the family's health and well being. The book will be written in the style of traditional Ojibwe storytelling and used to increase understanding of the changing historical role of Ojibwe women; the effect of historic trauma and its subsequent symptoms of loss on indigenous people; and to enhance education.