The Treaty of La Pointe may refer to either of two treaties made and signed in La Pointe, Wisconsin between the United States and the Ojibwe (Chippewa) Native American peoples. In addition, the Isle Royale Agreement, an adhesion to the first Treaty of La Pointe, was made at La Pointe.
The first treaty of La Pointe was signed by Robert Stuart for the United States and representatives of the Ojibwe Bands of Lake Superior and the Mississippi River on October 4, 1842 and proclaimed on March 23, 1843, encoded into the laws of the United States as 7 Stat. 591. By this treaty, the Ojibwa ceded extensive tracts of land that are now parts of the states of Wisconsin and Michigan, specifically the latter's Upper Peninsula.
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty was signed on August 9, 1842, between Great Britain and the United States, officially ending their boundary dispute on what now is the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota, as well as settling other claims. This news did not reach the United States parties to the La Pointe Treaty negotiation. Consequently, the Grand Portage Band, then considered to be in Canadian British territory, was not invited to join the signing of this treaty. It is now considered to occupy territory in the United States.
In 1844, the United States and Grand Portage Band signed the Isle Royale Agreement as an adhesion to this treaty.
As determined subsequently by the United States Supreme Court, the signatory tribes retain hunting, fishing and gathering rights on their former lands in this region. In addition, the Supreme Court held that the treaty obligated the United States to provide reservations for peoples of the signatory bands. For instance, it acquired land in the 1930s for the Bay Mills Indian Community, whose people had historically long been located on Lake Superior in Michigan.
The Ojibwe treaty signatories were:
| # | Location | Recorded name | Name (translation/"alias") | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crow Wing River | Po go ne gi shik | Bagonegiizhig (Hole in the Day) | 1st chief |
| 2 | Crow Wing River | Son go com ick | Zoongakamig (Firm Ground) | 2d chief |
| 3 | Sandy Lake Band | Ka non do ur uin zo | Gaa-nandawaawinzo (He that Gathers Berries/"le Brocheux") | 1st chief |
| 4 | Sandy Lake Band | Na tum e gaw bon | Netamigaabaw (Stands First) | 2d chief |
| 5 | Gull Lake | Ua bo jig | Waabojiig (White Fisher) | 1st chief |
| 6 | Gull Lake | Pay pe si gon de bay | Bebiizigindibe (Curly Head) | 2d chief |
| 7 | Red Ceder Lake | Kui ui sen shis | Gwiiwizhenzhish (Bad Boy) | 1st chief |
| 8 | Red Ceder Lake | Ott taw wance | Odaawaans (Little Ottawa) | 2d chief |
| 9 | Pokegama | Bai ie jig | Bayezhig (Lone Man) | 1st chief |
| 10 | Pokegama | Show ne aw | Zhooniyaa (Silver) | 2d chief |
| 11 | Wisconsin River | Ki uen zi | Akiwenzii (Old Man) | 1st chief |
| 12 | Wisconsin River | Wi aw bis ke kut te way | Wayaabishkigoodewe (Has a White Skirt) | 2d chief |
| 13 | Lac du Flambeau Band | A pish ka go gi | Apishkaagaagi (Magpie/"White Crow") | 1st chief |
| 14 | Lac du Flambeau Band | May tock cus e quay | Metaakozige ([Smokes] Pure Tobacco) | 2d chief |
| 15 | Lac du Flambeau Band | She maw gon e | Zhimaagani (Lance) | 2d chief |
| 16 | Lake Bands | Ki ji ua be she shi | Gichi-waabizheshi (Big Marten) | 1st chief |
| 17 | Lake Bands | Ke kon o tum | Geganoodam (Intercessor) | 2d chief |
| 18 | Fond du Lac Band | Shin goob | Zhingob (Balsam) | 1st chief |
| 19 | Fond du Lac Band | Na gan nab | Naagaanab (Foremost Sitter) | 2d chief |
| 20 | Fond du Lac Band | Mong o zet | Maangozid (Loon's Foot) | 2d chief |
| 21 | La Pointe Band | Gitchi waisky | Gichi-weshkiinh (Great-renewer/"Buffalo") | 1st chief |
| 22 | La Pointe Band | Mi zi | Mizay (Eel) | 2d chief |
| 23 | La Pointe Band | Ta qua gone e | Dagwagaane (Two Lodges Meet) | 2d chief |
| 24 | Ontonagon | O kon di kan | Okandikan (Bouy) | 1st chief |
| 25 | Ontonagon | Kis ke taw wac | Giishkitawag (Cut Ear) | 2d chief |
| 26 | L'Anse | Pe na shi | Bineshiinh (Bird) | 1st chief |
| 27 | L'Anse | Guck we san sish | Akakwijenzhish (Bad Little Groundhog) | 2d chief |
| 28 | Lac Vieux Desert Band | Ka she osh e | Gezhiiyaashi (Sails Fast) | 1st chief |
| 29 | Lac Vieux Desert Band | Medge waw gwaw wot [1] | Bimijiwaagaakwad (Oblique-edged Ax) | 2d chief |
| 30 | Mille Lacs Indians | Ne qua ne be | Negwanebi ([Quill]feather) | 1st chief |
| 31 | Mille Lacs Indians | Ua shash ko kum | Wazhashkokon (Muskrat's Liver) | 2d chief |
| 32 | Mille Lacs Indians | No din | Noodin (Wind) | 2d chief |
| 33 | St. Croix Band | Be zhi ki | Bizhiki (Buffalo) | 1st chief |
| 34 | St. Croix Band | Ka bi na be | Gaa-biimabi (He that sits to the side/"Wet mouth") | 2d chief |
| 35 | St. Croix Band | Ai aw bens | Ayaabens (Little Buck) | 2d chief |
| 36 | Snake River | Sha go bi | Zhaagobe (Six) | 1st chief |
| 37 | Chippewa River | Ua be she shi | Waabizheshi (Marten) | 1st chief |
| 38 | Chippewa River | Que way zhan sis | Gwiiwizhenzhish (Bad Boy) | 2d chief |
| 39 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Ne na nang eb | Nenaa'angebi (Beautifying Bird) | 1st chief |
| 40 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Be bo kon uen | 2d chief | |
| 41 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Ki uen zi | Akiwenzii (Old Man) | 2d chief |
In Michigan, no boundary adjustments have been made.
In Wisconsin, for regulatory purposes, the southeastern boundaries of the 1842 treaty-area have been adjusted to follow distinct landmarks such as roads and streams. Furthermore, in Wisconsin, with consent of the property-owner and with tribally issued license, all treaty rights of hunting, fishing and gathering may be exercised by the members of the signatory bands.
In Minnesota, no boundary adjustments have been made. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have been mainly concerned over hunting regulations as related to this treaty. Minnesota does not acknowledge the 1842 land cession area as giving the tribes privilege over Minnesota's own claim over Lake Superior. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources approved an extension of the 1854 Treaty of La Pointe tribal fishing rights for the Grand Portage Band over a portion of the state's Lake Superior claims.
The Isle Royale Agreement is an adhesion to the 1842 Treaty of La Pointe, conducted at La Pointe, Wisconsin Territory on August 20, 1844. Commissioner Robert Stuart again represented the United States. The Grand Portage Band was using the resources on Isle Royale and believed it and they were in British territory. After boundary clarification was settled via the Webster Ashburton Treaty of 1842, the Grand Portage Band signed the Isle Royale Agreement with the United States as a treaty adhesion. The 1842 treaty signatories re-affirmed their treaty.
| # | Recorded name | Name (translation/"alias") | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Wab-ish-gag-gang-e [2] | Waabishkaagaagi (White Crow) | Lac du Flambeau Band |
| 02 | She-mang-un-ish | Zhimaaganish (Lance) | Lac du Flambeau Band |
| 03 | Knisteno | Ginishtinoo (Cree) | Lac du Flambeau Band |
| 04 | Ude-kum-ag | Adikameg (Whitefish) | Lac du Flambeau Band |
| 05 | Now-uj-e-wun | Naawajiwan (Middle of the Current) | Lac du Flambeau Band |
| 06 | Medge-wok-gok-wud | Bimijiwaagaakwad (Oblique-edged Ax) | Lac du Flambeau Band |
| 07 | Ah-mon-se | Aamoons (Wasp) | Lac du Flambeau Band |
| 08 | San-gan-e-may | Lac du Flambeau Band | |
| 09 | Ke-che-wais-keenh | Gichi-weshkiinh (Great-renewer/"le Bœuf") | La Pointe Band |
| 10 | Tug-wug-aun-e | Dagwagaane (Two Lodges Meet) | La Pointe Band |
| 11 | Mis-ia [3] | Mizay (Eel) | La Pointe Band |
| 12 | Muk-ud-a-be-nase | Makade-bines (Black Bird) | La Pointe Band |
| 13 | Ke-che-waub-e-sash-e | Gichi-waabizheshi (Big Marten) | Pelican Lake |
| 14 | Nig-gig | Nigig (Otter) | Pelican Lake |
| 15 | Osh-kau-bay-wis | Oshkaabewis (Waiter) | Wisconsin River |
| 16 | Kay-she-aush | Gezhiiyaashi (Sails Fast) | Lac Vieux Desert Band |
| 17 | Rim-idj-wang-auk-wad [4] | Bimijiwaagaakwad (Oblique-edged Ax) | Lac Vieux Desert Band |
| 18 | Bin-ash-een | Bineshiinh (Bird) | L'Anse |
| 19 | Ke-nen-ance | L'Anse | |
| 20 | Bug-um-aug-un | Bagamaagan (War-club) | L'Anse |
| 21 | Shin-goop | Zhingob (Spruce) | Fond du Lac Band |
| 22 | Nug-un-ub | Naagaanab (Foremost Sitter) | Fond du Lac Band |
| 23 | Mon-go-sit | Maangozid (Loon's Foot) | Fond du Lac Band |
| 24 | Kah-rum-dum-ah-winso [5] | Gaa-nandawaawinzo (He that Gathers Berries/"le Brocheux") | Sandy Lake Band |
| 25 | Win-je-ke-shik-uk | Wenji-giizhigak (Whence from the Sky) | Sandy Lake Band |
| 26 | Bug-on-a-ke-shing | Bagonegiizhig (Hole in the Day) | Crow Wing |
| 27 | Song-uk-um-ig | Zoongakamig (Firm Ground) | Crow Wing |
| 28 | I-ansh-ow-eke-shik [6] | Aayaazhawi-giizhig (Crossing Sky) | Red Cedar Lake |
| 29 | Otto-wance | Odaawaans (Little Ottawa) | Red Cedar Lake |
| 30 | Waub-o-geeg | Waabojiig (White Fisher) | Gull Lake |
| 31 | Na-quon-abe | Negwanebi (["Tallest" Quill]feather) | Mille Lacs Band |
| 32 | Be-dud | Pítad‡ (Muskrat's Liver) | Mille Lacs Band |
| 33 | No-din | Noodin (Wind) | Mille Lacs Band |
| 34 | Shin-e-yah | Zhooniyaa (Silver) | Pokegama |
| 35 | Boin-ance | Bwaanens (Little Sioux) | Pokegama |
| 36 | Kow-e-tas-sy | St. Croix Band | |
| 37 | Ah-cab-ay [7] | Ayaabe[ns] ([Little] Buck) | St. Croix Band |
| 38 | Ke-che-no-din | Gichi-noodin (Big Wing) | St. Croix Band |
| 39 | Gah-be-mah-be | Gaa-biimabi (He that sits to the side/"Wet Mouth") | St. Croix Band |
| 40 | Waub-e-sash-e | Waabizheshi (Marten) | Chippewa River |
| 41 | Que-we-san-sish | Gwiiwizhenzhish (Bad Boy) | Chippewa River |
| 42 | Mah-een-gun | Ma'iingan (Wolf) | Chippewa River |
| 43 | Ke-wan-se | Akiwenzii (Old Man) | Lac Courte Oreilles Band |
| 44 | Ke-che-be-nas-sy | Gichi-binesi (Big Bird) | Lac Courte Oreilles Band |
| 45 | Omad-ag-um-e | Omadaagamii (Choppy Waters) | Lake Chetac |
| 46 | Nay-nuk-aung-abe | Nenaa'angebi (Beautifying Bird) | Lake Chetac |
| 47 | Ka-kake | Gegek (Hawk) | Lake Chetac |
| 48 | Ky-aush-ke-bar [8] | Gayaashkobaa (Gull-narrows) | Lake Chetac |
| 49 | Shag-un-aush-eens | Zhaaganaashiins (Little Englishman) | Grand Portage Band |
| 50 | Ad-dik-ons | Adikoons (Little Reindeer) | Grand Portage Band |
‡ Name given in Dakota
The second treaty of La Pointe was signed by Henry C. Gilbert and David B. Herriman for the United States and representatives of the Ojibwe of Lake Superior and the Mississippi on September 30, 1854, proclaimed on January 29, 1855, and codified as 10 Stat. 1109. The treaty ceded all of the Lake Superior Ojibwe lands to the United States in the Arrowhead Region of Northeastern Minnesota, in exchange for reservations for the Lake Superior Ojibwe in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. The signatory tribes retain hunting, fishing and gathering right within this region. The portions left unceded were given claims to the Mississippi Ojibwe. The Indian reservations established under this treaty are:
along with general land grants to the Metis.
Mole Lake and St. Croix Bands lost their federal recognition due to not being included in this treaty. Mole Lake Band and St. Croix Band's eastern half in Wisconsin re-gained their federal recognition under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, but the St. Croix Band's western half in Minnesota are not independently recognized and are considered part of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
The Ojibwe treaty signatories were:
| # | Location | Recorded name | Name (translation/"alias") | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Pointe Band | Ke-che-waish-ke | Gichi-weshkiinh (Great-renewer/"Buffalo") | 1st chief |
| 2 | La Pointe Band | Chay-che-que-oh | Jechiikwii'o (Snipe) | 2d chief |
| 3 | La Pointe Band | A-daw-we-ge-zhick | Edawi-giizhig (Each Side of the sky) | 2d chief |
| 4 | La Pointe Band | O-ske-naw-way | Oshkinawe (Youth) | 2d chief |
| 5 | La Pointe Band | Maw-caw-day-pe-nay-se | Makade-binesi (Black Bird) | 2d chief |
| 6 | La Pointe Band | Naw-waw-naw-quot | Naawaanakwad (Middle of the Cloud) | headman |
| 7 | La Pointe Band | Ke-wain-zeence | Akiwenziins (Old Man) | headman |
| 8 | La Pointe Band | Waw-baw-ne-me-ke | Waabanimikii (White Thunderer) | 2d chief |
| 9 | La Pointe Band | Pay-baw-me-say | Bebaamise (Soarer) | 2d chief |
| 10 | La Pointe Band | Naw-waw-ge-waw-nose | Naawajiwanose (Walks through the Middle of the Current) | 2d chief |
| 11 | La Pointe Band | Maw-caw-day-waw-quot | Makade-anaakwad (Black Cloud) | 2d chief |
| 12 | La Pointe Band | Me-she-naw-way | Mizhinawe (Disciple) | 2d chief |
| 13 | La Pointe Band | Key-me-waw-naw-um | Gimiwana'am (Canoes in the Rain) | headman |
| 14 | La Pointe Band | She-gog | Zhigaag (Skunk) | headman |
| 15 | Ontonagon Band | O-cun-de-cun | Okandikan (Buoy) | 1st chief |
| 16 | Ontonagon Band | Waw-say-ge-zhick | Waase-giizhig (Clear Sky) | 2d chief |
| 17 | Ontonagon Band | Keesh-ke-taw-wug | Giishkitawag (Cut Ear) | headman |
| 18 | L'Anse Band | David King | 1st chief | |
| 19 | L'Anse Band | John Southwind | headman | |
| 20 | L'Anse Band | Peter Marksman | headman | |
| 21 | L'Anse Band | Naw-taw-me-ge-zhick | Netamigiizhig (First Sky) | 2d chief |
| 22 | L'Anse Band | Aw-se-neece | Asiniins (Little Rock) | headman |
| 23 | Lac Vieux Desert Band | May-dway-aw-she | Medweyaashi (Sound by the Wind) | 1st chief |
| 24 | Lac Vieux Desert Band | Posh-quay-gin | Bashkwegin (Leather) | 2d chief |
| 25 | Grand Portage Band | Shaw-gaw-naw-sheence | Zhaaganaashiins (Little Englishman) | 1st chief |
| 26 | Grand Portage Band | May-mosh-caw-wosh | Memashkawaash (Strong Wind) | headman |
| 27 | Grand Portage Band | Aw-de-konse | Adikoons (Little Reindeer) | 2d chief |
| 28 | Grand Portage Band | Way-we-ge-wam | headman | |
| 29 | Fond du Lac Band | Shing-goope | Zhingob (Balsam) | 1st chief |
| 30 | Fond du Lac Band | Mawn-go-sit | Maangozid (Loon's Foot) | 2d chief |
| 31 | Fond du Lac Band | May-quaw-me-we-ge-zhick | Mekwamiiwi-giizhig (Icy Day) | headman |
| 32 | Fond du Lac Band | Keesh-kawk | headman | |
| 33 | Fond du Lac Band | Caw-taw-waw-be-day | Gaa-dawaabide (Cracked Tooth/"Broken Tooth") | headman |
| 34 | Fond du Lac Band | O-saw-gee | Ozaagii (Sauk) | headman |
| 35 | Fond du Lac Band | Ke-che-aw-ke-wain-ze | Gichi-akiwenzii (Big Old Man) | headman |
| 36 | Fond du Lac Band | Naw-gaw-nub | Naagaanab (Foremost Sitter) | 2d chief |
| 37 | Fond du Lac Band | Ain-ne-maw-sung | Enimaasing (Sails Away) | 2d chief |
| 38 | Fond du Lac Band | Naw-aw-bun-way | headman | |
| 39 | Fond du Lac Band | Wain-ge-maw-tub | Wenji-maadab (Where He Moves From Sitting) | headman |
| 40 | Fond du Lac Band | Aw-ke-wain-zeence | Akiwenziins (Little Old Man) | headman |
| 41 | Fond du Lac Band | Shay-way-be-nay-se | Azhewe-binesi (Ingressive Bird) | headman |
| 42 | Fond du Lac Band | Paw-pe-oh | Baabii'o (Awaits) | headman |
| 43 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Aw-ke-wain-ze | Akiwenzii (Old Man) | 1st chief |
| 44 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Key-no-zhance | Ginoozhens (Little Jack Fish) | 1st chief |
| 45 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Key-che-pe-nay-se | Gichi-binesi (Big Bird) | 2d chief |
| 46 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Ke-che-waw-be-shay-she | Gichi-waabizheshi (Big Marten) | 2d chief |
| 47 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Waw-be-shay-sheence | Waabizheshiins (Little Marten) | headman |
| 48 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Quay-quay-cub | Gwekwekab (Turns Around Sitting) | headman |
| 49 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Shaw-waw-no-me-tay | Zhaawano-mide (Southern Medicine) | headman |
| 50 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Nay-naw-ong-gay-be | Nenaa'angebi (Dressing Bird) | 1st chief |
| 51 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | O-zhaw-waw-sco-ge-zhick | Ozhaawashko-giizhig (Blue Sky) | 2d chief |
| 52 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | I-yaw-banse | Ayaabens (Little Buck) | 2d chief |
| 53 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Ke-che-e-nin-ne | Gichi-inini (Big Man) | headman |
| 54 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Haw-daw-gaw-me | Naadagaame (Paddle to Shore) | headman |
| 55 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Way-me-te-go-she | Wemitigoozhi (Frenchman) | headman |
| 56 | Lac Courte Oreilles Band | Pay-me-ge-wung | Bemijiwang (Swift Current) | headman |
| 57 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Aw-mo-se | Aamoons (Wasp) | 1st chief |
| 58 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Ke-nish-te-no | Ginishtinoo (Cree) | 2d chief |
| 59 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Me-gee-see | Migizi (Eagle) | 2d chief |
| 60 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Kay-kay-co-gwaw-nay-aw-she | Gekekogwaneyaashi (Blown Hawk-feather) | headman |
| 61 | Lac du Flambeau Band | O-che-chog | Ojichaag (Soul) | headman |
| 62 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Nay-she-kay-gwaw-nay-be | Nezhikegwanebi (Lone Wing-feather) | headman |
| 63 | Lac du Flambeau Band | O-scaw-bay-wis | Oshkaabewis (Waiter) | 1st chief |
| 64 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Que-we-zance | Gwiiwizens (White Fish) | 2d chief |
| 65 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Ne-gig | Nigig (Otter) | 2d chief |
| 66 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Nay-waw-che-ge-ghick-may-be | Newajii-giizhigwebi (Sits on the Sky-break) | headman |
| 67 | Lac du Flambeau Band | Quay-quay-ke-cah | Gwekwekikaa (Keeps Turning) | headman |
| 68 | Bois Forte Band | Kay-baish-caw-daw-way | (Clear Round the Prairie) | 1st chief |
| 69 | Bois Forte Band | Way-zaw-we-ge-zhick-way-sking | Wezaawi-giizhigweshking (Sky-Yellower) | headman |
| 70 | Bois Forte Band | O-saw-we-pe-nay-she | Ozaawi-bineshiinh (Yellow Bird) | headman |
| 71 | Mississippi Bands | Que-we-san-se | Gwiiwizensi (Boy/"Hole in the Day") | head chief |
| 72 | Mississippi Bands | Caw-nawn-daw-waw-win-zo | Gaa-nandawaawinzo (Ripe-Berry Hunter) | 1st chief |
| 73 | Mississippi Bands | Waw-bow-jieg | Waabojiig (White Fisher) | 2d chief |
| 74 | Mississippi Bands | Ot-taw-waw | Odaawaa (Ottawa) | 2d chief |
| 75 | Mississippi Bands | Que-we-zhan-cis | Gwiiwizhenzhish (Bad Boy) | 2d chief |
| 76 | Mississippi Bands | Bye-a-jick | Bayezhig (Lone Man) | 2d chief |
| 77 | Mississippi Bands | I-yaw-shaw-way-ge-zhick | Aayaazhawi-giizhig (Crossing Sky) | 2d chief |
| 78 | Mississippi Bands | Maw-caw-day | Makode' (Bear's Heart) | 2d chief |
| 79 | Mississippi Bands | Ke-way-de-no-go-nay-be | Giiwedinogwanebi (Northern Feather) | 2d chief |
| 80 | Mississippi Bands | Me-squaw-dace | Miskwaadesi (Painted Turtle) | headman |
| 81 | Mississippi Bands | Naw-gaw-ne-gaw-bo | Naagaanigaabaw (Standing Ahead) | headman |
| 82 | Mississippi Bands | Wawm-be-de-yea | headman | |
| 83 | Mississippi Bands | Waish-key | Weshki (New One) | headman |
| 84 | Mississippi Bands | Caw-way-caw-me-ge-skung | Gaawekamigishkaang (Return Through the Ground) | headman |
| 85 | Mississippi Bands | My-yaw-ge-way-we-dun | Mayaajiiwewidang (One who carries the Voice) | 2d chief |