The St. Louis County Historical Society (SLCHS), with guidance from its American Indian Advisory Committee, is repatriating pipes and stems from its museum collections to their original owner, the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa.
Chief Joseph Maymushkowaush.
According to SLCHS museum records, the four pipe bowls and two stems were acquired in 1939. They are known to have belonged to the last hereditary Chief of Grand Portage, Chief Joseph Maymushkowaush. Therefore, they fall under the cultural significance portion of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) rules.
Representatives of the St. Louis County Historical Society and American Indian Advisory Committee will transfer the pipes to Grand Portage Band of Chippewa members at the Honor Our Elders Powwow on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Grand Portage Community Center.
“The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is grateful to the SLCHS and their dedicated efforts to return the pipe stems and bowls to us,” said April McCormick, Secretary Treasurer, Tribal Council Grand Portage Bank of Lake Superior Chippewa. She continued, “the return was made possible by the careful cataloguing work and advocacy by the American Indian Advisory Committee, a very special thank you to Michele Beeksma, Grand Portage Tribal member serving on this committee. In Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) and Anishinaabe culture, pipes are living beings; they are central to traditional ceremonies. They are also important to the history of leadership at Grand Portage. The repatriated items include a pipe once held by Joseph Louis Maymaushkowaush, the hereditary chief in the late 1800’s. Joseph inherited leadership from his grandfather Maymaushkowaush, who was one of the signatories of the Treaty of 1854. When a pipe was brought by Maymaushkowaush and other leaders to diplomatic settings, it demonstrates that they viewed treaties as sacred oaths between nations.”
“This transfer is an obligation and privilege for the Society. On behalf of the staff and Board of Governors, we are grateful for the guidance of our American Indian Advisory Committee” said Wayne Gannaway, executive director of the SLCHS.
The American Indian Advisory Committee is charged with implementing Society purposes regarding American Indian people. Its mission also includes:
1. To advise the Society on matters relating to the research, collection, preservation and interpretation of Minnesota and Minnesota Indian people’s history.
2. To assist in the planning, development and evaluation of such activities and initiatives as exhibitions, publications, public programs, curatorial policy, and access to data and information that pertain to Indian history and culture.
3. To serve as a resource and liaison between the Society and Indian peoples of the region.
Examples of SLCHS programs and exhibits developed in partnership with the American Indian Advisory Committee include:
• Native American Heritage Day, an annual family festival that provides a common space where all can learn about and experience some of our local Native American heritage. Scheduled for Saturday, November 21.
• Its newest traveling exhibit, entitled Sovereign Nations: Discovering the Treaty Story of Minnesota’s Indigenous Peoples, featuring the work of Ojibwe artist, Sam Zimmerman.
• Relocation and revitalization of its Lake Superior Ojibwe Gallery.
Learn more at www.thehistorypeople.org or email us at history@thehistorypeople.org.
