Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa The Red Cliff Reservation was created through a series of treaties between the Lake Superior Chippewa and the United States. The Red Cliff Tribe descended from the Madeline Island Chippewa Tribe. Today's reservation began as a small fishing village and the home of Chief Waub-O-Jeeg in the early 19th century. The Treaty of LaPointe established the Red Cliff Reservation in 1854 as a land grant to Chief Buffalo, principal Chief of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewas. The Reservation was expanded in 1866 by executive order of President Andrew Johnson. Red Cliff is known as "the hub of the Chippewa Nation." The reservation is approximately one mile wide and 14 miles long, located at the top of the Bayfield Peninsula, on the shores of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. Tribal offices and businesses are located in the village of Red Cliff, which is three miles north of Bayfield Wisconsin, a popular tourist community adjacent to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. There are more than 1,000 people living on the reservation, primarily Native American. Each July 4th weekend, the Red Cliff Pow-wow takes place across from Isle Vista Casino. The Pow-wow is a social occasion and an opportunity for good times, a chance to renew friendships and make new ones. A Pow-wow is an exhibition of virtuoso dancing with opportunities to participate, allowing participants and spectators alike to affirm the joy of life and the dignity of a living culture, while getting back in touch with the heartbeat of Mother Earth. The Red Cliff Pow-wow is open to all. Located in the heart of the reservation, along the shores of beautiful Lake Superior, is the Red Cliff Campground and Marina. It is within walking distance of the Isle Vista Casino, where indoor fun and excitement abound. Blackjack, slot machines, fine food and drink and live entertainment are the normal fare. The Isle Vista Casino offers the visitor a unique opportunity to learn about the Ojibwe culture during Cultural Days weekend, usually held the last weekend in July. This event is an open invitation for visitors to experience and share in such cultural expressions as a mini Pow-wow, arts and craft demonstrations and displays, hands on children's events, and a feast for everyone. The Isle Vista Casino makes a great stopping off point for snowmobilers and sightseers alike. Red Cliff is connected to the Bayfield County system of groomed snowmobile trails. Groceries and fuel are available. No matter what time of year, you will find great things to do for the entire family - exotic ice caves in winter and sandy beaches in the summer. Did You know Facts The biggest lake trout ever caught in the state was caught on Lake Superior in 1946. The monster weighed 47 pounds, 0 ounces. Approximately 5,000 people are enrolled members of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and nearly 1,100 people make their home on the reservation. The Red Cliff Tribe descended from the Madeline Island Chippewa Tribe. Today's reservation began as a small fishing village and home of Chief Waub-O-Jeeg in the early 19th century. Fishing continues to be the primary source of employment and is culturally significant to the Red Cliff Band. Because of its central geographic location, Red Cliff is known as "the Hub of the Chippewa Nation." Red Cliff Fish Hatchery Established in 1994, the Red Cliff Tribal Hatchery focuses on the reproduction and stocking of Lake Superior coaster brook trout and walleye. The hatchery has developed its own coaster brook trout brood stock (Lake Nipigon strain) with the assistance of the Dorian Fish Culture Station, Ontario. Egg production began in 1997. The brood stock has been successfully reproducing since. The Red Cliff Hatchery currently has the only brood stock for the Lake Nipigon strain coaster brook trout in the U.S. This season, the hatchery stocked 200,000 coaster brook trout. Designated as a Class A disease-free facility, the hatchery- main building houses an intensive coldwater production area. This includes an incubation area, fry tanks, a laboratory, and twenty large raceways for fingerlings and brood stockfish. The hatchery also produces walleye throughout the summer. Eggs and milt are obtained from fish speared during the spring spearing season. The fertilized eggs are transferred to the hatchery for incubation in either Bell jars or Big Redds. The hatchery has the capacity of incubating over eight million walleye eggs. Once hatched, walleye fry are transported to drainable rearing ponds. Walleye fry are reared to approximately six to seven inch fingerlings before being stocked. Annual production varies, but after construction activities are completed, production capacity should be 100,000 walleye fingerlings, one million walleye fry, 100,000 yearling lake trout, and 500,000 whitefish fingerlings. Great Buffalo Chief of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Great Buffalo was the hereditary chief of the LaPointe Ojibwes during the first half of the nineteenth century. He was well respected for his personal integrity, wisdom in council, power as an orator, and as a warrior. He went to Washington on several occasions and was especially prominent in the fight against the removal in 1849-1852. He signed the Treaty of 1854 that gave his people the Red Cliff Reservation in northwestern Wisconsin. Great Buffalo, also known as Chief Ke-che-waish-kee, Chief LeBoeuf, or Great Firstborn, was born about 1759 on Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands in southwestern Lake Superior. Great Buffalo was head of the Loon totem, which claimed to be the leading, or royal family among Ojibwes. Great Buffalo was baptized into the Catholic church on December 25, 1835 by Bishop Baraga at LaPointe. His godparents were Michael and Julia Cadotte. He died December 25, 1855 on Madeline Island. Two days later his casket was carried from his home at Middle Fort and taken to the nearby cemetery with a large assembly of Ojibwes following. After the chief- burial, Benjamin Armstrong ordered and placed a tombstone, which stands to this day, although damaged. His son, John Buffalo, eventually succeeded Great Buffalo as principal chief at the Red Cliff reservation. Over his lifetime, Great Buffalo witnessed a century of land loss by the Ojibwe people. Chief Buffalo is remembered amid the splendor of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., where his image is part of the large art collection honoring figures. Great Buffalo is one of three notable Wisconsin men represented; the others are Robert M. La Follette Sr., and Father Marquette. There are two busts of Chief Buffalo, one of marble carved from life in 1855, and one copied in bronze. Attractions Mazinaigan Waakaaigan Library Mural of Chippewa Life (Isle Vista Casino) Red Cliff Fish Hatchery Tours 2 miles North of Red Cliff on Hwy. 13. (715) 779-3728 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa P.O. Box 1167 Bayfield WI, 54814 Fax: (800) 226-8478 or (715) 779-3712 http://www.ruralisc.org/redcliff.htm Lodging Information