St. Croix Band of Lake Superior Chippewa The St. Croix Chippewa Reservation in northwest Wisconsin is scattered in a checkerboard of 11 separate communities over a four county area. Tribal headquarters is located in the Burnett County reservation community of Big Sand Lake, near the unincorporated village of Hertel. Today, reservation boundaries include about 3,000 acres of forested land and part of what is known as the "northwoods" of Wisconsin. About 2,000 tribal people call the St. Croix Reservation home. They are spread out throughout Barron, Burnett, Polk, and Washburn counties in Wisconsin and in Pine County in east central Minnesota. Numerous lakes touch the St. Croix Reservation, including Balsam, Bashaw, Big Sand, Sand, Big Round, Clam, Gaslyn, and Pike Lake. The St. Croix and Yellow Rivers also flow through the reservation. The Annual St. Croix Wild Rice Pow wow's has been in existence for more than 29 years. The three- day celebration takes place in late August at the "Zaa- Madj" Arena in Danbury, WI, behind the Hole in the Wall Casino, hosting drums and singers from all over North America. The celebration features drum and dance contests, huge feasts, as well as a large variety of food and craft vendors. One of the largest area employers, the St. Croix Tribal Enterprises, includes three casinos, a convenience store, government offices and a construction company. The St.Croix Casino and Hotel in Turtle Lake employs more than 1,000 people. The Hole in the Wall Casino and Hotel in Danbury employs more than 300, and the Little Turtle Hertel Express Convenience Store, Smoke Shop and Casino employs more than 45 people. The tribe also employs more than 450 members at the Tribal Center, which includes a health department with a full- time doctor and a dentist, the housing authority, a construction company, youth center, tobacco shop, government offices and a bingo hall. Take advantage of the many outdoor activities available in St. Croix. Enjoy fishing, boating, camping, sailing, golfing, hiking, sidewalk sales, street dances, Pow wow's and rodeos in the summer, and snowshoeing and cross- country skiing during the winter months. For more information, call (800) 236- 2195. Did You know Facts St. Croix Chippewa release an average of one million walleye fingerlings into 28lakes across five counties. The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin is the largest employer in Burnett County Wisconsin. The St. Croix Tribe and its governing body have made enormous strides in improving the quality of life for the reservation residents and surrounding communities.The tribe is devoted to the achievement of economic and social self-determination. Through oral tradition tells we know that the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and the Ottawa were once a single people. The "Anishinabe" as they were first called, migrated from the East to the Great Lakes. When they reached the Straits of Mackinac, the three tribes separated.The Ottawa, returned to the East, the Potawatomi went South and West, andthe Ojibwe continued west along Lake Superior and North into Canada. The St. Croix Waters Fishery The St. Croix tribal members have traditionally enjoyed a harmonious and spiritual relationship with fish, game and all natural resources given to the Anishinabe people by the Creator. In holding true to the tradition, it is our basic philosophy to fully use what is harvested and to replenish the natural resources taken to provide for future generations. The St. Croix Waters Fishery, in Danbury, Wisconsin, is owned and operated by the tribe and specializes in "Aquaculture" +the science, art and business of cultivating fish and shellfish. The 170,000 square-foot, $17 million facility is a state-of-the-art, recirculating aquaculture system. The St. Croix Chippewa release an average of one million walleye fingerlings into 33 lakes across five counties. The facility also produces approximately 3.3 million pounds of yellow perch each year. The operation uses 500 gallons of ground water a minute to grow the fish from fingerlings to market size, which is six to eight ounces. The fish are then processed, and shipped overnight to various market places. Future expansion plans include a new water treatment system and an advanced perch spawning facility. Projected improvements are valued at 2.5 million, with savings expected to exceed 1.75 million annually. The St. Croix tribal members have traditionally enjoyed a harmonious and spiritual relationship with fish, game and all natural resources given to the Anishinabe people by the Creator. In holding true to the tradition, it is our basic philosophy to fully use what is harvested and to replenish the natural resources taken to provide for future generations. The St. Croix Waters Fishery, in Danbury, Wisconsin, is owned and operated by the tribe and specializes in "Aquaculture" +the science, art and business of cultivating fish and shellfish. The 170,000 square-foot, $17 million facility is a state-of-the-art, recirculating aquaculture system. The St. Croix Chippewa release an average of one million walleye fingerlings into 33 lakes across five counties. The facility also produces approximately 3.3 million pounds of yellow perch each year. The operation uses 500 gallons of ground water a minute to grow the fish from fingerlings to market size, which is six to eight ounces. The fish are then processed, and shipped overnight to various market places. Future expansion plans include a new water treatment system and an advanced perch spawning facility. Projected improvements are valued at 2.5 million, with savings expected to exceed 1.75 million annually. "How the Rainbow Came to Be" A long, long time ago, when the first Native Americans were put on this earth, it was a peaceful and plentiful land. At that time, the natives could talk with the birds, animals, plants and flowers. Those were good times and a good way to live. One beautiful summer day, a young native girl was playing in the meadow with some of her birds and animal friends. She stopped to rest and sat on the soft green grass. A small rabbit, raccoon, fox and other animals sat nearby, with the birds on her lap and shoulder. She began to speak to them about the "Life Giver," the "Grand-father," the "Great Spirit" who gave them life and provided all the things that they needed to live a good life. She said, "This is a beautiful place, but there is another place more beautiful than this." The animals and birds asked, "Where is this place-" She told them about the "Happy Hunting" ground where they will all go when they die and their life is complete. They were all happy. At this time, she noticed that all the pretty colored flowers drooped their heads in sadness. "Why are you sad-" she asked. The flowers replied, "No place has been prepared for us to go when we die." The little girl said that she would speak with the "Great Spirit" and she did. The "Great Spirit" provided a place for the flowers; and that is why we have a rainbow today. When the pretty colored flowers die, their place in the rainbow is what makes the beautiful colors that we see. Attractions Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park Hwy. 35 North, 4 miles out of Webster to Cty. Hwy. U. West on Cty. U 2.5 miles. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Some winter events. (715) 866-8890 St. Croix Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 24663 Angeline Avenue Webster, WI 54893 Phone: (800) 236-2195 Fax: (715) 349-5768 http://www.stcroixcasino.com Lodging Information