For many of us, our history lessons growing up (and even now as adults) haven’t included the full story of what really happened. And while curriculums in schools across Cook County, the state of Minnesota, and some parts of the country are working to adopt more of the historical truth, that doesn’t necessarily address those of us who are now grown-up and out of school.

Continued learning is an important component of acknowledging mistakes of the past, how previous actions have impacted groups of people, and how to best move forward with a new understanding. This is true in general, but in this case, a reason why Cook County Higher Education is hosting three sessions with Dr. Jacob Jurss, a scholar of early American history and Indigenous treaty rights, on “Exploring the origins of U.S. federal Indian policy in settler colonialism, with a particular focus on Ojibwe relations in the Great Lakes.”

Mary Harrelson, a Grand Portage Band Member and the person largely responsible for bringing Dr. Jurss in to teach these sessions, told Boreal Community Media that “Jacob does a thorough job of laying a foundation of the history of the treaties and how they continue to impact tribal nations today. As a white man, married to a tribal descendent from White Earth, Jacob wanted to share the knowledge he carries in a respectful manner, acknowledging his role as a non-tribe member.”

One of the treaties still impacting tribal nations today includes The Doctrine of Discovery, a public decree issued by the Pope of the Catholic Church, which played a crucial role in the impact experienced back then and still today. According to Harrelson, “It was interpreted that if someone was not a part of the Christian Church, their land was available to take, their souls were in jeopardy and they should be assimilated or annihilated.  Last year the church acknowledged this was wrong but has not addressed the ramifications.”

Part of Mary’s hope in bringing Dr. Jurss to the area is to provide an opportunity to help the tribe heal from a past “Full of betrayal and lies.”

“Band members, descendants, and tribal community were invited to a series of three presentations in the old log building. Cultural food - wild rice, fry bread, roasted root vegetables, and blueberries - was shared. The meeting was not recorded. People shared stories of their relations, their families, and how these treaties impacted them and Grand Portage. The hope is that the community will be strengthened and healed as we journey together,” she added. 

As word spread about Dr. Jurss presenting in Grand Portage, Harrelson shared that there was a lot of interest in the topic. However, because the sessions in Grand Portage are important for healing, they were not open to the general public. 

This is where Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) comes in. They were contacted about the possibility of hosting the same three sessions that Grand Portage is receiving, but these are open to the public and recorded for people to look back on. Kelsey Kennedy, Program Director for CCHE, shared that people can walk away from these sessions with more potential knowledge and understanding of how history and laws have affected all of us and continue to do so today. “Think of it as a unique opportunity to better understand our past and its impact on our present. Embracing the exploration of challenging topics is like embarking on a journey where each step counts. During these presentations you don't have to ask questions or interact if you don't feel comfortable - give yourself the grace to fumble forward in learning,” she added.

Harrelson shared she “Believes people will walk away from this series with feelings of sorrow, frustration, and anger at the trail of betrayals, lies, and cheating left behind. The third, and last presentation ends with Jacob asking, “Where do we go from here? How do we understand the native people trying to heal and reclaim their heritage?”

Funding for the series comes from a variety of sources. Mary wanted to specifically acknowledge the Environmental Initiative, a Minnesota-based non-profit, that has helped move the series forward and also supports Dr. Juress in his endeavors, including “Financially supporting his presentations at Grand Portage so people could participate in Grand Portage for free. Natalie Rademacher, Communication Director, has facilitated much of the groundwork,” she added. 

Another major funder is the Lloyd K Johnson Foundation. “The question of how the foundation acquired its wealth, and how the board wants to think about that going forward is challenging,” Harrelson said. 

Boreal Community Media reached out to the Lloyd K Johnson Foundation to ask about the question of acquiring its wealth and spoke with Erik Torch, Executive Director of the Foundation.

“The Lloyd K Johnson Foundation board and staff have been committed to and engaged in extensive learning about the history of Mr. Johnson’s businesses, and how Federal Indian policy allowed for the dispossession of land and decimated the people and culture at Grand Portage and other Native Nations across the United States. We are approaching this journey with humility, respect for the Ojibwe people, and a commitment to learn all the facets of this history. Moving forward we hope, and are working, to be a good partner with the Grand Portage Nation and its people, and to support their thriving community as part of our mission to enhance the quality of life in communities along the North Shore of Lake Superior.”

Torch added that “We are happy to support this learning, and encourage people to participate. I attended the first session and found it powerful and am looking forward to tonight’s session. We’ve had some other staff and board members attend as well, and appreciate that the sessions are recorded so those who couldn’t make it can attend.”

Funding also came from the Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa.

The first of the three sessions took place on October 4, 2023, but you can find the recording from Cook County Higher Education here.

The second session takes place on October 25 and will cover “Significant historical turning points that have had a lasting impact on federal Indian law. We'll examine pivotal events such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Dakota-U.S. War of 1862, the Homestead Act of 1862, and the Dawes Act of 1887. Additionally, we'll explore subsequent developments in federal Indian law,” according to the CCHE website. You can learn more and register here.