Celebration set to mark 10 years of Chief Bemidji statue
Commonly known as "Chief Bemidji," he gained the title among settlers as they mistook the lake's name, Bemijigamaag, as his own.
To honor the charismatic leader, Bemidji erected the Chief Shaynowishkung statue that stands at Library Park along Paul Bunyan Drive with Lake Bemidji as a backdrop, roughly a century and a half after he placed his stake in the region.
His statue has stood strong and tall for 10 years.
The Beltrami County Historical Society, in partnership with the Bemidji Statue Committee, will host a celebration to honor the statue's 10th anniversary at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, at Library Park.
"This special event honors a decade of reflection, remembrance and recognition of Shaynowishkung, an Ojibwe leader whose presence continues to shape our understanding of local history, diplomacy and cultural respect," a release said.
The ceremony will begin with a brief presentation at the statue, followed by a guided walk to Shaynowishkung's historic home site near The Coffee District, east of the Mississippi River between Lake Bemidji and Lake Irving.
Participants will then return via the rail trail to the Beltrami County History Center.
Elaine Fleming, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe elder, activist and former Cass Lake mayor, will offer a public program about Shaynowishkung's life, legacy and importance. Fleming is a founding member of the Bemidji Truth and Reconciliation group and has been an influential voice in place-name restoration, Indigenous language revitalization and community healing.
The history center welcomes all to the free event. Refreshments will be served at the history center following the program.
A limited number of wheelchairs will be available. Additionally, a shuttle bus ride from the history center to the program and back will be available for those at the center before the load time at 9:45 a.m. Those who need to reserve a wheelchair can send an email to
depot@beltramihistory.org
or call
(218) 444-3376.
For more information on the event or other summertime history center events, visit
beltramihistory.org.
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