Tribal nations within Minnesota
There are 11 federally recognized Indian Tribal governments that share geography with Minnesota. Each Tribe is a separate sovereign nation with its own government - unique unto itself and distinct from all other federally recognized Tribes.
Each Tribe has an independent relationship with the United States and the State of Minnesota. Minnesota recognizes the unique sovereign status of each of the 11 federally recognized Tribes and the cultural values of all American Indian Tribes in Minnesota, and is committed to strengthening the government-to-government relationship with the Tribes.
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
Zagaakwaandagowiniwag
"The men of the dense forest"
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Nahgahchiwanong
"Where the water stops"
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Gichi Onigaming
"The great carrying place"
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag
"Leech Lake"
Lower Sioux Indian Community
Cansa'yapi
"Where they mark the trees red"
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Misi-zaaga'iganiing
"The lake that spreads all over"
Prairie Island Indian Community
Tinta Wita
"Prairie Island"
Red Lake Nation
Miskwaagamiiwi-Zaagaiganing
"Red Lake"
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Mdewakanton
"Dwellers of the Spirit Lake"
Upper Sioux Community
Pezihutazizi Oyate
"When they dig for yellow medicine."
White Earth Nation
Gaa-waabaabiganikaag
"The place with abundance of white clay."