Bemidji in Beltrami County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Leader & Peacemaker

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 7, 2023

1. Leader & Peacemaker Marker

Inscription.

Leader and Peacemaker. . , I wish you would listen in pity to my words for only a few moments. You see that I am now nothing but a corpse, but I will try to speak my mind to you. Regarding… our removal, what shall we do when we get there? How shall we manage to get ahead so that we can become self-supporting? How shall we subsist when you have anchored us there? We will be very much obliged to you if you will please state to us what we may expect when we get there and what our progress will be… , , Shaynowishkung, speaking at the Rice Commission Council at Gull Lake, questioning officials regarding attempts to remove all Ojibwe to White Earth, August 3, 1889, Look at me, whites… I have a good heart. I heard in Cass Lake today what the paper said about trouble again. I am not one that is going to fight; I don’t want to fight. , , Shaynowishkung as an elder, speaking about non-Indians having to leave town land where they had been illegally squatting, Cass Lake Times, June 29, 1899 , Newspaper accounts describe Shaynowishkung as an orator, a spokesperson and a man of wisdom and peace, who helped address difficult issues facing the people of Bemidji. Shaynowishkung became famous for his speech to assembled braves during the Dakota War “when by his reasoning he prevented the Chippewa from joining the Sioux in the historic New Ulm Massacre.” , Blackduck American, 1904, Through his words and actions, Shaynowishkung exemplified the traditional values of the Anishinaabe: , Humility, Truth, Courage, Honesty, Respect, Love, Wisdom , Truth-telling is the basis for the acknowledgement of injustice and suffering and the restoration of human dignity. This monument honors Shaynowishkung and the Anishinaabe people and encourages the healing of all people. , The honor of one is the honor of all. , , The Chief Bemidji Statue Committee, Gichi-miigwech to our Leadership Partners and to all whose gifts made this memorial possible: , , , , , , , City of Bemidji . George W. Neilson Foundation . Beltrami County . Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe . Joseph and Janice Lueken Family Foundation . Alan Brew . Carolyn Jacobs and Chuck Meyer . Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

I wish you would listen in pity to my words for only a few moments. You see that I am now nothing but a corpse, but I will try to speak my mind to you. Regarding… our removal, what shall we do when we get there? How shall we manage to get ahead so that we can become self-supporting? How shall we subsist when you have anchored us there? We will be very much obliged to you if you will please state to us what we may expect when we get there and what our progress will be…
—Shaynowishkung, speaking at the Rice Commission Council at Gull Lake, questioning officials regarding attempts to remove all Ojibwe to White Earth, August 3, 1889

Look at me, whites… I have a good heart. I heard in Cass Lake today what the paper said about trouble again. I am not one that is going to fight; I don’t want to fight.
—Shaynowishkung as an elder, speaking about non-Indians having to leave town land where they had been illegally squatting, Cass Lake Times, June 29, 1899

Newspaper accounts describe Shaynowishkung as an orator, a spokesperson and a man of wisdom and peace, who helped address difficult issues facing the people of Bemidji. Shaynowishkung became famous for his speech to assembled braves during the Dakota War “when by his reasoning he prevented the Chippewa from joining the Sioux in the historic New Ulm Massacre.”

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—Blackduck American, 1904

Through his words and actions, Shaynowishkung exemplified the traditional values of the Anishinaabe:
Humility, Truth, Courage, Honesty, Respect, Love, Wisdom
Truth-telling is the basis for the acknowledgement of injustice and suffering and the restoration of human dignity. This monument honors Shaynowishkung and the Anishinaabe people and encourages the healing of all people.

The honor of one is the honor of all.
—The Chief Bemidji Statue Committee

Gichi-miigwech to our Leadership Partners and to all whose gifts made this memorial possible:
—————
City of Bemidji • George W. Neilson Foundation • Beltrami County • Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe • Joseph & Janice Lueken Family Foundation • Alan Brew • Carolyn Jacobs & Chuck Meyer • Sanford Bemidji Medical Center

Erected 2015 by City of Bemidji.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Peace • Wars, US Indian.

Location. 47° 28.315′ N, 94° 52.763′ W. Marker is in Bemidji, Minnesota, in Beltrami County. It is on Bemidji Avenue North (State Highway 197) just north of 4th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north. The marker

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 7, 2023

2. Leader & Peacemaker Marker

Looking south along the Paul Bunyan State Trail. Lake Bemidji is in the left background.

is beside the Paul Bunyan State Trail, overlooking Lake Bemidji. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bemidji MN 56601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tragedy and Survival (here, next to this marker); Promises Made, Promises Broken (here, next to this marker); Shaynowishkung (a few steps from this marker); First Reserve Unit in the United States Called into Active Service in World War I (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paul Bunyan and Babe (about 500 feet away); Beltrami County History (approx. 0.2 miles away); Beltrami County (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bemidji.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . 10th Anniversary of Bemidji’s Shaynowishkung Statue Recognized (Youtube).

(By: Matthew Freeman) Excerpt: Shaynowishkung’s life spanned through three critical eras during which the Ojibwe lost over 96% of their land. On Saturday, the Beltrami County Historical Society wanted to show that Anishinaabe communities continue to practice and live a good life honoring the resilience shown by ancestors like Shaynowishkung.
“He always opened his arms
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 7, 2023

3. Shaynowishkung Memorial Landing
Looking east from the Paul Bunyan State Trail. Lake Bemidji is in the background. This is the rightmost of 4 related historical markers at this location.
and he lived through a great era with the treaties and allotment,” said Mariah Ortiz, a descendant of Shaynowishkung.
“He always was respectful and he wanted the peace between the settlers, and he always was opening and welcoming to them.”

(Submitted on December 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 45 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.