Vineland in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Water is Life

Photographed by McGhiever, May 29, 2025

1. Water is Life Marker

Inscription.

Lakes and waterways are essential to Ojibwe life and culture.

Anishinaabe have always used lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands as transportation routes. These waters are also important sources of food and medicine.

Gathering wild rice west of Onamia, Minnesota. Photograph by Ralph LaPlant, early 2000s

A wealth of resources

Anishinaabe use lines and hooks, spears, and nets to catch fish throughout the year. Manoomin (wild rice) is an important nutritional and spiritual staple of Native diets. It grows in lakes and rivers throughout the Midwest.

Waterfowl and animals living in and near water are trapped for food and furs. Plants that grow in the water and along the shores are also sources of food and medicine.

Martin Kegg ice fishing at Misi Zaga'igaan (Mille Lacs Lake), 1948. Photograph by Monroe Killy

Erected by Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 46° 10.554′ N, 93° 45.34′ W. Marker is in Vineland, Minnesota,

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in Mille Lacs County. It can be reached from the intersection of Oodena Drive and U.S. 169, on the right when traveling east. The marker is at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, on the lawn overlooking Mille Lacs Lake. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 43411 Oodena Drive, Onamia MN 56359, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

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,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Medicine Garden (a few steps from this marker); Okosimaan (within shouting distance of this marker); Mandaamin (within shouting distance of this marker); Meet the Three Sisters (within shouting distance of this marker); Mashkodiisiminag (within shouting distance of this marker); Harry & Jeannette Ayer House (within shouting distance

Water is Life Marker overlooking Mille Lacs Lake image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, May 29, 2025

2. Water is Life Marker overlooking Mille Lacs Lake

of this marker); Tourist Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Mille Lacs Indian Boat Works (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vineland.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.