Recently invited to speak at the Linnell Family Association Reunion at the Grand Portage Lodge on Saturday, June 23, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Elder Billy Blackwell shared some of the American Indian history of the area. Blackwell noted a long history of cooperation with the Linnell family and other residents of the long-gone town of Mineral Center. He said not all people who came to Grand Portage were respectful of the land and its people and he spoke of conflicts with the government. Blackwell shared this photo with the Cook County News-Herald of a friendly encounter. The picture was taken at the foot of “Rose Hill” in about 1885. The note on Blackwell’s historic photo reads, “The white men had just come by boat from LaPointe (Ashland) Wisconsin with the treaty issue. The Indians stopped their game of lacrosse to have their picture taken by the photographer. They have the blankets on given to them by the Indian agents.” Blackwell adds that Grand Portage Tribal Leader Mike Flatte is pictured, sixth from the left in the back row.
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