The History of Ross Indian Village, Dieter Township, Minnesota 1887 – Before Roseau Incorporated

Native settlers were known to live in the area along the Roseau River long before the French settlers discovered the region. A unique Indian village existed from 1887 until the early 1900s under chiefs Cobenais and Mickinock, who maintained several camps along the Roseau River in northern Minnesota. The main village was located on the shores of Roseau Lake, which was drained for agriculture in the early 20th century.

Mickinock was famous for quelling a settler panic during the Ghost Dance phenomenon. Local white settlers heard a rumor that there would be an Indian uprising, and they fled their homes, leaving their livestock. Mickinock, Cobenais, and others fed and watered the livestock of several farms until word could be sent that there was no uprising. This saved the livestock from starvation.

There was also a legend of a windigo that supposedly lived in the muskeg around the lake. One day, it was reported that the windigo could be seen walking near the village, and the next day, Mickinock’s wife died.

This photo, taken in 1887, shows Cobenais (wearing a green blanket around his waist), Mickinock (holding a rifle), their wives, and other relatives. The man standing with the little girl is a Metis named Billy McGillis. He was originally from the Red River settlement but was forced to flee when he was accused of murder. He wound up south of the Medicine Line at Mickinock’s village and stayed, becoming their interpreter as he knew English.