Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Open Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology (MS)

Administrative Home Department

Department of Social Sciences

Advisor 1

Melissa F. Baird

Committee Member 1

Carol A. MacLennan

Committee Member 2

Michelle E. Jarvie-Eggart

Abstract

Land rematriation and cultural revitalization are crucial to addressing the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous communities, particularly for the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The National Register of Historic Places and federal recognition processes have traditionally marginalized Indigenous practices and land claims, yet, as I argue in this thesis, they hold potential for reappropriation in support of sovereignty and heritage. This thesis argues that integrating Indigenous methodologies, geospatial research, and archival analyses can forge a path toward effective land rematriation efforts. My findings reveal culturally significant sites connected to the historic village of Getegitigaaning, helping to create a comprehensive homelands territory map that emphasizes Indigenous stewardship and resource gathering beyond colonial boundaries. By highlighting the importance of these sites, this research underscores the necessity of acknowledging and protecting Indigenous landscapes. This thesis provides a model for other tribes to reclaim their heritage and rights in the face of colonial legacies. Ultimately, this study contributes to broader discussions on Indigenous sovereignty and cultural revitalization and provides a framework to reclaim ancestral lands in the context of contemporary challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

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