Mille Lacs Indian Museum

The Mille Lacs Indian Museum documents the life and traditions of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe through exhibits, artifacts, and photographs spanning generations. The collection displays everyday objects alongside handcrafted items that illustrate how the community sustained itself over time.

The museum was established in 1959 when Harry Ayer donated buildings, land, and over 2,200 artifacts to the Minnesota Historical Society. This founding created the basis for preserving and sharing the Ojibwe story for future generations.

The Four Seasons Room displays traditional Ojibwe crafts like beadwork, weaving, and birch-bark baskets through life-size dioramas that show how the community lived across the year.

The museum includes a trading post where visitors can purchase handmade Native American artwork, crafts, jewelry, pottery, and educational materials. This shop offers a practical way to support local artisans while learning about their work directly.

The exhibits present information in both English and Ojibwe languages, blending traditional knowledge with modern display methods. This bilingual approach allows visitors to encounter the story as the community itself tells it.