Grahams Island is a large island in Devils Lake, covering about 9 square miles. On this date in 1906, the Devils Lake Inter-Ocean reported on draft legislation that would reserve Grahams Island for the use of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
The plan was to set the land aside for homestead allotments.
Two years earlier, in 1904, the Turtle Mountain Chippewa had ceded to the United States all the land they still claimed in North Dakota. The only exception was small tract twelve miles long and six miles wide. At that time, it was stipulated that any Chippewa unable to secure land in that area could take claim of any vacant government land without charge. The Federal Government determined that Grahams Island was the only vacant land in the area. The Island had been used as a wood reservation for Fort Totten, but had since been abandoned.
The island’s name comes from Captain Duncan Graham, a Scotsman fur trader for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He arrived in North Dakota long before the influx of homesteaders. It’s thought that he arrived in the area of Devils Lake about 1810. He is acknowledged as the first white settler in the area. He settled on a piece of land near what is now the city of Devils Lake and built a trading post on the island. The Indians called him “Big Foot” and the island was called “Big Foot’s Island.”
Grahams Island is now home to a state park. There are ample opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking. The park hosts fishing tournaments on Devils Lake, which covers more than 100,000 acres and has walleye, northern pike, white bass, and perch. The area also attracts hunters in the fall as thousands of waterfowl migrate through this treasured recreation area.
Dakota Datebook written by Carole Butcher
Sources:
Devils Lake Inter-Ocean. “Grahams Island Given to Indians.” Devils Lake, ND. 6 April 1906. Page 1.
North Dakota Legendary. “Graham’s Island State Park.” http://www.ndtourism.com/devils-lake/cabins/grahams-island-state-park Accessed 9 March 2018.
Devils Lake Tourism. http://tourism.devilslakend.com/what-to-do/explore-history/ Accessed 9 March 2018.
John Fuller. “Captain Duncan Graham, A Historical Profile.” http://fuller.johnfullerofnewton.com/histories/Graham%2C%20Duncan%20History130927.pdf Accessed 9 March 2018.
