1. Pre-European

Land known for its lakes, but river defined,
The wilderness broached by paddles and oars,
As new land is now revealed to mankind,
Broad waterways opened up unexplored shores.

From the beginning, 'twas land that was blessed
With forests where many animals roam
And fish-filled waters for anglers to test.
A place indigenous peoples called home.

The Black Duck, makers of effigy mounds,
Have lived and prospered for nine thousand years.
Their sacred lands and tribal hunting grounds
Contain their ancient arrowheads and spears.

Then came Ojibwa, Cherokee, and Sioux,
To gather the moose, hare, beaver and bear,
The turtles, wolves, and the buffalo too.
All there for taking as food, use, or care.

These various cultures waged wars, yet thrived
Before the Europeans first arrived


2. Great Lakes Exploration

Before the Europeans first arrived
The natives lived by custom, wits and chance.
The legends of contact rumors survived -
Maybe the Vikings, but certainly France.

The French were already in Canada,
The St. Lawrence River, had founded Quebec,
And had brave explorers with stamina,
To go on any adventurous trek.

Among the first, Etienne Brule,
Who followed the St. Lawrence River trace.
He sailed the Great Lakes, where Indians say
The sacred Great Spirit founded their race.

Then De LaSalle sailed along shoreline banks
With Hennepin, to seek a passage north.
They built a boat out of wooden planks.
The "Griffon" named, it quickly sallied forth.

They soon encountered huge Niagara Falls.
So noted, in Hennepin's diary scrawls.



3. Northern Mississippi River Discovery

So noted, in Hennepin's diary scrawls.
Just one of many appear in his book.
LaSalle sent him on, while he built fort walls,
In hopes to give Mississippi a look.

With two companions in birch-bark canoe,
The three set off into the vast unknown
Down Illinois River. They found it too!
That mighty river had finally shown.

He claims he sailed to Gulf of Mexico,
Then all the way back to Minnesota.
Historians argue, "Where did he go?"
He was detained for years by Dakota.

The Sioux kept him captive, traveled with them.
He saw it, and named St. Anthony falls.
Today it's a Minneapolis gem.
Back then, an item his memoir recalls.

The most famous facts historians draw --
Two North American falls that he saw.


4. Duluth Makes Way for Fur Traders

Two North American falls that he saw
Became his most notable legacy.
Remember, he's under his captive's paw
And needed release from captivity?

Well, that fact's this tale's most notable truth.
Then from the garrison at Montreal
Comes Daniel Graysolon, Sieur Du Lhut
To negotiate Hennepin's recall.

He was an intrepid interpreter,
Negotiated many Indian truce,
Superior's new fortress outfitter,
His treaties set northern fur traders loose.

They settled the region, married within
The chief's blessings, the women of the tribes.
A brand new culture, the Meti, begin
To live among them, as record describes.

And so we find cultural unity,
A French and Indian community.


5. The French Claim

A French and Indian community
That lasted until other nations came.
'Twas culture blended with impunity,
Without a bit self-consciousness or shame.

The upper river was mapped by Marquette,
La Salle, for France, declared a large land claim,
The whole Mississippi basin was set
To become a part of French King's domain.

"New France" was what this area was called,
But map creators named it for the King,
So Louis XIV's name was installed.
"Louisiana" had a better ring.

Now, while all this claiming was going on,
The priest explorers mapped, wrote, taught and held
Their services, in spots they came upon.
Their knowledge of peoples and regions swelled.

The priests were transcribing America
Within its vast uncharted area.



6. The Voyageurs

Within its vast uncharted area
Was land Minnesota finally became.
Where waterways with the criteria
Have beavers that brought voyageur acclaim.

Through woods, streams, and lakes, they'd paddle all day
And portaged with large canoes on their backs
In the pristine BWCA.
Their legends live in historical tracts.

The Sixteen Hundreds were the eras when
The Frenchman thrived in forests and on lakes.
There weren't many towns or forts back then.
They lived on the wild paths that nature takes.

Respecting people and environment,
The fur-traders and the bold voyageurs,
Who opened ways for future settlement
Followed the lead of those first explorers.

That type of person was never content
To live anywhere but teepee or tent.

7. Legacy

To live anywhere but teepee or tent,
Where wind rules the waves in the bays,
They traveled the rivers, the lakes, these men
Who left their marks where their influence stays.

Along with others who much later came
To search Minnesota's interior
A Wisconsin river bears Brule's name.
Its rapids flow into Superior.

You'll see Hennepin in many a place
Nearby St. Anthony's falls, that he named,
And Father Marquette's names frequently grace
Those charts in parts that his trip maps proclaimed.

And Daniel Greysolon, don't forsooth
His role exploring the unknown Great Lakes.
His name recalled in the Port Town, Duluth,
A fit reward for his journey's high stakes.

All brave men who traveled water to find
Land known for its lakes, but river defined.

Minnesota.