<p>Minnesota is home to seven Anishinaabe (otherwise known as Chippewa or Ojibwe) communities and four Dakota (Sioux) communities. Typically, the Ojibwe tribes occupied the northern part of the state, while Dakota tribes resided in the southern portion. These Native tribes occupied various areas of the state beginning about 9,000 to 12,000 years ago. Because Minnesota was abundant in wildlife and nutrient-rich soil, tribes relied on bison, deer, vegetables, and nuts to survive. Eventually, Native communities learned how to use the numerous waterways for transportation, food, and the creation of an extensive trade network with other communities along the Mississippi River. Also, tribes throughout Minnesota were known for creating durable, innovative tools for hunting, fishing, and war. </p>
