Bois Forte Veteran’s Memorial

Project
Summary

The Veteran's Memorial, constructed by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa honors all warriors named and unnamed who forever defended their lands and people. The memorial was one of the first of its kind in Minnesota honoring Native American veterans and their service. Veterans’ names and military service branches are inscribed on four pairs of 4.2’ wide by 6’ tall stones made from Minnesota Mesabi black granite. The memorial’s foundation is a 65’ diameter concrete circle. An inner circle is composed of four colors; white, red, yellow, and blue/black - which have traditionally represented the four directions, the four seasons, and the four races of people. A central 12’ diameter plinth displaces the Bois Forte logo and reinforces the circle design. An arrow projects through the memorial toward Spirit Island. A stone podium at the entrance features a shelf with a granite bowl for tobacco offerings. The project was developed in a community-based design process with input from Bois Forte Veterans, Elders, Spiritual Advisors, and Band Members as well as Band Planning Staff and Tribal Council. The Planning Process took nearly three years, but included detailed preparation and planning to ensure the cultural and spiritual aspects of the design were done in a respectful manner. A main feature of the design is its relationship to Spirit Island, which is in the background of the memorial and is considered Bois Forte’s most sacred place.

The Brief

Architecture, Planning

The Build

Design-Bid-Build – General Contract

Completion

2021

Size & Cost

4,000 S.F.
$250,000