Resisting Removal
By Colin Mustful
The Sandy Lake Tragedy of 1850
Resisting Removal is captivating and engaging for all the right reasons; talented historical storytelling at its finest.
– John Haymond, Historian and Author
At the onset of winter in 1850, four hundred Ojibwe died at Sandy Lake, Minnesota because of the negligence and ill-intents of U.S. government officials. For the next several years, the Lake Superior Ojibwe resisted removal from their homelands until the signing a new treaty that promised them permanent reservation homes.
In this captivating historical account, Kechewaishke, also known as Chief Buffalo, strives to defend his people against the incursions of white settlement and the underhanded removal efforts of agent John Watrous and Governor Alexander Ramsey. Supported by the white trader Benjamin Armstrong, Kechewaishke and the Ojibwe must overcome every possible obstacle, including the grief of those they’ve lost, to protect their homes and their way of life.
Discover the truth about this tragic past and the intentional exploitation of the Ojibwe people and culture. But also, come to understand the complexity of history and question whose story is really being told.
Praise for Resisting Removal
“Resisting Removal is the account of a nearly-forgotten tragedy of American history. Colin Mustful's unique approach to historical narrative and thorough research brings to life a story of political intrigue and bitter betrayal in this moving depiction of a people's desperate struggle to adapt to a changing, hostile world. Resisting Removal is captivating and engaging for all the right reasons; talented historical storytelling at its finest.”
- John Haymond, Historian and Author of The Infamous Dakota War Trials of 1862
Book Trailer – Resisting Removal: The Sandy Lake Tragedy of 1850
About the Author
Colin Mustful is an author, historian, editor, and publishing professional. He is the founder and editor of History Through Fiction, an independent press dedicated to publishing historical narratives that are both authentic and engaging. As a novelist, Mustful has written five works of historical fiction exploring the complex histories of settler-colonialism and Native displacement in Minnesota. His novel Reclaiming Mni Sota won the Midwest Book Award for Literary/Contemporary/Historical Fiction.
Alongside his writing, Mustful has built a career helping authors navigate the publishing process through editing, book coaching, and education. He holds an MA in history and an MFA in creative writing, and he frequently speaks on the craft and business of historical fiction. Residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he balances his professional work with running, playing soccer, and advocating for the importance of history in shaping a more just and sustainable future.