The Assassination of Hole in the Day
by Anton Treuer
“Though it may cost me my liberty, it is my duty, and I will continue to speak and act also, till the wrongs of my people shall be righted.” —Hole in the Day
A gripping historical investigation into power, leadership, and one of the most shocking assassinations in Ojibwe history.
In The Assassination of Hole in the Day, acclaimed Ojibwe historian and author Anton Treuer presents a groundbreaking biography of the influential nineteenth-century chiefs Hole in the Day (father and son)—and a compelling reexamination of a pivotal moment in Native American history.
Blending oral histories from more than fifty Ojibwe elders with deep archival research, Treuer offers a powerful and innovative approach to Indigenous history—one that centers Ojibwe voices, cultural context, and internal political dynamics.
A Murder That Shook a Nation
On June 27, 1868, Hole in the Day (Bagonegiizhig) the Younger set out from Crow Wing, Minnesota, bound for Washington, DC, to oppose the forced removal of the Mississippi Ojibwe.
He never made it.
Just miles from home, he was stopped by a group of Ojibwe men and fatally shot.
The assassination became national news, and speculation about its cause spread quickly:
Personal rivalry and jealousy
Political retaliation
Conflicts over leadership and authority
Disputes tied to removal policies and reservation politics
Later investigations revealed evidence pointing toward a far more complex and troubling possibility—a conspiracy involving members of the local business elite at Crow Wing.
Hole in the Day
A New Approach to Indigenous History
Rather than focusing solely on relations between Native people and the U.S. government, The Assassination of Hole in the Day explores:
Internal Ojibwe political dynamics
Relationships between Ojibwe and neighboring tribes, including the Dakota
The evolving role of leadership, clan systems, and governance
The cultural context shaping decision-making and conflict
Treuer reframes the story not just as a murder, but as a moment of transformation in Ojibwe leadership and sovereignty.
More Than a Biography
This book is both:
A vivid portrait of a charismatic and controversial leader, and
A deeply insightful analysis of a time when Ojibwe communities faced intense external pressure and internal change
It reveals how leaders like Hole in the Day navigated:
Treaty negotiations
Land cessions
Cultural survival
Political adaptation
A powerful and revealing history that reshapes our understanding of Ojibwe leadership and American Indian history.
Awards & Recognition
🏆 Winner, Award of Merit, American Association for State and Local History (2011)
🏆 Finalist, Minnesota Book Award (2011)
Praise for The Assassination of Hole in the Day
“An essential study of nineteenth-century Ojibwe leadership… infused with a powerful command over Ojibwe culture and linguistics.”
— Ned Blackhawk
“A masterful history… a powerful story of loss that reverberates in the present.”
— Louise Erdrich
“More than a murder mystery… provides insights into tribal governance, clan structure, and intertribal relations.”
— Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Highly recommended… provides insights into the challenges faced by Native peoples under federal pressure.”
— Library Journal
“Treuer delves into tribal history and the intricate machinations of Ojibwe politics.”
— Booklist
Anton Treuer Ojibwe historian author of The Assassination of Hole in the Day
Why This Book Matters
The Assassination of Hole in the Day challenges simplified narratives of Native history by showing:
Indigenous leaders as strategic actors and agents of change
The importance of internal politics and cultural frameworks
The complexity of Native responses to colonization
It is essential reading for:
Students and scholars of Native American history
Readers interested in political leadership and sovereignty
Anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Ojibwe history
Those drawn to true historical mysteries grounded in real events
About the Author
Anton Treuer is an Ojibwe historian, linguist, and author of numerous award-winning books on Indigenous history, culture, and language. His work brings together scholarship, storytelling, and community knowledge to illuminate Native experiences past and present.
Buy the Book
The Assassination of Hole in the Day
Available in paperback and ebook.
“He was the smartest Indian Chief the Chippewa Indians ever had.” —Augustus Aspinwall
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