George Bonga: A Black Pioneer In Minnesota

Believed to be the first person of African descent born in the territory that would become Minnesota, George Bonga was a larger-than-life history maker. Educated in Montreal, Canada, George returned to the Leach Lake area of Minnesota to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps as a fur trader.
But his life took many twists and turns along the way.
Dive into more local history: tinyurl.com/minnesotahistory.
________________________________________________
Enjoy what you're watching? Subscribe now to see more Minnesota history, music, documentaries, and more: kzbin.info...
Instagram: / twincitiespbs
Facebook: / tptpbs
TikTok: / twincitiespbs
This content is made possible by viewers like you. Support Twin Cities PBS: www.tpt.org/give​.
#minnesotahistory #blackhistory #minnesota

[@caroletomlinson5480]

His grandfather, Jean Bonga, was not a trapper (re: “...just as his father before him, and grandfather...”), but a hosteler on Mackinac Island, after being freed from slavery in 1700s. AND, George did not JOIN the Ojibwes! He WAS one: born & raised in villages by his Ojibwe mother. The Ojibwe had not yet been forced to settle on fixed reservation lands until he was approaching middle age. Both the narrator and tribal historian might think again about history, and racial identity.

[@baileytyler3814]

Beautiful 😂😊

[@jbcustomdesignprint4862]

Hello where can I find the information on Jean Bonga? I can’t seem to find any primary or secondary sources to prove what you said above about him being freed from slavery in the 1700’s? Any information will help I am working on a project for school.

[@jameswilliams3241]

Thanks for this I was about to say the same thing, it's good to know there are those who spread truth

[@daphnerodriguez9980]

GEORGE BOBGA PIONEER BLACK 🌟

[@MarkBerg-tk8js]

Was he the black trapper eaten by wolves near Bemidji around 1904?

[@daphnerodriguez9980]

AMAZON THANKS YOU GOODNESS 🌟 REST 🌟🌈 BUGKO ❤️🖤💚🤎 FAMILY DAPHNE COTTON ALWAYS 💜,

[@Fondlingyourballs]

Jim jones

[@Fondlingyourballs]

Slaves anti got rights

[@A_Dude_From_Somewhere]

Like if you are here from a class

[@rubypage1407]

its ruby page

[@Fondlingyourballs]

NO WAY