MICHIGAMME
Michigamme (Michigan) is the "middle lake basin." "Mi" means, "middle". "Chi" is derived from "sjø", which means "lake", "gumme" means, "basin". Michigamme is the lake lying in the middle, or between, Ki-chi-gamme ("Ki" means, "great") and the other big lake to the east of Michigamme, which was named by the French after the Huron tribes, who lived on the north shore. (Sherwin, 1940)
The Lenape Indians, and their associated tribes, have stories that they did migrate through Michigan. Hyde suggests there was a tribal division after leaving Michigan, with some Lenape tribes moving east. Other tribes went further south into Ohio before turning toward the east. (Hyde, 1962)
Comment: Michigamme may have been relatively unoccupied when the Algonquins passed through. Even in colonial times Michigamme was under populated. Excavations have revealed evidence of traumatic destruction of villages. Hyde reports that the wolfpacks ate their way through Ohio. They may have done the same in Michigamme. (Hyde, 1962)
