Grand Portage flag unveiled in courtroom of Cook County Courthouse

Chuck Olsen | June 3, 2024

The sound of Stonebridge Singers filled the courtroom on the second floor of the Cook County Courthouse on Friday, May 31, marking the start of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Flag Dedication Ceremony. The seats were filled with community members, elected officials, and Grand Portage tribal members to witness the ceremony.

“It is my honor today to help dedicate and permanently install the flag of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa inside this courtroom,” said Judge Steven Hanke of the Sixth Judicial District. “I want to start by thanking and acknowledging Grand Portage Tribal Chair Robert ‘Bobby’ Deschampe. This was really his idea.”

Chair Deschampe was unable to attend, but Grand Portage Tribal Council Vice-Chair Agatha Armstrong read a statement from Deschampe:

Good morning and welcome. On behalf of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, I’d like to thank everybody for attending today.

Having our nation’s flag in the Cook County courtroom is important for many reasons. When people are in this courtroom and see our flag, they will know that we are here with them. We look forward to continuing to build our relationships with Cook County, and I’d like to sincerely thank Judge Hanke for working to make this happen and his continued respect for the Grand Portage Band and the Grand Portage people.

WTIP’s Chuck Olsen interviewed Vice-Chair Armstrong and Judge Hanke after the ceremony. Photos and interview audio are below.