Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

Tammie Linda Half Moon Women McDonnell was born Nov. 21, 1962, in Adrian, Michigan to Bernard Burke McDonnell (1927-2001) and Kathleen Ann Jackson McDonnell (1931-1984). Tammie was the youngest of three siblings: Diane, Mote, and Arlene.

Tammie’s grandparents were Joseph Thomas Ke Che Que We Zaince McDonnell (1900-1978) and Mabel Jean Nason McDonnell (1910-1990) and Alfred Robert Oshkinowe Jackson and Anna Charette Jackson (1900-1978).

Great-grandparents included Alexander Duncan McDonnell (1871-1939), Catherine May Kay Day Won Bioechel Wadenah McDonnell (1874-1956); Manley Henry Nason (1863-1921) and Susann Anna O Be Quad Roy Bunker (1877-1940) and Samuel Madison Critts (1875-1920) and Josephine Charette Critts (1876-1938). And Tammie’s great-great-grandparents were Alexander Cameron Sandy Ossian McDonnell (1825-1910), Margaret Stewart McDonnell (1830-1929), Wah-de-nah Biioechel (1846-1910), O Dak Qumm (1850-1891) and Aaron Hiram Hanscone Nason (1831-1882), Anna Marie Mathilda Boober Nason (1840-1917), and Peter Pdahkaykewunie Odahkay Roy (1816-1913) and Margaret Pahayjik Payyahjick Trottrechand Roy (1825-1919). Among her maternal line, Tammie’s great-great-grandparents included Joseph Iahbaykewenzie Wenjemahdub Critt (1836-1921), Ayn-dus-o-ge-shig-oquay (1844-1902) and John Sang-way-way Morgan (1852-1906) and Mary O-maum-e-quay McGuire Robertson (1857-1920).

At the age of 14, she moved to the Minneapolis area. Tammie was employed at McLaughlin, Gormley & King Company for eight years.

Tammie married the love of her life, Scott Steinmetz, on Aug. 31, 1996, and together they raised two beautiful daughters, Katie and Talsha. Tammie dedicated her life to her family, especially her grandchildren.

Tammie was passionate about her Native American culture and was a proud member of the White Earth Ojibwe Nation. All Indian tribes have names for themselves. The largest Indian group in Minnesota calls itself Anishinaabe, which means “the original people.” Europeans named them Ojibwe. No one is exactly sure how this name developed. Perhaps it came from the Anishinaabe word “ojib,” which describes the puckered moccasins worn by the people. Some Europeans had trouble saying Ojibwe, pronouncing it instead as Chippewa. But both these names refer to the same people. In Canada, the Anishinaabe call themselves Ojibwe. In the United States many tribal members prefer the name Chippewa, according to White Earth Nation History by Catherine M. Linda Knoch Foster.

White Earth Reservation is located in Becker, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties in north-central Minnesota. Created in 1867 by a treaty between the United States and the Mississippi Band of Chippewa Indians, it is one of seven Chippewa reservations in Minnesota. Although the White Earth Chippewa no longer live as their ancestors did, they have kept alive their tribal heritage. Almost every aspect of their present-day life has been strongly influenced by the past.

As is true for all Chippewa living in Minnesota, the story of the White Earth people begins in ancient times in the eastern part of the United States. There their ancestors lived before coming to the forest and lake country of eastern and northern Minnesota. To understand the history of White Earth Reservation, it is necessary to understand the times that went before. Much of the story of American Indian people has been left out of history books. Most of these books were written by white historians who thought that the history of this land did not begin until Europeans visited it. But Indians, including the Chippewa, had full, rich cultures long before that. And they played a key role in the history of this country and state.

Tammie’s favorite activities included boating, snowmobiling, and four-wheeling at the cabin. She enjoyed bird watching, and had special connections with animals, and loved to rescue them.

Tammie was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Kathleen McDonnell; and niece, Cristy Ann Wilt. She is survived by her husband, Scott; her children, Kathleen (Tyler) Clink and Talsha McDonnell; siblings, Diane (Don), Mote (Lori), Arlene (Joel); and many nieces and nephews. She was blessed with four grandchildren: Taliah, Julian, Jazlyn, and Alliyah.

Tammie Linda Half Moon Women McDonnell Steinmetz died at age 60 on Nov. 18, 2023, in Shakopee after a courageous battle with cancer.