Noquet Lodge Website The History of Chippewa Lodge Bear Claw Recipe
More than 180,000 members strong, the Order of the Arrow recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The OA can help strengthen troops by providing leadership training and opportunities for OA members and by assisting in summer camp promotion, camporees, Scout shows, and other activities. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others.
Chippewa Lodge was formed in the, then, Macomb Council at Camp Rotary (now Wolcott Mill Group Camp) near Mt. Clemens on July 30, 1927, it was the first Lodge in Michigan. There were 10 members on the original charter of the Lodge. Members were then elected and inducted at summer camp. At that time Lodge #29 was referred to by its members as "The Lodge."
The first annual meeting was held at Pontiac High School in 1945. All of our early chiefs were over 21, Chippewa Lodge however, was one of the earliest lodges in the country, and the first in Michigan, to switch to having youth (under 21) as chiefs and officers.
The Wolverine was chosen as our totem about 1931, and it remains to this day. it was also at that time that the name Chippewa appeared. The name was taken from the French word for the Ojibwa Indians (a prominent Indian tribe of the area) and means "to roast till puckered up", referring to their moccasins.
In 1936 when Macomb Council merged with Pontiac Council, the Lodge became chartered to Clinton Valley Council. The old Pontiac Council did not have an O-A Lodge. The Lodge then started to make Camp Agawam their home.
The first patch issued by the Lodge was in the late 1940's. It was arrowhead in shape, red twill background, yellow lettering, with a yellow hand of friendship superimposed on a white arrowhead. The black arrow and peace-pipe crossed in the back showed that we should live like the arrow, straight and taut, the peace-pipe symbolized that we should live in harmony with our brothers in the Order and reminds us of our Indian heritage.
Our first flap shaped patch came into being in 1954-55. It was similar to today's except much larger. The flap was restricted to two for life, however, in 1960 the restriction was lifted. In 1978 due to national requirement the Lodge added a fleur-delis to the flap making it gold in color to remind us of our fifty years of continuous service to Scouting and the Order.
In the early 1960's the Lodge had a Lodge Distinguished Service Award consisting of a red feather on a thong, used as a neckerchief slide. In 1969, the Lodge started the O.D. Bostwick Award (named after our long-time Agawam Ranger and friend) given to those who help the Clinton Valley Camping Program.
In 1971 the Lodge earned the E. Umer Goodman Award, a national camp promotion award. In the 1980's the Lodge became a leader of the Order both on the state and national level. Chippewa earned the Section Coup Stick for 8 years; earned the Decourcy award 2 years, and won the Section Ceremonies every year from 1974. At three National Conferences Chippewa Ceremonies have placed in Honor Lodge status winning as high as 3rd. place. Several members of the Lodge winning lst place individually. - William Fortier
William Fortier was a longtime supporter of the local Boy Scout program and the Order of the Arrow. He grew up as a youth in Chippewa Lodge and continued on as an adult. He was a Macomb Chapter Advisor, a Lodge Advisor, and also a Section Advisor. He was one of only two people from Chippewa to receive the nationally awarded Distinguished Service Award. Among these many high achievements, William Fortier worked at Lost Lake Scout Reservation almost all his life. "The Rifle Guy" influenced the lives of the many scouts and staff members with whom he has worked. Mr. Fortier passed away in 2009. In 2010 a campership was created by Chippewa in his memory.