06/03/2026
☀️ This week, Brainerd Sunrise Rotary welcomed Father Steve Schaitberger as our guest speaker.
Father Steve shared the fascinating history of the Rabbit River Indian Portage Trail, an important transportation route used by the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples long before roads connected our region. Through historical maps and research, he traced the trail’s path through the lakes, rivers, and portages of what is now the Brainerd Lakes and Cuyuna areas, highlighting its significance for travel, trade, and communication.
His presentation offered a unique glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and history that helped shape central Minnesota. It was a fascinating reminder that many of the routes we travel today have roots stretching back hundreds of years.
Thank you, Father Steve, for sharing your knowledge and helping us better understand the history of our region!