Minnesota writer Barry Babcock is the author of Teachers in the Forest. His new book is Bonga: A Safe Abode in the Wilderness.
In this book, Babcock retraced the history of the Bongas, descendants of an African slave, and credits them for being a positive influence on the early formation of Minnesota history.
In a recent What We're Reading interview, Babcock talked about how his travels to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness led to him wanting to know more about the natural history of Northern Minnesota, the biology of the plant and animal communities, and the human history.
The more I found out about the Bongas, the more I was impressed.Writer Barry Babcock
Babcock found the lack of historical literature on the Bonga family frustrating and challenging. As he got into some old letters and documents from the Minnesota Historical Society and pieced those together, however, he was able to discern how important the family was to the region.
Babcock noted the Bongas were well-known and revered for their physical strength, as well as their skills as interpreters, fur traders and entrepreneurs.
An enduring contribution made by George Bonga, specifically, was his actions to protect the giant pines in the Chippewa National Forest.
Babcock explained that Bonga stepped in when he saw timber companies were stealing trees from Native Americans in the area and used his influence to get the right people to stop it.
"You see these big, beautiful old growth pines in the Cass Lake area around Pike Bay — they wouldn't be there if it wasn't for George Bonga," Babcock said.
Bonga: A Safe Abode in the Wilderness can be purchased at the Beltrami County Historical Society or Four Pines Bookstore in Bemidji.
Looking for a good book recommendation? Want to recommend a book you've just read? Check out our What We're Reading page on Facebook, or text us at 218-326-1234.
What We're Reading is made possible in part by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
