Warroad has a proud heritage and history and in no place is it more prevalent than in our passion for our community and sports. 

Kah-Bay-Kay-Nong is the Ojibwa word for Warroad. Respected leader, elder, and hockey legend Henry Bou­cha’s great great great grandfather, Ay-Ash-A-Wash, is considered the first chief of Warroad and Buffalo Point (just over the border in Manitoba, Canada) and led the Ojibwa in battles against the Sioux on the “War-Trail” that traveled to the west from Lake of the Woods. Warroad got its name from the War-Trail, a place of honor for the Ojibwa/Anishinaabe.

“Na-May-Poke, son of Ay-Ash-A-Wash, sold part of his land allotment to the Warroad School. A wise elder, Na-May-Poke wanted the name Warroad Warriors instilled for the school in honor of our ancestors’ blood that was given to keep the land in Warroad and on Lake of the Woods. In the early 1990s, when the Civil Liberties Union wanted the Warroad Warriors to change its name, we stood our ground like our ancestors, and kept the in honored of our fallen Warriors. In that honor, the local Ojibwa/Anishinaabe Indian Community and the Indian Parent Committee (LIEC) designed the logo now used at Warroad High School, and along with the Indian Education Department, supported the name Warroad Warriors.”

in 2014, Boucha shared this story with the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media, explaining the deep and honorable connection the “Warriors” have to our local history.  This history was then celebrated with the national organization with a pipe ceremony, honor, song, and a re-dedication of the Warroad logo that included the entire student body and many members of our community.

You may have heard the phrase “Hocketown USA™” and if you thought it meant Warroad, you were right.  The famous moniker has been use to reference our town since the 1950s and now we have permission to officially use it and claim it. Warroad now has eight Olympians to its credit and we are so proud of Gigi Marvin and T.J. Oshie for representing the United States so well in Sochi.

On your next visit, we invite you to take a walk through the Warroad Heritage Center or the Wm. S. Marvin Training and Visitor Center. When you’re at a hockey game, enjoy all the history that has been compiled and displayed right in the Gardens and Olympic arenas. Check out our newly painted water tower with the hockeysticks and take in any of the Warroad Warriors sporting events.

We are honored to share our heritage with you. If you have any questions or need help locating area community businesses or services, please call 800.328.4455 or email wcoc@wiktel.com.