Western Sandcherry
Prunus besseyi
comes to mind.

It is a hardy native that can be grown in a variety of soil types. Likes full sun, so not sure if it will work for your exposure.

Here is a link that might be useful: sand cherry link

Hi Lynn I live further north and I have a Potentilla goldfinger (eastern exposure shade by noon) and some Red twig dogwoods(pretty in winter) as well as Bailey Compact cranberry bush (pretty berries, winter interest) that do well in the shade. You might need to water regularly first year to gets roots established.

Rita,

Do you have sand where they live?
The cabin's soil is sand..

Thanks guys!
Lynn

We have the same thing at our cabin near Crosby, the soil is pure sand. And not being up there to water makes it a challenge some times.

A few things I have had luck with are:

Chokeberry-rabbits like this one
Ninebark
New Jersey Tea-acts somewhat like a perennial
Snowberry

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
Ginkgonut, Where did you get the New Jersey Tea?
I have not heard of that before..
I am going to plant all of your other three suggestions.. up near Nevis/Park Rapids, MN,
Thanks!

Potentilla, Red Twig Dogwood, There is a new yellow Sumac but it is hard to find. I have several Snowballs but they get rather tall. Look at Stokes catalog, they have a bunch. Maybe you could amend your soil where you plant the shrubs.You might try Winterberry too.

NJ Tea is hard to find even though it grows wild up here. I bought them at Outback Nursery (specializes in native plants). It is out in the Afton area