While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
Migrating from the East late in the sixteenth or early in the seventeenth
century, the Chippewa, or Ojibwas, settled first about the Falls of Saint Mary,
from which point they pushed still farther westward, and eventually compelled
the Dakotas to relinquish their ancient hunting-grounds about the headwaters of
the Mississippi and of the Red River of the North. Were first known to the
French, about 1640, who called them Sauteux, from the place of their
residence about Sault Ste. Marie, a name still applied to them by the Canadian
French. They were then living in scattered bauds on the banks of Lake Superior
and Lake Huron, and at war with the Foxes, Iroquois, and Dakotas, becoming
thereby much reduced in numbers. Were firm allies of the French in all of their
operations against the English, and took a prominent part in Pontiac's uprising.
During the revolutionary war they were hostile to the colonists, but made a
treaty of peace with them at its close. They again sided with the English in the
war of 1812, but joined in a general pacification with a number of other tribes
in 1816. Like other tribes, they gradually ceded their lands to the Government,
receiving in return annuities and goods, until in 1851 all but a few bands,
retaining but moderate reservations, had removed west of the Mississippi.
"The Chippewa, now numbering 19,606, formerly ranged over Michigan, Wisconsin,
and Minnesota, and with common interests, and acknowledging more or less the
leadership of one controlling mind, formed a homogeneous and powerful nation: a
formidable foe to the Sioux, with whom they waged incessant warfare, which was
checked only by the removal of the Minnesota Sioux to Dakota after the outbreak
of 1863."
The collecting of the Chippewa upon thirteen reservations, scattered over the
above-named States, under five different agencies, has so modified the esprit
du corps of the tribe that, though speaking the same language and holding
the same traditions and customs, the bands located in different sections of the
country have few interests and no property in common, and little influence or
intercourse with each other. The agency has taken the place of the nation, and
is in turn developing the individual man, who, owning house, stock, and farm,
has learned to look solely to his own exertions for sup port. No tribe by
unswerving loyalty deserves more of the Government, or is making, under
favorable conditions, more gratifying progress; 9,850 of the tribe Jive in
houses, 9,345 are engaged in agriculture and other civilized occupations; and
13/202 wear citizen's dress. Fifty-seven per cent, of their subsistence is
obtained by their own labor, mainly in farming; for the rest, they depend on
game and fish, especially the latter, of which they readily obtain large
quantities.
The Chippewa are extensively intermarried with the Ottawa, and are thrifty and
worthy citizens of the United States, as are also those of Saginaw, and of
Keewenaw Bay in Michigan. The Bad River, Red Cliff, Ked Late, and Mississippi
bands are likewise making rapid progress in civilization. Of those which have
made but little or no progress are the Leech Lake, White Earth, Mille Lac, and
other scattered bands in remote and inaccessible regions of Minnesota and
Wisconsin, the older chiefs resolutely opposing any attempt on the part of the
younger men to begin a civilized life.
List of Illustrations
1001. Es-En-Ce. Little Shell. Pembina.
Head chief of the Pembina, residing at Turtle Mountain, in Dakota. His father
and grandfather were chiefs of the same band before him. Took an active part
against the Sioux in the Minnesota massacres in 1863. Visited Washington in
1874, at the head of a delegation in behalf of their bands, to protest against
being removed from their old homes about Turtle Mountain.
1002. Mis-To-Ya-Be. Little Bull. Pembina
Head brave of the Pembina, and resides at Pembina. Is a man of considerable
influence, his word being law with his band. Has good common sense and fine
executive ability. Was removed by the Government to White Earth reservation, but
refuses to live there, and has gone back to his old home. Has fought the Sioux
frequently, and has been quite successful in stealing horses from them. Has two
wives. Does no farming.
1003. Ka-Ees-Pa. Something Blown Up by the Wind. Pembina
A half-breed, but lives and dresses like an Indian. His father was made a chief
of the Pembina by the English and Americans, and upon his death succeeded him.
Is a very successful hunter, and is looked upon as a representative man of the
tribe.
1004. Ke-Woe-Sais-We-Ro. The Man Who Knows How to Hunt. Pembina
A half-breed and third brave of the band. Always joined the Chippewa in fighting
the Sioux the Pembina fighting on horseback and counts four scalps. Is a trader.
Is thought very much of by his tribe, and has a reputation for moral worth and
straight forward dealing.
851. Large Group of the preceding four numbers.
1068. Shay-Wi-Zick. Sour Spittle. Red
Lake
A brave of the Red Lake band of Chippewa and younger brother of the head chief.
His wife and children were killed by the Sioux, and be fought them frequently in
return, killing two. Was a good speaker and farmed a good deal. Died last
winter, aged about 70.
80, 1069. Qui-Wi-Zhen-Shish. Bad Boy. Red Lake
Foremost brave of the Red Lake band. His father was chief, which office is now
held by his older brother. Was ranked as one of the bravest of the Chippewa in
their battles with the Sioux, and took many scalps. Was a fine speaker and a man
of much influence. Farmed very successfully and raised considerable corn, and
was also a good hunter. Had two wives. Died in 1872.
1070. Qui-Wi-Zens. The Boy. Red Lake
A brave and a leading warrior in the battles of his tribe with the Sioux. A good
speaker, hunter, and farmer, although the farming is done almost entirely by his
wife and children, as is the case with all these Indians. Is now dead.
1071. Auguste. Pembina
A brave of the Pembina, formerly residing near the British line, but now
removed, with his band, to the White Earth reservation. Has the reputation of
being a miserable, worthless Indian, unwilling to work, and adhering with great
tenacity to the heathenish customs of his tribe. Was baptized in his infancy by
the Roman Catholics, but has renounced his Christianity. Has had his skull
broken three times in quarrels with his own people, and has been twice wounded
in fights with the Sioux.
1072. Moozomo. Moose's Dung. Red Lake
A petty chief of the Red Lake baud. Died some years ago at a very old age. Was a
great hunter, and farmed considerably also. Was much respected by the Red Lake
bauds, and especially so by the whites.
1073. Me-Jaw-Key-Osh. Something in the Air Gradually Falling to the Earth.
Red Lake
A brave but recently made a chief of the Red Lake Chippewa, and is ranked as the
very bravest of all his tribe. Had always been accustomed to fight the Sioux,
but after the massacre of 1862-'63 reorganized and led a small party of from six
to ten of his bravest men against them every summer for some time, killing with
his own hand fifteen of their enemies and bringing home their scalps. Was a
crafty warrior and knew well how to slay his foe without losing his own life. He
still lives, farming and hunting for a living, and is a man of great influence
in his band.
1074. Essiniwub Ogwissun. The Son of Essiniwub. Red Lake
A quiet, peaceable young man, never on the war path, peace having been declared
with the Sioux be fore he came of age.
1075. Maiadjiaush. Something Beginning to Sail Off. Red Lake
A brave residing at Red Lake. His father was a chief and his younger brother the
present head chief of the Red Lake band. Ten years ago had the reputation of
being a bad man, and has the same suspicion still hanging about him; is
ill-natured, cross-grained, and always striking and quarrelling with his
fellow-Indians.
1076. Naboniqueaush. A Yellow-haired One Sailing Along. Red Lake
1077. Tibishko-Biness. Like a Bird. Red Lake.
A petty chief and brother of Bad Boy. Has often fought the Sioux as a leading
brave. Hunts for a living, while his family cultivate corn and potatoes. Is a
good speaker and much respected by the Red Lakes.
78, 79. Po-Gonay-Ge-Shick. Hole in the Day.
81. Ah-Ah-Shaw-We-Ke-Shick. Crossing
Sky. Rabbet Lake
82. Nah-Gun-A-Gow-Bow. Standing
Forward. Rabbet Lake
83. Kish-Ka-Na-Cut. Stump. Mllle
Lac
84. Mis-Ko-Pe-Nen-Sha. Red Bird.
Lake Winnipeg
Photo (off Site)
Descriptive Catalogue, Photographs Of North American Indians. United States Geological Survey
of the Territories, 1877 by W. H. Jackson, Photographer of the Survey,
F. V. Hayden, U. S. Geologist.
