Menominee Chiefs

Among the chiefs of the Menomonee who led their family to the heights of Abraham, were Osauwishkeno, or the "Yellow Bird," and Ka Cha Ka wa she Ka or "The Notchmaker. "

     Souligny was a mixed blood born 1783. His grandmother was the reputed daughter of Souligny, an early French trader who was a son-in-law of Sieur de Langlade's second handed wife. This chief was highly regarded by the tribe and the white. He led his band with the English in the war of 1812 and the Stambough expedition in 1832 and was a stout, good looking man, with one eye gone. He was alive in 1858 at seventy years of age, when he walked 200 miles to Milwaukee. His portrait, painted by Brooks, hangs in the Wisconsin Historical rooms at Madison.

     Other chiefs in 1858 were Ahkenotoway, who was born in 1821, and Cosagascegay, who was born in 1813.

     The chief of the mixed Menomonee band at Milwaukee was Onaugesa, who had married a Pottawattamie woman. He was a brother of Mrs. Joseph Roy of Green Bay and often visited her as early as 1784. Unlike most of the Milwaukee band, he was a kind and worthy Indian. He died there about 1840.

    One of the historic Menominee chiefs was We Cha Ne Qua, or "the Rubber," who is said to have protected an American during the war of 1812 by guarding his escape from Green Bay to Mackinaw. He was chief of a small band and a brother to Oshaw wah nem or the"Yellow Dog," and cousin to L' Espagnol, who distinguished themselves in the killing of Major Holmes at defense of Mackinac in 1814. The old chief who formerly lived at the present site of Marinette long prior to 1791 was Te Pak a ne nee.

     Another chief of distinction was Ap po mich sha, or the "White Elk," who also fought at Fort Nleigs under Tecumseh and with Proctor were defeated at Sandusky.

     Another noted chief at the capture of Mackinac was ''Pe wan to not" and others who were on the war path in 1832 against the Foxes and Sacs were Old Poegonah and Wau nau ko and La Mott.

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