Father Albert Negahnquet, also known as Dom Bede, was Citizen Potawatomi and the first full‐blood American Indian ordained Roman Catholic priest in the United States. Oral stories tell us that at a young age, Albert “wanted to educate the Potawatomi people in the teachings of the Bible in their own language.” Understanding his son’s path, Albert’s father Nebawqua or Stephen …
Born on the Kansas River Reservation, Stephen Negahnquet quickly rose to become a community fixture in Kansas. After the Treaty of 1867, he removed with his family to Indian Territory and was allotted several sections of land. He is listed on the 1872 Citizen Potawatomi allotment census as well as recorded first on the 1887 Dawes allotment census. On the …
Neswake was a leader of much influence and distinguished orator among the Wabash Potawatomi. He served as principle speaker for the Indiana Potawatomi during land cession and removal negotiations. Neswake gave the keynote address at the 1837 Keewaunay emigration council, expressing grievances and deep concern regarding the survival of his people post-removal. Despite his mixed opposition to removal, his name …
Niben was the time of plenty. Villages converged to dance, celebrate and play games, strengthening the bonds among Potawatomi people and culture. With an abundance of natural resources, our ancestors tended to their fields, gathered fruit, nuts and wild plants, and harvested a variety of animals for food, tools and clothing. What was not used, shared or traded was stored …
A warrior of great distinction among the Wabash Potawatomi of Indiana, Nibosh was a veteran of the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811) and the greater War of 1812. His name, translated as Humble Death or Twisted Head, indicated both his prowess in battle and physical appearance, due to the numerous injuries he sustained. After being captured and scalped during an inter-tribal …
Post revolution America was riddled with conflict as settlers began encroaching on Native lands, unlawfully ceded to the United States by Great Britain. Rejecting American control and settlement in the Northwest Territory, a confederation of Great Lakes tribes, including Detroit and St. Joseph Potawatomi, engaged in a campaign of violent raids that culminated into a series of battles, ultimately warranting …
The Northwest Territory was the first organized territory created by the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. The territory was defined as east of the Mississippi River, northwest of the Ohio River, south of the Great Lakes, and west of Pennsylvania. The Northwest Territory included what is now Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and the northeast part of Minnesota. History of the …
Born within the Three Fires First Nation of Wiikwemkoong in Ontario, Canada, Daphne Odjig was a student and leader within the Nishnabé Art movement. Influenced by her Odawa and Bodéwadmi heritage, as she descends from renowned Bodéwadmi leaders Wabskum and his son Black Partridge, Daphne reached international acclaim for her works. She was a founder of the Professional Native Indian …
The negosek (stars) and their constellations help steer our thoughts and teachings, as much of our ancient knowledge originates from the sky. Each season the sky changes and familiar constellations are seen again. The Ojik constellation or “Big Dipper” relates to the story of how the spring birds were imprisoned by ogres. Using his courage and wit, the tricky Fisher …
In the wake of the Land Rush, greater numbers of settlers were living in the Indian-Oklahoma Territories than ever before. Calls from these settlers soon followed for the territory to be admitted into the Unites States, relying on the inclusion of Kansas in 1861 and Arkansas earlier in 1836 as precedence. At the same time Oklahoma Territory vied for inclusion, …