The rank of warrior among Potawatomi was one of great honor and responsibility. Those who were victorious in battle were given the title of Wédasé, meaning brave or strong hearted. Often, they became members of the village warrior society, defending and policing the community. A rite of passage, warrior training began at an early age. Young boys were taught by …
Paul Chrisstarlon Wesselhöft is a fifth-generation Oklahoman and descendant of Chief Abram Burnett, known for leading the Potawatomi through the turbulent 1860s. His Potawatomi name is Naganit, meaning, “Leader.” He has served as the legislator for District 9 since March 2007. An ordained Southern Baptist minister who spent nearly two decades as a U.S. Army Chaplain, Representative Paul Wesselhöft also …
Bob Whistler has served as the legislator for District 3 since 2008, when the CPN constitution was ratified to include representation for the entire United States. His Potawatomi name is Bmashi, “He Soars.” Although born in Cushing, Oklahoma, the Bourassa descendant grew up in San Diego, California, from the age of 3. He graduated from Arkansas City High School in …
Antoine Ouilmette [Wilmette] was a French-Canadian fur trader and early resident of Fort Dearborn [Chicago]. As an agent for the American Fur Company, Ouilmette move to the area in 1790 and worked for well-known trader John Kinzie. Here he married Archange Chevalier in 1796, daughter of Francois and Marianne-Chopa. The couple had eight children. Due to Archange’s Potawatomi heritage and …
The cold, harsh winters of the Great Lakes, inspired stories of the Windego, a man-eating creature that hunted in blizzards, possessing and devouring the ill willed.
George Winter was an English-born artist known for his chronicles of 18th century American life and geography. Much like his contemporaries, Winter was driven by adventure and eager to capture the vanishing culture of the Native American. While in Ohio, he learned of the approaching Potawatomi removal from Indiana. Coincidentally, Potawatomi emigration and annuity negotiations were held in Winter’s Washington …
Sweet grass and its smoke are used for purification and to beget positive energy. It is considered a gift from and the hair of Mother Earth, gathered and braided to pay homage.
73in L x 4in W x 4in H The sweetgrass braid was woven by and a gift from the Walpole Island First Nation to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. It was presented to Citizen Potawatomi Nation Chairman, John A. Barrett, from Walpole Island First Nation Chief, Daniel R. Miskokomon, at the Tribal Leaders’ Meeting on July 29, 2016. The sweetgrass braid …
The Woodland or Nishnabé School of Art is a unique and distinctly Indigenous artistic expression that fuses cultural ideals and symbolism, drawing inspiration from traditional oral stories and knowledge, with a variety of contemporary mediums. Rooted in Indigenous understanding, the artistic style is also known as Legend or Medicine Painting, as works illustrate the physical and spiritual symbioses between the …
15in W x 40in L Loom-beaded central panel worked in bilateral angular arrangements of stylized floriforms. Central pattern is enclosed by zigzag bands and beaded yarn tassels. The bag strap has a similar worked style, over a black velvet and partial-beaded panel of vines and blossoms. Among the Bodéwadmi and other Nishnabé communities, bandolier bags are considered medicine bags. Worn …