History of the Ojibway People, Second Edition

27 Ojibways of the Wisconsin and Chippeway Rivers

  Ojibways of the Wisconsin and Chippeway Rivers Among the different bands of the Ojibways, occupying the country drained by the currents of the Wisconsin and Chippeway Rivers, something like a regular system of governmental polity existed at this time.
The dangers of their position (being continually subject to the attacks of the powerful Dakotas) linked them together,in a bond of brotherhood,which remained unbroken in its natural simplicity,till the fur traders entered their country in opposition to one another,and to forward their own views and interests,sowed dissensions among them,and eventually almost broke the beautiful system which had held them bound to one another like brothers. This remark is applicable to the whole tribe,but at this stage of our history, we refrain from entering into a discussion of this important question. At the great convocation of tribes, held by the French nation at Sault Ste.Marie,in ,the traditions of the Crane family assert that Ke-che-nezuh -yauh, the head of their family,was recognized as principal chief over the Ojibway tribe; and a golden medal was placed on his breast,as a badge of his rank. He resided at La Pointe, and at his death left two sons, A-kegui -ow (Neck of Earth), and She-da-wish (Bad Pelican), the eldest of whom succeeded him in his rank, and continued to reside at La Pointe, while the youngest became the first pioneer towards the headwaters of the Wisconsin River. A-ke-gui-ow,after his death,was succeeded by his son,Waub-uj-e-jauk (White Crane), who could rightfully claim the first chieftainship in his 224 1. There can be no doubt that the Ojibwe had a long tradition of government, although it was unlike any known to Europeans or Americans.It is highly unlikely,however, that the Ojibwe of this time,or at any time,had tribal organization under a single chief.The Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe) were a band society, and no one ogima (chief) had authority over any other.Leadership was maintained by oratory (Schenck ,–). 2. Warren may have reckoned too few generations between  and . In , Schoolcraft was asked to determine the succession to the title of chief of the Crane totem at Sault Ste. Marie. After interviewing various members of the family, he was able to go back only three generations to Gitcheojeedebun,the Great Crane of the mid-eighteenth century (Schoolcraft ,). Schenck bk p i-xxiv 1-318_Layout 1 5/13/11 10:54 AM Page 224 tribe; but who, being of an unambitious and retiring disposition, neglecting his civil duties, and attending only to those of the chase, he became at last superceded by a noted character of his time, named An-daig-we-os (Crow’s Flesh), the head or chief of the Loon family, who is justly celebrated in the traditions of his people,for wisdom,honesty,and an unvarying friendship to the whites. During his lifetime, his influence extended over the whole tribe,and his descendants to this day have upheld in some respects the position which their illustrious ancestor attained. The Cranes did not regain their former rank in the tribe, till the convocation of the northwestern tribes,held at Prairie du Chien by the United States government in , at which Hon. Lewis Cass acted as commissioner. This treaty was held for the purpose of promoting peace between the different belligerent tribes,and that a just partition might be made between them,of the country which they occupied. The Ojibway tribe was fully represented ; chiefs and warriors being present from the Upper Mississippi, Lake Superior, St. Croix, Chippeway and Wisconsin Rivers. Shin-ga-baossin (Spirit Stone), was acknowledged to be the representative of the Crane family, and his name was signed to the treaty, as head chief of the tribe. He came from Sault Ste.Marie,over which band,or village,he was resident chief. Prior to this event, the dignity and influence of the Cranes had been upheld by Keesh-ke-mun (Sharpened Stone), the son of Sha-da-nish, the first Ojibway pioneer towards the Wisconsin. He is first mentioned by the old men and traders of the tribe,as having attained a prominent position as chief,between forty and fifty years ago.He made it his home,or permanent village,at Lac du Flambeau,and from this point he ruled over that division of his tribe, who occupied the midland country, between Lake Superior, southwest to...