Chiefs of the Menominee Nation
Chief Oshkosh
Chief
Oshkosh was born in 1795. He was often called "The Brave" but
his name means "Claw". When he was about 15 years old he was
placed under the guidance of Tomah, by his grandfather who was the Head Chief
at this time. Oshkosh became the Head Chief in 1827 after Tomah and his
grandfather passed away.
In
1842, his Band of 105 families was located on the upper Wisconsin River.
When he moved to the Reservation in 1852, he settled on the west side of Keshena
Falls. He negotiated all the Treaties except the 1831 Treaty in Washington
DC.
When the Menominee delegation returned from Minnesota, in 1850, his remarks were:
"He
preferred a home somewhere in Wisconsin, for the poorest region in Wisconsin
was better than the Crow Wing."
He died in 1858 at his home on the Wolf.
Chief Grizzly Bear
Mahkeemeeteuv
was known as the "Grizzly Bear" but his name means "Bear's Oil".
However, he was also referred to as "Kaush-kau-no-naive" which apparently
was the name of his father. Grizzly Bear is the actual translation of
his father's name.
He
was an outstanding leader and orator and served under the direct command of
Tomah. Was chosen as the Speaker for the Chiefs after Tomah's death.
He
was the father of Kinopoway and Wapimen, who became leaders of their own Bands.
He was the chief negotiator for the 1831 and 1832 Treaties with the New York
Indians.
An
excerpt of one of his many speeches:
". . . . we have our War Chiefs - and we do like your Senators, consult them all, and when we all agree on anything, it cannot be otherwise . . . . The forest is our life . . . . we do not like to part with it - or any of our land. . . ."
Chief Sawano
The
"South" was the leader from whom Shawano Lake was named and possibly
the City of Shawano, Wisconsin. His Band is said to have been the first
residents on the Reservation. He went with the delegation to Washington,
DC for the 1831 negotiations, as well as in 1850.
His name appears on only the 1831 and 1848 Treaties.
Chief Komaniken
Not
much has been written about the "Big Wave". However, he was
highly respected and many times was referred to as "The Philosopher".
He signed all the treaties except the 1848 Treaty. After 1836 and before
the move to the Reservation, in 1852, he was located on the Fox River near Lake
Poygan.
When he moved his band to the Reservation they settled 3 miles north of Keshena on the Old South Branch road.
Chief Maskeewet
The
only thing known about this Chief is that he was with the delegation that went
to Washington, DC in 1827. His name appears on only the 1831 Treaty.
Translation of his name could not be found but from all indications it has something to do with "Strong Medicine".
Chief Kinopoway
Auhkanah'pah'waew
or "Earth Standing", was a band leader living at Prairie du Chein
and after 1844 at Lake Poygan. Shortly after the Reservation was occupied
he moved his band to the present West Branch settlement. The official
name for West Branch was originally "Kinepoway Settlement".
He
went to Washington, DC, with this father's delegation in 1827.
He signed the 1831, 1848, and 1854 Treaties.
Chief Shu'nuni'u
Chief
Shu'nuni'u was born in 1783, and was well known by the English name of Souligny.
In 1842, his Band consisting of 51 families was located on the Wolf River.
In
1852, he settled on the west side of the Wolf near Keshena Falls. Was
always regarded as a fierce old warrior having only one eye. According
to history he lost his eye from an arrow shot at him by the fearless Black Hawk.
Renowned for his bravery he became the Head Warchief of the Menominees at the age of 72.He died in 1867.
Chief Iometah
The
"Fish Spawn" was born about 1772, and was the Head War Chief of the
Tribe and the brother of Tomah. He was on the warpath during the War of
1812 and was considered a very good hunter in his day.
In 1842, his Band was located on the Fox River at Little Chute and consisted of 93 families. His name appears on all Treaties except the 1854 Treaty. When he moved his Band, in 1852, to the Reservation he settled on the east bank of the Wolf River near the payground, later known as Keshena, Wisconsin.
He died in 1867.
Chief Sunien
The
"Silver", Tomah's grandson, was born in 1827 and was the older brother
of Chief Keshiene. He was an important leader in the Medicine Lodge.
His name appears on all the Treaties except the 1848 Treaty. According
to the records he did not like what the government was offering. The following
is an excerpt from a speech he made to a group waiting to hear the results of
the negotiations:
". . . . You don't expect he has come to decorate your ears with silver ear bobs? No, he comes simply to get the balance of our country! . . . he proposed to remove us across the Mississippi. . . "
He died September 16, 1902 in South Branch
Chief Niaqtowapomi
"The Most Conspicuous" was born sometime in 1830 or 1831.
He was designated as 2nd Chief when Neopit was made Head Chief. He also became one of the first judges in 1882. In 1852, he moved his Band on the east side of the Wolf River near Wayka Creek. He was an outstanding leader of the Medicine Lodge and was one in whom the Tribe had a lot of confidence. He died at his home on May 2, 1897.
Chief Neopit
"Four In The Den", Oshkosh's 2nd son, was one of the last hereditary chiefs. He became Head Chief when his older brother was accused of killing someone. The following is an excerpt of a letter he sent to the local paper in 1882:
". . . . We want to sell our timber for a fair price, . . . But we will not consent to the sale of any more land. We want it for our children and grandchildren. We accepted our present reservation when it was considered of no value . . . . and all we ask is to be permitted to keep it as a home . . . ."
In 1882, a "Court of Indian Offenses" was established and he became one of the first judges. He died on March 23, 1913.