Okemos
"One of the most important local chiefs in Michigan was Chief Okemos, chief of the Chippewa tribe from about 1789 to 1858 when he died. Like many other Native American chiefs, often under threat from American authorities Okemos signed several treaties with Michigan and the U. S. government that allowed whites to settle what had once been Chippewa land."
Chief Okemos was born around 1770. O-ge-mah was the original name used to refer to Chief Okemos, but over the years the name Okemos was formed and kept. Okemos means "Little Chief". Chief Okemos led his tribe of Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indians through Michigan between Lansing, Detroit, and Saginaw, trading baskets and Indian goods until they formed a settlement.
In the War of 1812, Okemos and his braves joined forces with the British against the United States. The Battle of Thames was Chief Okemos' last battle. He was wounded severely in his shoulder, and his close friend Tecumseh was killed. In 1814, Okemos signed a peace treaty in Detroit, and said to the commanding officer, "Now I make peace and fight no more. Chemokemon [white man] too much for Indians. Me fight plenty enough."
Chief Okemos was buried on December 5, 1858, south of Portland. The first settlers to reach the area where the Ojibwa Indians had settled adopted the name for their little town from the tribe's great Chief Okemos.
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Okemos
High School opened the doors of its new building in August of 1994. Located
in the southeastern suburbs of Lansing, Michigan, this new facility houses approximately
1,360 students every day from 7:55 in the morning to 2:37 in the afternoon.