38 Facts About Kechewaishke

Kechewaishke signed treaties in 1825,1826,1837,1842,1847, and 1854.

Kechewaishke was instrumental in resisting the United States' efforts to remove the Ojibwa to western areas and secured permanent Indian reservations for his people near Lake Superior in what is Wisconsin.

Kechewaishke was born around 1759 at La Pointe on Madeline Island in the Shagawamikong region.

Kechewaishke appears to have been a descendant or relative of the famous war chief Waubojeeg.

Kechewaishke had five wives and numerous children, many of whom became prominent Ojibwa leaders in the reservation era.

Kechewaishke practiced the Midewiwin religion, but converted to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed.

Kechewaishke appears to have been favored by British traders and decorated by British authorities, but few Ojibwa from Lake Superior fought in the American Revolution or the War of 1812, and there is no record of his participation.

Kechewaishke drew a contrast between himself and his contemporaries Aysh-ke-bah-ke-ko-zhay and Hole in the Day, two Ojibwa chiefs from present-day Minnesota, who carried out a long war against the Dakota Sioux people.

In 1825, Kechewaishke was one of 41 Ojibwa leaders to sign the First Treaty of Prairie du Chien, with his name recorded as "Gitspee Waishkee" or La Boeuf.

Kechewaishke is listed third after Shingabawossin, who was recognized as head of the Crane doodem at Sault Ste.

The signatories were listed by band, and Kechewaishke, recorded as Peezhickee, signed as the first chief from La Pointe.

Kechewaishke praised the US officials for their ability to keep their young people under their control, and asked for whiskey to accomplish the same ends among the younger members of his band.

Kechewaishke reprimanded Kechewaishke for not stopping the continuing sporadic warfare between the Ojibwa and Dakota.

Kechewaishke replied that he was unable to stop the young men of Lac Courte Oreilles, St Croix, Lac du Flambeau or other bands beyond La Pointe from fighting the Dakota.

Kechewaishke said that, unlike the British before the War of 1812, the US government had not done enough to maintain peace among the tribes.

The Treaties of 1837 and 1842 covered La Pointe and territories held by other bands over which Kechewaishke held considerable influence.

Once the terms were agreed to, Kechewaishke marked and was recorded as Pe-zhe-ke, head of the La Pointe delegation.

Kechewaishke expressed his misgivings over the treaty negotiations in a letter to Governor Dodge, writing:.

Five years later, Kechewaishke was presented with the Treaty of La Pointe covering his lands.

Kechewaishke signed and was recorded as Gichi waishkey, 1st chief of La Pointe.

Kechewaishke said that Stuart had refused to listen to any of the Ojibwa's objections, and asked to add a provision to ensure permanent Ojibwa reservations in Wisconsin.

Kechewaishke kept in constant contact with the other bands to ensure the Ojibwa upheld their obligations.

Kechewaishke sent runners to all the bands to report back on any conduct that could construed as grounds for removal.

Back in La Pointe, Kechewaishke took several actions to forestall and prevent removal.

Kechewaishke sent two of his sons to St Paul, where they obtained a portion of the annuities still owed.

Kechewaishke called on the services of his well-spoken sub-chief Oshoga, and son-in-law Benjamin G Armstrong, a literate white interpreter married to his daughter.

Kechewaishke drew up a petition that the 92-year-old Kechewaishke personally delivered to the president in Washington.

Kechewaishke invited the Ojibwa to come with him to see Fillmore.

Kechewaishke performed the pipe ceremony with a pipe made especially for the occasion.

Kechewaishke had Oshaga speak for more than an hour about the broken treaty promises and the disastrous attempt at removal.

Kechewaishke announced that all tribal representatives should gather at La Pointe for payments the next summer, and he would reveal the specifics of the agreement.

Ambiguity in those treaties had been partially to blame for ensuing problems, so Kechewaishke insisted he would accept no interpreter other than Armstrong, his adopted son.

Kechewaishke entrusted Armstrong with the details of the written version.

Kechewaishke was too ill to participate in the speeches at the time of the annuity payments in summer 1855.

Kechewaishke died of heart disease on September 7,1855, at La Pointe.

Kechewaishke's funeral was conducted in military fashion, with volleys fired at intervals in his honor.

Kechewaishke is regarded a hero of the Lake Superior Ojibwa.

Kechewaishke's life is celebrated during commemorations of the treaty signings and the Sandy Lake Tragedy.