Nakawe

Nakawe is another name used to identify the Anishinabe people who are also known as the Algonquin, Bungee, Chippewa, Mississauga, Nipissing, Ojibwa, Ojibway, Ojibwe, Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Saulteaux. To be specific, the name "Nakawe" refers to the plains Anishinabek. Their dialect of the Anishinabe language is very close to that of the Cree. They have lived out on the plains of Canada and the northern United States, since the late 17th century (that is according to historians), but for possibly much longer. They are also known as the Saulteaux who historians rather name the plains Anishinabek. They were motivated to expand even further westward after the whites invaded in the early 17th century, and also by prophecy which they were prone to react to in the most serious of manners.

In the late 17th century, Nakawe soldiers from north of Lake Superior, forced their way into northwestern Ontario then southern Manitoba. They battled the Dakota soldiers for control of that region and were capable of subduing the northern Dakotas but after forcing their way into the Minnesota region, their expansion slowed but it only slowed as a result of the Anishinabe people expanding their involvement in the wars against the whites back east. However, by the mid 18th century, the Nakawe soldiers had brought central and northern Minnesota under their control and commenced to expand even further out to the plains of Saskatchewan, Alberta, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

Nakawe soldiers had reached the Rocky Mountain House region of Alberta by 1800 and British Columbia as well. They also expanded their territory to north of the northern shores of Lake Winnipeg on over to the southern shores of Hudson Bay. From the plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Nakawe expanded up north of the Edmonton region and north of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Nakawe soldiers were also fighting a war in the Rocky Mountains of Montana around 1800 according to Alexander McKenzie and Peter Jones. Both wrote books telling of the war the Nakawe were fighting against the Flathead Indians in western Montana. The war was being fought in the late 18th century and early 19th century. That is around the time Montana was brought under Nakawe control. Peter Jones book is titled "History of the Ojebway Indians."

Jones evidently never learned what happened in the Nakawe-Flathead War he claimed occurred generations before his time (mid 19th century). Jones described the Nakawe-Flathead War in the chapter titled "War." Jones also described on how the Abenaki, Algonquin, Chippewa, Cree, Delaware, Fox, Kickapoo, Illini, Menominee, Miami, Mississauga, Mohegan, Nipissing, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sauk, Saulteaux, and Shawnee spoke the same language. He said some of the above mentioned tribes did find it difficult to understand each other when first meeting but within a short time were fully capable of speaking with each other. Jones describes the Ojebway Language in the chapter titled "The Indian Language."

Locations in the United States

Montana: The location which had the largest Nakawe population was north central Montana, particularily the Great Falls region. The same holds true now. After the whites brought North America under their control, Nakawe leaders ceded their land and were set aside numerous Reserves and Reservations, in Canada and the United States. On some occasions the whites forced the Nakawe to assimilate with other Native American Tribes. Examples include the following:

Flathead Reservation: Over 100 Nakawe are still clinging to their Nakawe identity on the Flathead Reservation. Even the government of the Flathead Reservation recognizes the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. In 1904, a bill to establish a Nakawe Reservation in the Flathead Reservation was not ratified by the United States.

Blackfeet Reservation: A Nakawe population has always lived on the Blackfeet Reservation. In 1903, a fence was built around the entire Blackfeet Reservation. The United States did force many of the landless Nakawe of Montana to relocate to the Blackfeet Reservation on more than one occasion. In November of 1909, close to 200 landless Nakawe led by chiefs Little Bear and Rocky Boy, were set aside a Reservation in the Blackfeet Reservation. Their living conditions were degrading so a series of diasporas off the Blackfeet Reservation commenced in 1910 and lasted until 1912. Many fled to Garrison (Ulm), Montana where they eventually relocated to Mount Royal (Hill 57) near Great Falls. Many more fled to the Bear Paw Mountains and up to Canada. The Nakawe make up around 15% of Browning's population. There may be up to 1,500 Nakawe living on the Blackfeet Reservation now.

Mount Royal (Hill 57): Nakawe people have lived in the Great Falls, Montana region for at least 200 years. Their population increased in the Great Falls region after the Nakawe exodus off the Blackfeet Reservation occurred between 1910 and 1912. Their presence in the Great Falls region was more a colony than a Reservation. Even in the 1950s, up to 300 Nakawe continued to live on and alongside Mount Royal. Since then, however, their population has decreased to probably less than 20 there. In Great Falls, up to 1,000 Nakawe people live.

Valley County Nakawe Reservation: An event occurred in Montana between 1902 and 1912, which agitated the Nakawe of Montana. It became such a burden that the United States sent Indian Agent Frank Churchill to Montana to negotiate with chief Rocky Boy. The problem was over the break up of Reservations and land allotments. Churchill was forced to request from the government of the United States that all of Valley County, Montana be withdrawn from white settlement and that a new Nakawe Reservation be set side in Valley County, Montana. Both requests were granted by the government of the United States. The Nakawe Valley County Reservation covers 1,382,405 acres or 2,160 sq. mi. They claim the United States eventually refused to set aside the new Nakawe Reservation but i strongly suspect it still exists. Fort Belknap Reservation was located in Valley County, Montana at the time (1909) and was probably enlarged to 2,160 sq. mi., in 1916 when Rocky Boy Reservation was officially established. Total population on and off is 5,426 (Fort Belknap) and 5,656 (Rocky Boy), or 11,082.

Turtle Mountain Reservation of Montana: It is not a true Reservation but land allotments handed out to Nakawe people between 1905 and 1920. Around 5,000 or more Nakawe people were handed out land allotments in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Nearly all were handed out in Montana. The average allotment was 160 acres which means close to 800,000 acres was allotted to the Nakawe. The Nakawe population of Montana is far more than the 6,000 estimated.

North Dakota: The Nakawe are located on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. The population of the Turtle Mountain Reservation is over 7,000 and over 3,000 more live in Roulette County which is where the Turtle Mountain Reservation is located. Another 20,000 Nakawe are citizens of the Turtle Mountain Reservation. Total population of the Turtle Mountain Reservation is over 30,000. The Trenton Indian Service Area manages many of the Nakawe allotments in northeastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota. The Nakawe population of the Trenton Indian Service Area is over 3,200. Though the Spirit Lake Reservation is not an official Nakawe Reservation, the Nakawe make up close to 30% of the population of the Spirit Lake Reservation.

Minnesota: There are 6 Nakawe Reservations. They are the following:

Fond du Lac Reservation: Population on and off is 4,044.

Grand Portage Reservation: Population on and off is 1,127.

Leech Lake Reservation: Population on and off is 8,900.

Nett Lake Reservation: Population on and off is 2,485.

Red Lake Reservation: Population on and off is over 10,000.

White Earth Reservation: Population on and off is over 20,000. Many Dakota people including Winnebagos, live on the White Earth Reservation.

First Nations in Canada

In Canada, you must do extensive research to learn exactly where the Nakawe live. That's because many of the First Nations (Reserves) in Canada are multiple like the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. You'll be fooled if you don't do the proper research. On many, if not most, of the Nakawe First Nations in Saskatchewan, many Dakotas live.

Nakawe First Nations in British Columbia include:

Saulteau First Nation of British Columbia: The Nakawe have lived in British Columbia for at least 200 years. More Nakawe from Manitoba led by a Nakawe leader who had a vision telling him to look for twin peak mountains with a lake nearby, settled in the Moberly Lake region in the late 19th century. Population is 840.



Nakawe First Nations in Alberta include the following:

O'Chiese-Sunchild First Nation of Alberta: They are really just one Reserve and not two. The on-Reserve population is 1,499. Total populaion including off-Reserve is 2,266.

Onion Lake First Nation of Alberta and Saskatchewan: They have ties with the Nakawe of Montana that go back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. Nakawe chief Little Bear, requested from Canada that the landless Nakawe of Montana be allowed to relocate to Canada in 1905. Canada agreed and allowed many to settle down on the Onion Lake First Nation. On-Reserve population is 3,134. Total population including off-Reserve is 5,129.

Samson First Nation of Alberta including the Ermineskin, Louis Bull, and Montana First Nations: All four are connected or only one Reserve. On-Reserve population is 10,414. Total population including off-Reserve is 14,618. The Samson First Nations have ties with the Montana Nakawe that go back to the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Foothills Ojibway Society: They are non status. I do not know what their population is. They live near Hinton, Alberta.



Nakawe First Nations in Saskatchewan include the following:

Saulteaux and Moosomin First Nation of Saskatchewan including the Thunderchild and Sweet Grass First Nations: The Saulteaux and Moosomin First Nations are really one Reserve which should include the Thunderchild First Nation and Sweet Grass First Nation, because the Thunderchild and Sweet Grass Reserves were connected to the Moosomin Reserve before Canada ereadicated the Moosomin and Thunderchild Reserves in 1909. On-Reserve population is 3,241. Total population including off-Reserve is 9,166.

Big Bear First Nations including Little Pine First Nation, Lucky Man First Nation, and Poundmaker First Nation: Nakawe chief Big Bear was imprisoned after the 1885 Northwest Rebellion. His subjects were forced to relocate to the Little Pine and Poundmaker First Nations afterwards. Later on in the 20th century, the Lucky Man First Nation was established. Chief Big Bear may have been born in Idaho or southwest Montana. His son chief Little Bear claimed his father lived along the Snake River in Idaho but relocated to Montana. On-Reserve population is 1,546. Total population including off-Reserve is 3,496.

The James Smith and Muskoday First Nations in Saskatchewan: In the early 1870s, Nakawe leaders of the St. Peter First Nation of southern Manitoba, became concerned about their predicament and under the leadership of James Smith and his brother John Smith, commenced an exodus into Saskatchewan and central Manitoba. They were set aside their present Reserves. Their St. Peter First Nation near Winnipeg (quite far from any Cree First Nation) was eventually eradicated. On-Reserve population for the James Smith First Nation is 1,905. Total population including off-Reserve is 3,110. On-Reserve population for Muskoday First Nation is 581. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,651.

Cote-Keeseekoose First Nation. Population is 1,519 on-Reserve. Total population including off-Reserve is 5,709.

Cowessess-Kahkewistahaw-Ochapowace-Sakimay First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 2,103. Total population including off-Reserve is 8,665.

Fishing Lake First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 456. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,634.

Gordon-Muskowekwan First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,512. Total population including off-Reserve is 4,894.

Kawacatoose First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,116. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,882.

Key First Nation (the Key Reserve is nearly connected to the Cote-Keeseekoose Reserve): Population on-Reserve is 279. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,184.

Kinistin First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 344. Total population including off-Reserve is 958.

Mosquito-Grizzly Bear's Head-Lean Man First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 661. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,259.

Muscowpetung-Pasqua-Piapot First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,393. Total population including off-Reserve is 5,267.

Ocean Man-Pheasant Rump First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 241. Total population including off-Reserve is 857.

Okanese First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 264. Total population including off-Reserve is 640.

White Bear First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 825. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,415.

Yellow Quill First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 867. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,735.



Nakawe First Nations in Manitoba include the following:

Berens River First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,868. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,963.
Bloodvein First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,024. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,634.
Brokenhead First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 610. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,788.
Buffalo Point First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 50. Total population including off-Reserve is 112.
Dauphin River First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 207. Total population including off-Reserve is 302.
Ebb and Flow First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,531. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,724.
Fairford First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,266. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,959.
Fisher River First Nation which is nearly connected to Peguis: Population on-Reserve is 1,798. Total population including off-Reserve is 3,384.
Gamblers First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 66. Total population including off-Reserve is 183.
Garden Hill First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 3,574. Total population including off-Reserve is 4,230.
Hollow Water First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,075. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,726.
Keeseekoowenin First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 471. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,118.
Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 339. Total population including off-Reserve is 699.
Lake Manitoba First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 984. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,886.
Lake St. Martin First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,394. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,306.
Little Black River First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 849. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,145.
Little Grand Rapids First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,217. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,513.
Little Saskatchewan First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 642. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,104.
Long Plain First Nation: Population on-Reserve is ?. Total population including off-Reserve is 3,862.
Ochichakkosipi First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 554. Total population including off-Reserve is 979.
Pauingassi First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 566. Total population including off-Reserve is 606.
Peguis First Nation (it was originally the St. Peter First Nation): Population on-Reserve is 3,657. Total population including off-Reserve is 8,968.
Pine Creek First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,044. Total population including off-Reserve is 3,014.
Poplar River First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,212. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,604.
Red Sucker Lake First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 871. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,002.
Rolling River First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 520. Total population including off-Reserve is 988.
Roseau River First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,069. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,400.
Sagkeeng First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 3,253. Total population including off-Reserve is 7,189.
Sandy Bay First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 3,647. Total population including off-Reserve is 5,894.
Skownan First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 710. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,308.
St. Theresa Point First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 3,485. Total population including off-Reserve is 3,738.
Swan Lake First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 710. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,285.
Tootinaowaziibeeng First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 615. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,292.
Wasagamack First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,703. Total population including off-Reserve is 1,878.
Waywayseecappo First Nation: Population on-Reserve is 1,437. Total population including off-Reserve is 2,486.



The total Nakawe population is over 250,000. However, many of the citizens of these numerous Nakawe Reserves and Reservations, are Dakota.

Nakawe Leaders

Chief Little Shell I (chief Essence I): He was born in the latter part of the 18th century, either in Canada or Minnesota. He fathered Little Shell II who fathered Little Shell III. Chief Little Shell I, was an active Nakawe leader who was deeply involved in the Nakawe-Dakota War. Early in the 19th century, he led a group of Nakawe people to the Devil's Lake region of North Dakota. They were attacked by Dakota soldiers and all were killed excepting probably one. However, the Nakawe did settle the Devil's Lake region of North Dakota but Dakota soldiers were bothersome. As the 19th century progressed on, the Dakota gradually withdrew their soldiers from the Devil's Lake region. Both the Nakawe and Dakota knew the whites were now the problem. Chief Little Shell I was killed in 1808, during the Dakota attack on his village. Chief Black Duck (Ma-ka-day-shib) became commander in chief after chief Little Shell I death in 1808.

Chief Black Duck (Ma-ka-day-shib): He assumed control of the Nakawe in the Devil's Lake region of North Dakota after chief Little Shell I was killed in battle in 1808. Chief Little Shell I son, Little Shell II, was to young to become chief at the time. Chief Ma-ka-day-shib lived in a village at Stump Lake which was a part of Devil's Lake during those times. He was active in fighting the Dakotas at the time and was also involved with Cuthbert Grant in southern Manitoba and other Nakawe leaders. He likely played a role in the Pemmican War. Nakawe soldiers were in full control of the Devil's Lake region between 1800 and 1810, but Dakota soldiers did every now and then, launch military assaults from either extreme southern North Dakota or northeastern South Dakota, against the Nakawe who lived to their north. Chief Ma-ka-day-shib was replaced by Chief Little Shell II in 1815.

Guthbert Grant Sr.: He was born in 1793 in Saskatchewan. He was a metis (mixed blood) who was one of the principle Nakawe leaders of the Red River Colony War (better known as the Pemmican War). Grant was one of the Nakawe leaders at the Battle of Seven Oaks which was won by Nakawe and metis soldiers. After the war he settled down to live at a settlement he helped to lead named Grantown (aka St. Francois Xavier). In 1854, he was thrown from his horse. He died from his injuries on July 15, 1854.

Chief Little Shell II (chief Essence II): He was born probably between 1790 and 1800. His father was chief Little Shell I. Chief Little Shell II supposedly died in 1853. However, there are historical records which indicate chief Little Shell II signed the October 2, 1863 Old Crossing Treaty so that bit of information is very likely corrupted or it is in fact true. If chief Little Shell II in fact died in 1853, then it was in fact his son chief Little Shell III who signed the October 2, 1863 Old Crossing Treaty. There are too many historical records pointing to chief Little Shell II signing the 1863 Old Crossing Treaty. One historical record tells of how chief Little Shell II and chief Red Bear, were planning a trip to go to Washington but chief Little Shell II died before getting the chance to visit Washington. That same historical record clearly states that chief Little Shell III was living in Montana (near where present day Plentywood, Montana is located), and owned land there. He supposedly relocated to the Turtle Mountain Reservation in 1887 but he was still living in Montana when the 10 cent an acre treaty negotiations were going on in 1890-1892. Chief Little Shell II died in 1874, just before he could visit Washington with Chief Red Bear. Bayris Grant was a counselor to chief Little Shell II.

Chief Black Powder (Moc-ah-tay): He was an important Nakawe leader who fathered chief Mistahi Maskwa (chief Big Bear). He was born around the 1805-1810 time period in either the Montana region or in Canada. His son, chief Mistahi Maskwa, would eventually become an important Nakawe leader like his father. Nothing is known about the wife of chief Black Powder. Chief Black Powder was probably very fond of the Alberta, Montana, and Saskatchewan region. Little did he know that his son would become an extremely important Nakawe leader who battled the whites.

Chief Crooked Arm (aka Broken Arm): He was born in 1807 or around the same time chief Black Powder was born. There are two Nakawe chiefs who had the name of Crooked Arm or Broken Arm. One is known to have signed the October 17, 1855 Blackfeet Treaty in Montana, while the other signed the October 2, 1863 Old Crossing Treaty in Minnesota. Were both the same man? Chief Maskipitoon would eventually convert to Christianity and that led to his fall from power and the rise to power of chief Mistahi Maskwa, after chief Broken Arm (chief Maskipitoon) was murdered in Canada in 1869.

Chief Big Bear (chief Mistahi Maskwa): He was born in 1825 in Saskatchewan according to historians. However, his son Imasees (chief Little Bear) told reporters in Butte, Montana in 1912, that his father lived along the Snake River in Idaho and relocated up to Montana to hunt for buffalo. Chief Mistahi Maskwa was the son of chief Black Powder (Moc-ah-tay) who was Nakawe as was his mother. Chief Mistahi Maskwa became an important Nakawe leader in his early 30s. By the early 1870s, Mistahi Maskwa had become a very powerful leader among the Nakawe of Alberta, Montana, and Saskatchewan. By the early 1870s, the whites had forced their way into southwestern Montana. Chief Mistahi Maskwa probably fled the Idaho region in the early or mid 1860s, for Montana. He was probably living in north central Montana in the early 1870s. In 1882, chief Mistahi Maskwa signed a treaty with the whites which ceded much Nakawe land. He did so because a famine was killing many of the people he ruled. In 1885, he had no choice but to get involved in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion. He may not have been the principle Nakawe leader of the war but the whites imprisoned him for his involvement in the conflict. His subjects were forced to relocate to the Little Pine and Poundmaker First Nations after the 1885 war. After being released from prison chief Mistahi Maskwa went to live with his subjects at the Poundmaker First Nation. He died there on January 17, 1888.

Charles Cuthbert Bayris Grant: He was born in 1835 in St. Francois (Grantown), Manitoba. He became a counselor for both chief Little Shell II and Little Shell III. His brother Charles Grant was a signatory to the October 2, 1863 Old Crossing Treaty which was also signed by chief Little Shell II. Bayris worked first for chief Little Shell II then chief Little Shell III after his father chief Little Shell II died in 1874. Chief Little Shell III, Bayris, and other Nakawe leaders negotiated with United States representatives during the negotiations over the infamous 10 cent an acre treaty. They abruptly ended the negotiations then were forced off Reservation rolls. Chief Little Shell III relocated to the Turtle Mountain Reservation while he lived at the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. He had no choice but to leave Montana.

Chief Little Bear (aka Imasees): He was born in either the late 1840s or early 1850s. His birth place may have been in Idaho or southwest Montana. Historians may claim he was born in Canada but chief Imasees was very adamant that his father, chief Mistahi Maskwa, lived along the Snake River in Idaho. Chief Mistahi Maskwa relocated up to Montana in the 1860s. By the mid 1860s, Imasees was already becoming a well respected soldier. After the whites had forced their way into southwestern Montana, the Montana Nakawe grew more agitated and many chose to relocate to Alberta and Saskatchewan. In 1885, chief Imasees played a major role in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion.

After the war ended, he led many of the Nakawe who remained loyal, back to their Montana homeland. The whites did not like it and always said of chief Imasees, that he was not native to the United States but was a British subject which was not true. The years between 1885 and 1912, were a burden to chief Imasees who was the leader of the several thousand landless Nakawe of Montana, until chief Rocky Boy took over with chief Imasees permission. Chief Imasees tried to get permission in the late 1880s, from the leaders of the Flathead Reservation, for the landless Nakawe to settle there but the whites used intimidation and Flathead leaders refused. In 1896, the United States rounded up as many of the landless Nakawe of Montana and forced them to relocate to Alberta including chiefs Imasees and Lucky Man. After their arrival to Canada, the Canadians put both chief Imasees and Lucky Man on trial for their roles in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion. Both were acquitted.

Chief Imasees returned to his native Montana afterwards and then became a follower of chief Rocky Boy. He had no choice. The whites didn't like him. Chief Imasees worked closely with chief Rocky Boy and supported chief Rocky Boy's efforts to get a new closed Nakawe Reservation set aside in Montana. The first attempt occurred in 1902. It led to a bill to establish a Nakawe Reservation in the Flathead Reservation for the Nakawe who lived there. The government of the United States refused to ratify the bill to establish the proposed Nakawe Reservation in the Flathead Reservation. That occurred in 1904. With the pending news that land allotments and the break up of the Montana Reservations was soon to occur, chief Imasees contacted Canadian leaders in 1905, and requested from them that the 5,000 to 10,000 landless Nakawe of Montana, be allowed to relocate to Canada. Canada agreed and many landless Montana Nakawe relocated to many of the First Nations in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In November of 1909, the United States rounded up nearly 200 Nakawe led by chief Rocky Boy, in the Helena, Montana region, and forced them to relocate to the Blackfeet Reservation, where a Reservation was set aside for them. Chief Imasees and the Nakawe he led, were also relocated there. Not long after settling down to live on their new Reservation, many of the younger Nakawe became very agitated and a series of diasporas off the Blackfeet Reservation occurred. Both chief Rocky Boy and chief Imasees, were powerless to stop the diasporas. They could only negotiate with United States representatives about having a new closed Nakawe Reservation established. That occurred in 1912 but did not become official until 1916. Chief Imasees assumed control of Rocky Boy Reservation after the death of chief Rocky Boy in 1916. Chief Imasees died in 1921.

Chief Little Shell III (chief Essence III): He was born in 1829 and the son of chief Little Shell II. He inherited his fathers power after chief Little Shell II died in 1874. Chief Little Shell III was probably a native of the North Dakota region but moved into the northeastern part of Montana, in either the 1860s or 1870s. He evidently owned land near where present day Plentywood, Montana is located. He also lived in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. During the late 1880s, the United States commenced to negotiate with chief Little Shell III and his council of 24 and Cuthbert Bayris Grant. The negotiations were over a large area of land the United States wanted to get title to legally. The negotiations lasted several years while chief Little Shell III lived in Montana. Finally, in 1891 chief Little Shell III and his council of 24 and Cuthbert Bayris Grant, told the United States they would not sign the treaty now known as the infamous 10 cent an acre treaty. The United States forced chief Little Shell III and the Nakawe who remained loyal, off of Reservation rolls. They became landless. Chief Little Shell III moved to the Turtle Mountain Reservation after the negotiations ended. He died in 1901.

Chief Bugonaygishig: He is a very interesting Nakawe leader who rose up to fight the United States in October of 1898. In 1889, the United States came up with the Nelson Act. The Nelson Act had a compound impact on the Nakawe of northern Minnesota. Reservations set aside were forced open to white settlers and that did not go well with chief Bugonaygishig and many other Nakawe leaders of northern Minnesota. At the White Earth and Leech Lake Reservations, the United States refused to consult first with the Nakawe leaders about land allotments and surplus Reservation land sold to the whites. They simply set a date for adult Nakawe ment to vote if they wanted to accept the illicit deal or if they did not.

Since they all knew they would receive a great deal of land, they voted overwhelmingly to accept the land allotments. At the Red Lake Reservation the Nakawe leaders told the United States that a war would occur if land allotments were made law. At the Leech Lake Reservation, the whites forced their way in and destroyed the forest that covered the Reservation. It led to problems that led to a battle and near war in 1898. Chief Bugonaygishig was the leader of the October 1898 Nakawe uprising. The United States ordered that chief Bugonaygishig be arrested and that greatly alarmed the Nakawe of the Leech Lake Reservation.

They helped chief Bugonaygishig avoid capture by sending him to an island. Over 80 white soldiers and civilians were sent to the island but were attacked by Nakawe soldiers. In the two day Battle of Sugar Point, Nakawe soldiers killed and wounded 23 of the white soldiers and civilians, sent to capture chief Bugonaygishig. Afterwards, the United States had no choice but to negotiate with the leaders of the Leech Lake Reservation to avoid a war. Most likely they agreed to close the Leech Lake Reservation to white settlement. They did that by establishing the Chippewa National Forest which covers almost all the land area of the Leech Lake Reservation.

Though many consider the Saulteaux from Ontario to be plains Ojibwa, i have not included them because of regional differences. The Saulteaux from northern Ontario are the Anishinabe people who largely settled the plains of Canada and the United States. Many Anishinabe people from Wisconsin did migrate to the plains. But, overall, it was the Anishinabe people from northern Ontario who became the Nakawe or Plains Ojibwa.

References

• Jones, Peter (1961). History of the Ojebway Indians. Ayer Co Pub.
• Warren, William W. (2009). History of the Ojibway People. Minnesota Historical Society Press.

External links

• History of the Ojebway Indians
• The Cree Village
• Nakawe Information
• The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
• Information on the Nakawe diasporas in 1905
• Book about the Nakawe of Alberta and Montana