Menominee
Treaty of October 18, 1848
The treaty of October 18, 1848, between the United States and the Menomonee tribe established a framework for the cession of Menomonee lands in Wisconsin. In exchange, the U.S. pledged to provide a sizable tract of land (approximately 600,000 acres) and financial compensation totaling $350,000 for various purposes, including infrastructure and education. It also allowed the Menomonee to remain on their ceded lands for two years and addressed prior grievances regarding unpaid goods. The treaty was to be binding upon ratification by the President and Senate.
Treaty of March 30, 1817
On March 30, 1817, a treaty was signed in St. Louis between the United States and the Menomenee tribe, represented by their chiefs. The treaty aimed to restore peace and friendship following past hostilities, with mutual forgiveness for injuries sustained. It confirmed earlier land cessions to the U.S. and established a commitment to return any prisoners held by either side. The Menomenee acknowledged their allegiance to the United States, signaling a significant moment in U.S.-Indigenous relations.
Treaty of September 3, 1839
On September 3, 1839, a treaty was established at Stockbridge, Wisconsin, between the United States and the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes. The tribes ceded the eastern half of a 46,080-acre tract near Lake Winnebago for compensation. The arrangement allowed for some tribe members to emigrate west, with financial provisions made for both emigrants and those remaining. Additionally, funds were set aside for education and other purposes for the tribes, with stipulations for managing unliquidated claims between members.
Menominee Burial Customs
The Menomini Tribe, encountered by Europeans in the seventeenth century near Lake Michigan, had burial customs similar to the Ojibway. They typically buried their dead in excavated graves, often using birchbark or wood slats. Their graves were protected by logs, and some bodies were scaffolded. In modern practices, they use wooden coffins, and grave sites often include food offerings for the deceased. Non-Christianized Menomini maintained traditional rituals, including specific grave structures and mourning practices.
Treaty of May 12, 1854
On May 12, 1854, a supplemental treaty was signed at Wolf River, Wisconsin, between the United States and the Menomonee tribe. This agreement ceded their lands under an earlier treaty and granted them new territory along Wolf River. The U.S. pledged financial support for a manual-labor school, mills, and other infrastructure improvements, totaling over $300,000 in various forms for the tribe’s relocation and development. The treaty aimed to accommodate the Menomonees’ preference to stay in Wisconsin rather than move westward.
Treaty of February 8, 1831
On February 8, 1831, a treaty was signed between the Menomonee Indians and the United States, defining their territorial boundaries and addressing land cessions. The Menomonees acknowledged their friendship with the government while ceding significant land for the settlement of various New York tribes. In exchange, they were promised financial compensation, agricultural support, and provisions. The agreement aimed to transform the Menomonees from a nomadic lifestyle to settled agriculture, while asserting their sovereignty and preserving certain hunting rights until future negotiations were deemed necessary by the government.
Supplemental Treaty of February 17, 1831
The Supplemental Treaty of February 17, 1831, formalizes amendments to earlier agreements between the United States and the Menomonee tribe regarding land cessions for New York Indians. Key changes include removing the three-year limit for settlement and allowing the President discretion over the timing and process of land apportionment. These modifications reflect the Menomonee’s desire for an amicable resolution and their trust in presidential oversight to ensure the welfare of both tribes. The treaty was signed by representatives of the Menomonee and U.S. commissioners.
Treaty of October 27, 1832 – Menominee
On October 27, 1832, the Menominee chiefs met with U.S. Commissioner G.B. Porter to negotiate a revised treaty following the Senate’s conditional ratification. Initially reluctant, the Menominee ultimately agreed to cede land for the benefit of New York tribes, accepting modifications to previously proposed terms. This agreement aimed to resolve disputes and establish a more equitable arrangement among the tribes. With both sides prepared to ratify the treaty under these new terms, they sought the swift approval of the President and Congress.
Treaty of September 3, 1836
On September 3, 1836, a treaty was established at Cedar Point between Henry Dodge, representing the United States, and the chiefs of the Menomonie nation. The Menomonies ceded approximately four million acres of land along with additional tracts on the Wisconsin River in exchange for annual payments of $20,000 for twenty years, provisions, and various resources. They also relinquished rights from previous treaties, with the U.S. committing to pay certain debts of the tribe. The treaty emphasized the need for the Menomonies to relocate within a year of ratification.
Treaty of February 11, 1856
On February 11, 1856, a treaty was finalized in Keshena, Wisconsin, between the United States and the Menomonee tribe. This agreement ceded a tract of land for the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes, ensuring their relocation near the Menomonee reservation. The United States committed to compensating the Menomonees for this land at sixty cents per acre, aiming to enhance their welfare. Provisions were included to promote the well-being of the Menomonees and uphold their interests, marking a significant legislative effort amid ongoing changes in tribal relations.
Menominee Indians
The Menominee Indians, known as “Wild Rice Men,” inhabited regions along the Menominee River in Wisconsin and Michigan. They were part of the Algonquian linguistic family and lived primarily on wild rice. Their villages, noted in early 20th-century sources, included locations such as Keshena Falls and Portage. By 1854, the Menominee ceded most of their lands, retaining a reservation on the Wolf River. Their population estimates fluctuated from around 3,000 in 1650 to 2,221 by 1937, influencing place names across the region.
Treaty of August 19, 1825
The Treaty of August 19, 1825, aimed to foster peace among several Native American tribes, including the Sioux, Chippewa, Sacs and Fox, and others, amidst ongoing conflicts. Appointed commissioners William Clark and Lewis Cass convened at Prairie des Chiens to establish boundaries and promote mutual conciliation. The treaty outlined a series of articles ensuring a perpetual peace among tribes, the establishment of territorial boundaries, and mutual rights for hunting and land claims. It emphasized the United States’ controlling power while allowing tribes agency in their affairs.
Menominee Indian Treaties
The Menominee tribe engaged in multiple treaties with the United States between 1817 and 1856, primarily concerning boundaries and land cessions. Key agreements include the Treaty of Prairie du Chien (1825) for boundary establishment, various treaties in 1831 modifying land cessions for New York Indians, and the 1848 Treaty of Lake Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay, which ceded all Wisconsin lands in exchange for other territories. The final agreements in 1854 and 1856 further altered their reserves, impacting their territory and rights significantly.
Menominee Tribe
The Menominee Tribe, an Algonquian group, is identified by their name, which relates to the wild rice they cultivate. Historically, they resided near the Menominee River in present-day Wisconsin and were first documented by Jean Nicolet in 1634. The tribe has maintained a peaceful relationship with European settlers and has been characterized by modesty, honesty, and a shared cultural heritage with the Chippewa. Their subsistence heavily relied on wild rice, though they avoided cultivating it out of respect for the land. Today, their population stands at around 1,600.
Menominee Indian Totems
The Menominee Indian totemic system includes several phratry groups, each with specific animal totems. The principal totems noted are the Large-tailed Bear, Stag, and Kilou (a type of eagle). The phratries comprise various totems: the Bear phratry features the Bear, Mud-turtle, and Porcupine; the Eagle phratry includes the Bald Eagle and Crow; the Crane phratry features the Crane and Great Heron; the Wolf phratry has the Wolf and Dog; and the Moose phratry comprises the Moose and Elk, among others.
Indian Tribes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Northwest Territories, 1822
In 1822, the status of Indian tribes in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and the Northwest Territories is critically assessed. The Delawares in Ohio, influenced by Christian teachings, begin to recognize the need for agriculture over a migratory lifestyle. In Pennsylvania, tribes have been significantly diminished, suffering the consequences of encroachment by settlers. Meanwhile, the Michigan and Northwest Territories, once solely occupied by Native tribes, are being explored and monitored by the U.S. government, reflecting the growing importance of these lands for trade and military strategy.
Menomonie and Chippewa History
The Menomonie tribe, once allies with the Chippewas, fell into conflict due to a dispute over fishing rights. A decision by the Menomonie chief to bar the river’s outlet caused famine among the Chippewas, prompting a Chippewa young man to seek reconciliation. Instead, he was humiliated, leading to a war that left the Menomonie town devastated. This conflict became the basis for ongoing hostilities involving multiple tribes, notably the Sioux and Algonquins, shaping a significant chapter in regional history.
Biography of Chief Oshkosh
Chief Oshkosh, born in 1795, was a prominent leader of the Menomonee tribe, known for his skilled defense of his people during conflicts, including the War of 1812. His leadership helped secure peace with the Chippewa and facilitated the Menomonee’s treaty negotiations. Despite his contributions, Oshkosh struggled with alcohol abuse, ultimately leading to his death in 1858. He is remembered for his legacy, including the city named in his honor, reflecting his stature as a respected chief who navigated the complexities of American expansion while advocating for his tribe.
Fox Murderers Wanted
In April 1832, Brig. General Atkinson mobilized troops to Fort Armstrong to prevent war between the Menominee and Fox Indians, following a massacre by the Foxes. Upon arrival, he learned that Black Hawk’s band was preparing to invade Illinois, presenting a new threat. Atkinson sought intelligence from local officials, concluding that strong measures were necessary. Consequently, Illinois Governor Reynolds called up militia forces, which assembled in Beardstown, organized under Brig. Gen. Samuel Whitesides, and prepared for a campaign against the hostile tribes.