Menominee

Markomete, A Menominie

Markomete, meaning Bears Oil, represents a small yet intriguing tribe known as the Menominie, or Folles Avoines, who inhabit areas west of Lake Michigan. Historically respectful, they are noted for their agreeable appearance and peaceful nature, preferring wild rice as sustenance and avoiding conflict. Despite their decline due to European influence and alcohol, they retain a sense of pride and bravery, refusing captivity. Markomete, a distinguished warrior and hunter, is recognized for his influence within the tribe, having visited Washington as part of a delegation.

Black Hawk War

Black Hawk

In the spring of 1831, when Black Hawk and his people returned from their winter hunt, they found the few white settlers whom they had left the fall before increased by many new comers. They found the Indian homes occupied by these settlers, and among their corn hills they found the white man’s wagon. But more aggravating yet, they found the bones of their ancestors disturbed and laid bare upon the ground by the white man’s plow. Black Hawk and his people had borne much the past few years but this seemed too much. He protested, and was told the white man had bought the land from his white father in Washington. He could not understand this. What happened next, has lived on in legends, and displays some of the worse treatment of Native Americans by the white man.