Way Back Wednesday: Massaw, great grandmother of Jim Thorpe

Massaw, great grandmother of Wathohuk [Jim Thorpe], was an influential and distinguished chieftess whose presence carried weight in councils, a right customarily reserved for males. She resided within the village of headman Keewawnay; her cabin reserved for the mediation of both Tribal and American dignitaries. Massaw also played host to popular social gatherings that frequently Read More »

Way Back Wednesday: Abram B. Burnett’s cane

Within the CHC’s ethnology collection is the cane of prominent Citizen Potawatomi leader and Burnett family patriarch Nan Wesh Mah [Abram B. Burnett], on long-term loan from the Kansas History Center. The cane is 36” in length, with a removable 16.5” acid-etched dirk or dagger.

Way Back Wednesday: Yazhwango’gen (bandolier bag)

Housed in the CPN Cultural Heritage Center archival colleection, this item, created in the 1880s, is beautiful loom beaded yazhwango’gen (bandolier bag). It exhibits a classic Ho-Chunk design in both geometric and floral patterns.

Way Back Wednesday: September 23, 2015 – 19th Century Potawatomi leader Ashkum

  In this week’s look into Citizen Potawatomi history, Way Back Wednesday presents an an excerpt from George Winter’s journal regarding ninetenth century Potawatomi leader Ashkum. “Ash-kum was an orator of some consideration and distinction; he however was not continued in such capacity, when I knew him in eighteen thirty-seven… “In his speeches he always Read More »

Way Back Wednesday: September 16, 2015 – The Council of Keewaunay

Illustrating collaborative efforts between the Cultural Heritage Center and Indiana University is the 1837 painting of the Council of Keewaunay between Indiana Potawatomi and U.S. emigration agents. University staff at the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology photographed the paining and provided a digital copy to the Archive and Research division for exhibition and research Read More »

Way Back Wednesday: September 9, 2015 – The Removal Period

Just one week ago marked 177 years since the the 1838 Potawatomi Trail of Death, which forced the ancestors of today’s Citizen Potawatomi Nation from their homelands in the Great Lakes Region to a reservation in Kansas. CPN has several resources available to learn about the Trail of Death, including a daily journal kept by Read More »

Way Back Wednesday: Sept 2, 2015 – 1815 Treaty of Spring Wells

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 signifies the bicentennial of the Treaty of Spring Wells [September 8, 1815]. Agreed to and signed at present Detroit, Michigan, the pivotal treaty was the last in a long line of peace compacts intent on ratifying previous treaties, formally exonerating the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi for their participation in and alliance Read More »