1855 Memorial and Request by Chippewa and Ottawa to President

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Modified: 2009/01/21 17:54 by plhamp - Categorized as: Miscellaneous

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Translation of the Memorial and Request of Chippewa and Ottowa Michigan

Grand Traverse, Michigan
January 16th 1855

We the Chippeways and Ottowa Indians residing in the State of Michigan desire to make known our unanimous wish and mind.

We love the spot where our Forefathers bones are laid and we desire that our bones may rest beside theirs also. Now, Father, when our chiefs sold their lands to you, your advice and counsel to us, was that we should abandon our Indian habits and customs. We have renounced, them, and are trying to follow your advice and examples.

You white people are laboring for your children when you accumulate property, you lay it aside, that they may have the benefit when you are gone. So ever do we desire to do the same for our children.

Our children are reaching forth their hands to you and desire you to keep the money for them which is our due.

You know what is best for us. Our request is to have the interest of that money distributed yearly amongst our children, to enable them to pay for lands and the taxes.

We want to learn about our reservation, about the fields and the payments for our improvements.

We desire you to inform us fully in regard to all our rights under the different Treaties that we and our people may know and understand.

We have purchased lands to make us homes, where we can bring up our children, and from this spot we have risen up to go to Washington, hoping that our wishes and desire may be granted.

We hereunto place our hands:

Nisawakwat Mikwetonsink
Kimimtchakan
Mwakiwina
Kiwckando
Misgwawak
Makatepinesi
Eshkwekwanebi Kitchiwckwetonik
Kowisa
Wakezo
Kekwetose
Tabasikishik
Peshabey
Pinesiwikishink
Naokwekishik
Wahanimiki
Ance
Misaussi
Wapishipishi
Shawanage
Onenago
Otchibwe
Newatekishik
Nenaakomo
Nakanikabawi
Makateanini
Pondiyak
Shabwasank
Tapassa
Pemise
Nookwaam
Etowan
Nanipawi
Minanagwat
Nepaneyasank
Amikwabe
Esiniwi
Jan Batist
Nwatinishgam
Naskar
Meyawatchiwe
Shekwakoshink
Shabwasank
Shawanissi
O Kishten
Takamissi
Kakakishi
Wapotchik

Kakakishin

Wabochik of Sault Ste. Marie
Kakeyashi
Chaowaywa of Michilimackinac

Ainse

1855 7th February

We the Indians (undersigned) residing upon the Grand River with one mind agree with our friends and connexions and desire that this our untied request may be granted. We have the co?? and names of the chiefs who are absent and all are anxious that our wish may be truly granted to us. Our old men and young men are agreed and we desire of our Father to inform us all about the old Treaties made with our ancestors; that we can know and understand what belongs to us and desire our request be granted we have placed our names to this.

Kapimose Washitanouk
Ashkipakash
Shakawabano
Wapikekek
Menitowabi
Kiniwikishink
Wapanekishik
Pepamise
Pemasike
Shekwona
Meshkan
Chigwashi
Kakikegabawi
Meshakiyashi
Opikon
Shabokwaam
Kiokishgam
Newagon
Nwatinishgam
Kishewas
Memishikate
Winagen
Kiwegwaam
Esipan
Kapina
Pemaboko
Shawanikishick
Pepamikabawi
Pinesiwanagwat
Pakikanapano
Kotawinipwa
Pitawikishik
Kakinwan

Nipinisi

(names taken from memorial in native language as it differs in spelling than the translated version and names on original are missing on translated.)

_{Mackinac Agency

Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs 1828-1880

National Archives Microfilm Publications M234 Roll 404 1853-1855}

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1855 Memorial and Request by Chippewa and Ottawa to President