Ozaawindib ("Yellow Head" in English, recorded variously as Oza Windib, O-zaw-wen-dib, O-zaw-wan-dib, Ozawondib, etc.) (Ojibwe) was an early 19th century (fl. 1797-1832) agokwa[2] warrior. Ozaawindib, who was born male, at times wore attire more typically associated with women.[note 2] Ozaawindib had several husbands, and was considered in a number of ways to be gender-nonconforming.[3]
Ozaawindib was likely born in the mid to late seventeen hundreds. Ozaawindib's father was Wiishkobak ("Sweet" or "Le Sucre", recorded as "Wesh-ko-bug"), a chief of the Leech Lake Pillagers.[4] By 1800 the Pillagers, including Ozaawindib, lived on Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag near Leech Lake - terrain earlier inhabited by the Dakota people, who engaged in warfare with migrating Ojibwe.[4]John Tanner described Ozaawindib status of an aayaakwe in words: "This man was one of those who make themselves women, and are called women by the Indians."[3]
When Tanner encamped on Red River of the North around 1800, he reports that he was the subject of interest of Ozaawindib, who at that time was about 50 years old and already had several husbands. Tanner reported that after rejecting repeated advances by Ozaawindib, Ozaawindib was still determined to win Tanner's heart. Ozaawindib disappeared for a few days and returned to camp with much needed fresh meat. However, even after gifting him with meat, Tanner still rejected Ozaawindib.[5] Finally accepting that the courtship had failed, Ozaawindib became the third wife of Chief Wenji-dotaagan.[note 3]
Alexander Henry reported from his Pembina Post in 1797 that when Ozaawindib was drunk, "he was not merely a nuisance but a bothersome man."[6] By 1800, Ozaawindib and Wenji-dotaagan were listed by Henry as part of his crew, with Henry recalling Ozawiindib having been "the best runner among the Saulteurs [Ojibwe]", famous for a heroic feat during a fight with the Dakota.[1]
In June 1832, Ozaawindib and another Ojibwe from Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag were traveling to the fort at Sault Ste. Marie to inform the Indian agent, Henry Schoolcraft, about a war party from Leech Lake, departing to pursuit the Dakota. They met with Schoolcraft, accompanied by an expedition of men, near Fond du Lac. Schoolcraft convinced Ozaawindib to serve as his guide back to Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag. Ozaawindib guided Schoolcraft and his men to Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag and then to Omashkoozo-Zaaga’igan (Elk-Lake), renamed by Schoolcraft to Lake Itasca. After visiting the source of the Mississippi River, the expedition returned to the Ojibwe village on Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag. On July 16th, 1832, Schoolcraft called a formal council, where he presented Ozaawindib with a medal. According to Schoolcraft, there was no ogimaa (hereditary chief) present in the village, but Ozaawindib was “the principal man in the band.” Schoolcraft did not mention the aayaakwe status or any gender nonconformity from Ozaawindib.
^Both son and brother of Ozaawindib were named Wiishkobak, and the father was present at Prairie du Chien. However, the portrayed man is thought to look too young for the father of at least fifty year old Ozaawindib, so he is likely to be the younger Wiishkobak or another son of the older Wiishkobak.
^By those who have written about Ozaawindib, who may or may not have been familiar with what was considered gendered attire by the Ojibwe at that time and place.
^Wenji-dotaagan (recorded as Wa-ge-to-tah-gun or "That Has a Bell") often he went by Wenji-dot (recorded as "Wa-ge-tote")
Referencesedit
^ abThorstad, David (2015-03-24). "On "Sweet," "Yellow Head," and "Two-Spirit" | MR Online". mronline.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
^Pruden, Harlan; Edmo, Se-ah-dom (2016). "Two-Spirit People: Sex, Gender & Sexuality in Historic and Contemporary Native America" (PDF). National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center.
Catlin, George. (1841) Letters and notes on the Manners, Customs and Condition of the Indians of North America, 1832-39. London: Tosswill and Myers.
Coues, Elliott, ed. (1897) New Light on the Early History of the Greater Northwest: The Manuscript Journals of Alexander Henry and of David Thompson. New York: Francis P. Harper.
Gilfillan, J. A. (1893) Manuscripts of Rev. J. A. Gilfillan. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.
James, Edwin, ed. (1830) Captivity of John Tanner. New York.
Schooolcraft, Henry Rowe. (1834) Narrative of an Expedition Through the Upper Mississippi to Itasca Lake: The Actual Source of This River. New York: Harper & Brothers.
—————, (1851, reprint 1975) Personal Memoirs Of A Residence Of Thirty Years With The Indian Tribes On The American Frontiers. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo and Co., reprint New York: Arno Press
Warren, William W. (1885, reprint 1984) History of the Ojibway People. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.
April 10, 2024
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This article is about the 19th century Ojibwe warrior For other uses see Ozaawindib disambiguation Ozaawindib Yellow Head in English recorded variously as Oza Windib O zaw wen dib O zaw wan dib Ozawondib etc Ojibwe was an early 19th century fl 1797 1832 agokwa 2 warrior Ozaawindib who was born male at times wore attire more typically associated with women note 2 Ozaawindib had several husbands and was considered in a number of ways to be gender nonconforming 3 Wiishkobak Ozaawindib s brother or father note 1 1 in 1825 at Prairie du Chien Contents 1 Biography 2 Legacy 3 Explanatory notes 4 References 5 BibliographyBiography editOzaawindib was likely born in the mid to late seventeen hundreds Ozaawindib s father was Wiishkobak Sweet or Le Sucre recorded as Wesh ko bug a chief of the Leech Lake Pillagers 4 By 1800 the Pillagers including Ozaawindib lived on Gaa Miskwaawaakokaag near Leech Lake terrain earlier inhabited by the Dakota people who engaged in warfare with migrating Ojibwe 4 John Tanner described Ozaawindib status of an aayaakwe in words This man was one of those who make themselves women and are called women by the Indians 3 When Tanner encamped on Red River of the North around 1800 he reports that he was the subject of interest of Ozaawindib who at that time was about 50 years old and already had several husbands Tanner reported that after rejecting repeated advances by Ozaawindib Ozaawindib was still determined to win Tanner s heart Ozaawindib disappeared for a few days and returned to camp with much needed fresh meat However even after gifting him with meat Tanner still rejected Ozaawindib 5 Finally accepting that the courtship had failed Ozaawindib became the third wife of Chief Wenji dotaagan note 3 Alexander Henry reported from his Pembina Post in 1797 that when Ozaawindib was drunk he was not merely a nuisance but a bothersome man 6 By 1800 Ozaawindib and Wenji dotaagan were listed by Henry as part of his crew with Henry recalling Ozawiindib having been the best runner among the Saulteurs Ojibwe famous for a heroic feat during a fight with the Dakota 1 In June 1832 Ozaawindib and another Ojibwe from Gaa Miskwaawaakokaag were traveling to the fort at Sault Ste Marie to inform the Indian agent Henry Schoolcraft about a war party from Leech Lake departing to pursuit the Dakota They met with Schoolcraft accompanied by an expedition of men near Fond du Lac Schoolcraft convinced Ozaawindib to serve as his guide back to Gaa Miskwaawaakokaag Ozaawindib guided Schoolcraft and his men to Gaa Miskwaawaakokaag and then to Omashkoozo Zaaga igan Elk Lake renamed by Schoolcraft to Lake Itasca After visiting the source of the Mississippi River the expedition returned to the Ojibwe village on Gaa Miskwaawaakokaag On July 16th 1832 Schoolcraft called a formal council where he presented Ozaawindib with a medal According to Schoolcraft there was no ogimaa hereditary chief present in the village but Ozaawindib was the principal man in the band Schoolcraft did not mention the aayaakwe status or any gender nonconformity from Ozaawindib Legacy editOzaawindib is remembered in place names such as Lake Plantagenet Ozaawindibe zaaga igan and Schoolcraft River Ozaawindibe ziibi in the Anishinaabe language 7 and as Yellow Head Point of Lake Itasca 8 in English Explanatory notes edit Both son and brother of Ozaawindib were named Wiishkobak and the father was present at Prairie du Chien However the portrayed man is thought to look too young for the father of at least fifty year old Ozaawindib so he is likely to be the younger Wiishkobak or another son of the older Wiishkobak By those who have written about Ozaawindib who may or may not have been familiar with what was considered gendered attire by the Ojibwe at that time and place Wenji dotaagan recorded as Wa ge to tah gun or That Has a Bell often he went by Wenji dot recorded as Wa ge tote References edit a b Thorstad David 2015 03 24 On Sweet Yellow Head and Two Spirit MR Online mronline org Retrieved 2022 12 20 Pruden Harlan Edmo Se ah dom 2016 Two Spirit People Sex Gender amp Sexuality in Historic and Contemporary Native America PDF National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center a b Captivity p 89 a b Letters 2 241 Captivity pp 90 91 New Light p 164 Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary Freelang net 47 12 53 N 95 12 36 W 47 21472 N 95 21 W 47 21472 95 21Bibliography editCatlin George 1841 Letters and notes on the Manners Customs and Condition of the Indians of North America 1832 39 London Tosswill and Myers Coues Elliott ed 1897 New Light on the Early History of the Greater Northwest The Manuscript Journals of Alexander Henry and of David Thompson New York Francis P Harper Gilfillan J A 1893 Manuscripts of Rev J A Gilfillan St Paul Minnesota Historical Society Press James Edwin ed 1830 Captivity of John Tanner New York Schooolcraft Henry Rowe 1834 Narrative of an Expedition Through the Upper Mississippi to Itasca Lake The Actual Source of This River New York Harper amp Brothers 1851 reprint 1975 Personal Memoirs Of A Residence Of Thirty Years With The Indian Tribes On The American Frontiers Philadelphia Lippincott Grambo and Co reprint New York Arno Press Warren William W 1885 reprint 1984 History of the Ojibway People St Paul Minnesota Historical Society Press Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ozaawindib amp oldid 1195926228, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
