Tag Archives: Meskwaki

The History of the Butterfly, Part 140: New Image of an Old Painting

Posted on May 11, 2012 by the roused bear

I ran across this painting the other day and it almost took my breath away.  It may look a little familiar.  I use a black and white reproduction of this painting taken from The Sac and Fox Indians by William … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Fox tribe, Powasheek, Poweshiek, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 133: Conflict Over Sugar

Posted on January 4, 2012 by the roused bear

The Sauk and Meskwaki seasonal cycle prior to about 1820 was to gather in large villages during the summer, where they grew crops and engaged in game-playing and other activities.  Some of the Meskwaki mined lead, which they traded or … Continue reading →

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The History of the Butterfly, Part 131: Meskwaki Women Help Mrs. Smith

Posted on December 31, 2011 by the roused bear

For a few years, from maybe 1835 to about 1839, three small villages of Meskwaki were located along the Iowa River, in or near what is now Iowa City.  Settlers and would-be settlers hung around—some crossing illegally into what was … Continue reading →

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The History of the Butterfly, Part 124: Poweshiek meets John Ross

Posted on December 14, 2011 by the roused bear

In the November 25, 1837 Niles National Register, a speech made by John Ross to some of the Seminoles is reprinted.  In it, he mentions that he has recently met with the chiefs of several northern tribes, and that the … Continue reading →

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The History of the Butterfly, Part 123: The Rivals Dance

Posted on December 12, 2011 by the roused bear

Even while Indian Removal was in full force, the group of Indians that we are following—the “Confederated Sac and Fox” seemed more interested in their warfare and competition with the Sioux than they were with the policy of the U. … Continue reading →

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The History of the Butterfly, Part 114: Indian Agent Street

Posted on November 26, 2011 by the roused bear

“Indian Agents” were individuals who were authorized to interact with various Indian tribes on behalf of the federal government. Prior to the Black Hawk War, the Indian Agent most prominent in dealings with the Sauk and Fox was William Forsyth.  … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 113: More Poweshiek Treaties

Posted on November 22, 2011 by the roused bear

Sometimes I get ahead of myself and don’t always see the details I should.  That is true when I study nature, and it is true as well when I study history. I have discovered a couple more treaties that Poweshiek … Continue reading →

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What is known about Poweshiek?

Posted on November 13, 2011 by the roused bear

Poweshiek was a leader of the Meskwaki from his appointment as chief in about 1830 until his death in 1854.  At some point, probably in the 1850’s, he relenquished his position as chief to another individual, Ma-Me-Nwa-Ne-Ke.  Poweshiek died in … Continue reading →

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The History of the Butterfly, Part 110: Pow-E-Shiek

Posted on November 12, 2011 by the roused bear

No comprehensive history of Chief Poweshiek exists.  There are a number of historical writings that mention him, however. You may remember that Poweshiek became a chief by default, when a number of the Meskawki leaders were massacred by Sioux warriors … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Iowa History, Keokuk, Powasheek, Poweshiek, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

History of the Butterfly, Part 100: A story about Poweshiek

Posted on May 31, 2011 by the roused bear

Poweshiek was not born a chief–he became one by default, sometime after a number of the leaders of his tribe were massacred in 1830. In The Sauks and the Black Hawk War, by Perry A. Armstrong, and published in 1887, … Continue reading →

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