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Canku Ota |
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(Many Paths) |
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An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
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April 19, 2003 - Issue 85 |
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Fair Treatment Denied Indians |
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From: The Superior Telegram - February
12, 1916
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credits: submitted
by Timm Severud (Ondamitag)
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Chief
Pitawash, Head of the Chippewas, Complains of Rights Withheld 'Although Presidents Pierce and Grant both promised my father the Indians would always be taken care of they have not been treated as they should have been,' said Chief Pitawash of the Chippewa Tribe his morning. The chief is visiting Superior for a few days before leaving as the head of Indian delegation to Washington to look after Indian rights. One of the matters they are interested in is the ownership of land on Wisconsin Point, which has been used for years as an Indian Cemetery. Pitawash is the chief of all the Chippewas of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, having inherited the leadership of the tribe from his father, Naganub, who died at Fond du Lac a number of years ago. Although 72 years old he is as active as a man of 40 and spends his time traveling from town to town and visiting his people. He has no fixed home at the present time. He was born a few miles from Superior on the north shore and at that time there were no buildings in Superior. A few Indian wigwams on Wisconsin Point composed the only settlement and the Indians at that time owned all the land in the city, which later became valuable. It is in regards to this land that the chief objects to the treatment of his race. Medals
for Friendliness 'Both
of these great men declared that the white people had plenty of money
and that the Indians had plenty of land and for this reason they should
work together,' he said. 'The Indians was to give his land for cultivation
under the plow and the white people were to take care of the Indian as
long as one of them remained.' 'We
gave up all our land but we have now have not been cared for in return.
They now even want to take the ground where our fathers and grandfathers
are buried that they may build more docks and mills.' Although
Pitawash was never in school a day he speaks three languages fluently.
Both English and French he has picked up while working with these people. He expects to leave today for Cloquet, Minnesota where he will meet the other delegates to Washington. He stated that he did not know much about the resolution that had been drawn up but that he would answer all the question that the Indian authorities might ask him after they had read the written resolution. |
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