Expansion & Resistance
Michigan Treaties Map, Bureau of American Ethnology, Smithsonian Institute
In the 1836 Treaty of Washington, tribes ceded to the United States nearly 16 million acres of land in the Lower and Upper Peninsulas (indicated in yellow on this Royce treaty map)
Threat of Removal
The Odawa met the United States in war, first in the Revolutionary War and again in the War of 1812. After the war, the Odawa realized they could no longer resort to taking up arms to defend their way of life and lands.
The United States was aggressively pursuing land, taking the fight to western tribes and enforcing civilization policies on tribal populations that included forced removal to Oklahoma and Kansas. In order to secure a place for themselves and future generations, new strategies had to be developed, specifically nation-to-nation treaties.
Odawa leaders from Waganakising took direct action to avoid removal west. Some leaders, such as Assiginack, removed their bands from Waganakising to Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Other leaders, such as Apawkausegun and Macketebenessy, chose to remain and enter into formal treaties with the United States. As these treaties were being formed, the Odawa continued to face removal, epidemics, loss of resources and the struggle to maintain sovereignty. All of these were factors in decisions that still impact the Odawa and Michigan today.
Kanapima (He Who Is Talked About)
Kanapima, also known as Augustin Hamlin Jr, was born near Harbor Springs in 1813. Kanapima came from a long line of chiefs and leaders of the Waganakising Odawa. As a young boy, he and two cousins were chosen to study at a seminary school in Ohio. From there, Kanapima and a cousin were invited to further their studies in Rome, Italy.
Following the sudden death of his cousin in Rome, Kanapima returned immediately to Waganakising. Upon arrival, the Ogeemak (chiefs) asked the young Odawa to put his education and skills to use in treaty negotiations, fighting against forced removal by the federal government. Kanapima was fluent in Anishnaabemowin as well as being literate in English, French and Latin.
He was chosen as the head interpreter by the tribes for the 1836 treaty. He fought for Odawa rights and for maintaining a place in Waganakising until his death in 1862.
Augustin Hamlin Jr. and the tribal petition letter designating him as the interpreter for the tribes’ party to the 1836 Treaty of Washington D.C.
(above) McKenney and Hall Indian portraits, ca. 1848 to 1850. Courtesy of Library of Congress
(below) Image courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
1812
Great Lakes tribes side with the British against the Americans in the War of 1812
1820
Negotiated at Middle Village and Michilimackinac, the Treaty with the Ottawa and Chippewa ceded several small islands in the Straits to the United States
1823
Various Odawa leaders petition for a Catholic missionary at Waganakising
1824
Odawa leaders from Cross Village protest the establishment of a Christian mission
1830
Indian Removal Act is signed into law by President Andrew Jackson
Did you know…
Section Title
Place information here