Beshekee facts for kids
Beshekee, also known as Pezeke, was an important leader of the Ojibwe people in the 1800s. His name, Bizhiki, means "Buffalo" in the Ojibwe language. He was a respected war chief from the Bear doodem (which is like a family group or clan) of the Pillager Chippewa Band.
When he was younger, Beshekee signed the 1837 Treaty of St. Peters. He signed it as Pe-zhe-kins, which means "Young Buffalo." The Pillager Band was known for having very skilled fighters. Beshekee was one of the most respected among them. They often fought in conflicts against the Dakota people.
In 1855, Beshekee traveled to Washington, D.C. with another important Pillager leader named Aysh-ke-bah-ke-ko-zhay (Flat Mouth). They went to talk about the concerns of the Mississippi Chippewa people. They also discussed giving up some Ojibwe lands near the start of the Mississippi River to the U.S. Government.
Later, Beshekee signed another agreement, the 1863 Treaty. This treaty helped to address some of the issues they had discussed. It created permanent reservations (special lands set aside for Native American tribes) in Minnesota. One of these important reservations was at Leech Lake.
