Ozaawindib facts for kids
.jpg)
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 warrior.
Biography
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. By 1800, the Pilagers including Ozaawindib lived on Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag near Leech Lake, terrain earlier inhabited by the Dakota people, engaged in warfare with migrating Ojibwe.
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.
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 Rowe Schoolcraft about a war party from Leech Lake, departing to pursuit the Dakota. They met Schoolcraft, accompanied by an expedition of men, near Fond du Lac. He convinced Ozaawindib to turn around and serve as his guide back to Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag. Ozaawindib guided Schoolcraft and his men to Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag and then to Omashkoozo-Zaaga’igan, 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 recognmized Ozaawindib as a chief by presenting the guide a medal. According to Schoolcraft, there was no ogimaa (hereditary chief) present in the village, but Ozaawindib was “the principal man in the band.”
Legacy
Ozaawindib is remembered in place names such as Lake Plantagenet (Ozaawindibe-zaaga'igan) and Schoolcraft River (Ozaawindibe-ziibi) in the Anishinaabe language, and as Yellow Head Point of Lake Itasca in English.
In the 2016 antology Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time, Niigaan Sinclair tells Ozaawindib’s story in context of Two-Spirit experiences.
