Petosegay facts for kids

Petosegay or Biidassige (which means Light that is Coming in the Odawa language) was an important Odawa leader. He was born around 1787 and lived until June 15, 1885. He was known as a merchant and fur trader.

Many places are named after him today. These include the city of Petoskey, Michigan, Petoskey State Park, and Camp Petosega. A special type of stone, the Petoskey stone, was found on his land. It was named after him and became Michigan's official state stone. His granddaughter, Ella Jane Petoskey, even signed the bill that made it official!

The Life of Biidassige

Early Years and Family Life

Biidassige was born near the Manistee River in Michigan. His father was Antoine Carre, a French explorer and fur trader. His mother was the daughter of an Odawa chief.

When he was born, his father supposedly held him up to the rising sun. He said, "His name shall be Biidassige, 'Light that is Coming,' and he shall become an important person."

Biidassige grew up near Harbor Springs. At age 21, he married Kewaykabawikwa. She was the daughter of Pokozeegun, an Odawa chief. To celebrate their marriage, they planted apple trees. Some of these trees lived for many decades.

Experiences with Missionaries

In the early 1800s, Jesuit Catholic missionaries came to the area. They became friends with Biidassige and tried to convert him to Catholicism. The Jesuits called him Neyas Petosega. They thought Neyas was short for Ignatius, after Saint Ignatius Loyola. So, they gave him the name Ignatius Petosega.

Later, the US government started Indian schools. These schools aimed to change Native American children's ways of life. Biidassige sent his two oldest sons to one of these schools in Ohio. Other famous Native American writers, like Andrew Jackson Blackbird and Simon Pokagon, also went there.

However, the Jesuits learned that this school was run by Protestants. They asked Biidassige to take his sons out of the school. They even threatened to remove him from the church if he didn't. Biidassige refused and stopped all contact with the Jesuits. Because of her strong Catholic faith, his wife left him for a time.

Founding Petoskey and Later Years

Biidassige moved his family to the southern shore of Little Traverse Bay. He and his older sons bought land there from the government. Much of this land is now the city of Petoskey, Michigan. Biidassige hoped this land would be a safe place for his people. He wanted them to keep their tribal ways without outside interference.

He also became a successful merchant and landowner. There was already an Odawa village called Bear River nearby. Chief Biidassige also fought in the War of 1812. He supported Tecumseh in trying to remove foreign influences from their lands.

In 1852, a Presbyterian Mission was started near Biidassige's village. He decided to join the Presbyterians. He and his children regularly attended their services. His grandson, William Petoskey, later became a Presbyterian minister.

The Jesuits tried to regain influence, but Biidassige's support for the Presbyterian church stopped them. His wife, Kebaykawawikwa, returned after several years. Biidassige welcomed her back.

In 1873, the people living near Bear Creek named their settlement Petoskey. This was done to honor Biidassige, though the name was a slightly changed version of his name.

After his wife died in 1881, he lived with his daughter. Biidassige passed away on June 27, 1885, at a very old age. His son, Ignatius Petoskey, was later thought to be the last chief of the Bear River Band of Odawa. Many of Biidassige's family members still live in the area today.

The Petoskey Stone

A special type of fossil was found on Biidassige's land. It was a type of ancient coral from the Devonian period. This fossil was named the Petoskey stone after him. Later, Governor George W. Romney declared it the official state stone of Michigan. Biidassige's granddaughter, Ella Jane Petoskey, was there for the official signing.

In 2005, a bronze statue of Biidassige was put up in Petoskey. It stands on a hill overlooking the town and Little Traverse Bay.