Simon Kahquados facts for kids
Simon Kahquados, whose Potawatomi name was Kakanisaiga, was an important leader of the Potawatomi people in Wisconsin, United States. Born on May 18, 1851, he worked hard to help his community. He played a key role in getting the Forest County Potawatomi Community officially recognized by the United States government. He passed away on November 27, 1930.
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Simon Kahquados's Life Story
Early Years and Moving North
Simon Kahquados was born on May 18, 1851. His Potawatomi name was Kakanisaiga. He was born in a Potawatomi village called Black Earth, which is now part of Carlton, Wisconsin. When he was young, his father died, and his grandfather raised him near Whitefish Bay in Door County.
In 1862, the Potawatomi people in Door and Kewaunee Counties faced a big challenge. They were forced to leave their homes and lands. This made them refugees, meaning they had to find new places to live. They split into smaller groups and moved to northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Simon Kahquados was part of a group that moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1864. There, he learned to hunt and trap animals for food and furs. Later, around 1870, his family bought a homestead in Bark River, Michigan. He also worked in the timber industry as a logger.
Working for His People
Unlike some other Native American groups, the Potawatomi who stayed in northern Wisconsin and Michigan did not receive regular payments, called annuities, from the U.S. government. These payments were often part of treaties.
In the early 1900s, Simon Kahquados took action. He traveled many times to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. His goal was to talk to government leaders and convince them to help the Potawatomi people. He wanted to improve their living conditions and get their ancestral lands back. This effort to convince government officials is called lobbying.
Even though he couldn't get back all the land where he was born, his efforts made a huge difference. His actions were very important in helping the Forest County Potawatomi Community become organized and officially recognized by the government in 1913. This recognition was a major step for his people.
To share his message, Kahquados spoke with many historians and scholars. He also gave speeches at public events, like the Wisconsin State Fair. The information he shared is still a valuable source for understanding Potawatomi history and culture today.
Later Life and Final Wishes
After the Forest County Potawatomi Community was officially recognized, Simon Kahquados lived in Marinette County, Wisconsin. He later settled with a friend in Blackwell, Wisconsin.
In his final years, he faced illness and lived in poverty, receiving only $10 a month from the government. He passed away on November 27, 1930. He was first buried in northern Wisconsin. However, his last wish was to be buried near his ancestor, Chief Onanguisse, in Peninsula State Park in Door County.
On May 30, 1931, a special reburial ceremony was held at the park. More than 15,000 people came to honor Simon Kahquados and witness his final resting place.
