Thomas Wakeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Wakeman
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| Born |
Wowinape (to take refuge)
1846 Probably Kaposia
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| Died | January 13, 1886 (aged 39–40) |
| Spouse(s) | Judith Minnetonka |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent(s) | Little Crow |
Thomas Wakeman (whose Sioux name was Wowinape, meaning "to take refuge") was a leader of the Dakota people (also known as Sioux) who lived from 1846 to January 13, 1886. He is famous for starting the very first Sioux Indian YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association).
Over the years, many Sioux YMCA groups have been created, with more than 1,000 members. As of 2000, these Sioux YMCAs, led by a Lakota Board of Directors, offer programs for families and young people. These programs are located on the large Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, which is about 4,500 square miles (11,655 square kilometers).
Early Life and Family
Thomas Wakeman was born in 1846. His father was Chief Little Crow of the Dakota people. Chief Little Crow's Sioux name was Thaóyate Dúta, which means "His Red Nation." Thomas's birth name was Wowinape, which means "Place of Refuge."
Thomas and his father were part of the Dakota War of 1862. After this conflict, the Dakota and Winnebago people were asked to leave southern Minnesota. Thomas and his father then moved west to what was called Dakota Territory.
They settled near Devil's Lake. In June 1863, they traveled to Minnesota to find horses for their family. On July 3, 1863, while picking raspberries in a forest, Little Crow was killed by a settler.
Wowinape managed to escape and returned to Devil's Lake. Later, he was captured and faced serious charges. He was sent to a prison camp in Davenport, Iowa. While there, he became a Christian and chose the name Thomas Wakeman. He was set free in 1865 and made his home in Dakota Territory.
In January 1874, Thomas Wakeman married Judith Minnetonka. They had six children together: four sons named Solomon, John, Jesse, and Alex, and two daughters named Ruth and Ida.
Starting the Sioux YMCA
On April 27, 1879, Thomas Wakeman and his friends started a group called Koskad Okodakiciye. This name means "Young Man's Association." They began this group in Flandreau, which was then part of Dakota Territory and is now in South Dakota.
In 1885, this group was officially recognized by the national YMCA organization. At that time, its name was changed to the Sioux YMCA. The term "Sioux" was often used by European Americans to refer to different Dakota and Lakota tribes.
Later Years and Legacy
Thomas Wakeman became ill with tuberculosis. He passed away in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, on January 13, 1886. After his death, his son Jesse Wakeman continued his father's important work at the YMCA. Thomas Wakeman's efforts helped establish a lasting organization that supports Dakota and Lakota youth and families.
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Thomas Wakeman
