Wacouta I facts for kids
Wacouta I (Shooter) (c. 1800–1858) was an important leader of the Red Wing band of the Mdewakanton Dakota. He led his people during a time when the United States was expanding into their traditional lands.
Becoming a Leader
In the spring of 1829, Wacouta faced two big challenges when he became the leader of the Red Wing band. He needed to show his strength to other leaders in his village. He also had to deal successfully with officials from the United States government.
Before Wacouta, a respected chief named Tatankamani (Walking Buffalo) had led the band. Tatankamani, also known as Red Wing, was famous for his bravery. People believed he could see the future through his dreams. He died on March 4, 1829, leaving a big empty space in the leadership.
Wacouta I seemed like the right person to take over. Red Wing's son was sick and could not lead. Wacouta was Red Wing's nephew, and possibly his stepson, so he was next in line. He was in his early thirties, smart, strong, and tall. Most people in the band supported him.
People who met Wacouta, both when he was young and older, spoke highly of him. However, Wacouta was not a war chief. Younger men, led by Mahpiyamaza (Iron Cloud), questioned Wacouta's friendships with white people and his leadership style. Mahpiyamaza was a warrior, more like the old chief Red Wing.
Despite Mahpiyamaza's questions, the Mdewakanton band chose Wacouta as their leader by May 18, 1829. The new chief signed the Second Treaty of Prairie du Chien on July 15, 1830. But the disagreements between Wacouta and Mahpiyamaza continued. In 1832, the Red Wing band split into two groups.
Wacouta and Mahpiyamaza led their own groups. They moved downriver from the village of Red Wing. They set up separate camps near Wabasha's village. Wabasha was a very respected Dakota leader. His group of 500 followers was the largest of the five Mdewakanton communities.
Working with the United States
Wacouta continued to lead his group. In 1837, he traveled to Washington, D.C. with Mahpiyamaza and other important Dakota leaders. In the U.S. capital, the Dakota were pressured to give up their lands east of the Mississippi River. They agreed to do so for yearly cash payments.
Some of the money was meant for "education and civilization." This part caused problems for the Dakota. Also, as part of the agreement, the U.S. government planned to send farmers, missionaries, and teachers to work with the Native Americans.
In 1838, Wacouta and Mahpiyamaza brought their two groups back to Red Wing. They still lived separately because of ongoing tensions. Several missionaries, including Samuel and Persis Dentan, John and Nancy Aiton, and Joseph and Maria Hancock, came to work with the Red Wing band starting in the late 1830s.
In 1851, a U.S. group led by Luke Lea, who was in charge of Native American affairs, and Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota's governor, wanted to meet with Dakota leaders. They wanted to buy the huge lands belonging to the Dakota people.
In July, the U.S. group signed an agreement with the Sisseton and Wahpeton Dakota. This was called the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux. However, the United States still needed the approval of the eastern Dakota.
Wacouta I, along with Wabasha III and Taoyateduta (Little Crow III), agreed to meet with Lea and Ramsey in Mendota, Minnesota. These were all experienced leaders of the Mdewakanton. Mahpiyamaza was also part of this meeting.
Wacouta and his band openly talked about not agreeing to any treaty that would make them lose their homes and village. Some younger Mdewakanton men even threatened to kill anyone who signed such an agreement. Wacouta spoke to everyone there. He spoke sadly about his 1837 trip to Washington, D.C. He said that the white people had tricked the Native American leaders. Wacouta feared more trickery. Wabasha III and Taoyateduta also spoke about broken promises. The talks with the U.S. representatives almost failed.
Despite his worries, Wacouta and other older Mdewakanton chiefs had traveled across the United States. They understood how powerful the growing new nation was in a way that the younger men did not. Even though they didn't want to, the Native American leaders agreed to the land purchase offer.
Wacouta and his band left Red Wing in 1853. They moved to a small reservation in the Minnesota River Valley, near where Morton, Minnesota is today. Wacouta died in their new home five years later.
