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Traditionals

The Old Ones

 

Chief Abram Burnett, a hereditary Chief of the Potawatomis, 1863

Above: Chief Burnett is wearing a blanket wrapped around his body telling all he maintained his traditional ways and faith as a Potawatomi Indian. Although many Potawatomis attempted to continue traditional lifestyles, assimilation and acculturation was hard to resist as it was forced upon the Potawatomis by the United States government. Between 1867 and 1869, Chief Burnett was documented in 3 photographs, all taken during important delegations and meetings with government officials. Understanding very well the differences between the Indian world and American ways, Chief Burnett cut his hair and dressed in what was noted by Americans as a more dignified and civilized manner before delegations. Indian chiefs such as Abram Burnett believed this would help in negotiations.

Above: Photo of a Potawatomi Man taken in 1870

Above: Photo of a Potawatomi Man taken in 1870

Above: Important Potawatomi Men, hereditary Chief descendants and headmen who were signers of important document, 1890

A group of locally important Potawatomi Indians, apparently photographed in a government or law office at Escanaba, Michigan. Left to right standing are Fred Jones Wanka, Joe Negahnee, and Wis-Ki-Ge-Amatyuk, also known as John Buckshot (Prairie Band Potawatomi, Kansas, principle pipe carrier and ritual leader). Wis-Ki-Ge-Amatyuk, brother of Wahkwabeshkuk/Wahquahboshkuk (Wakwaboshkok, Roily Water), who were sons of Shaumquesteh (Shaum-Num-Teh), who was the son of Chief Sen noge wone. Seated left to right are Joseph Waumegesake (or Wampum, a descendent of the older chief Wampum, born in Manitowoc), Abraham Michicot (or Mishegand, who was born at Mink River in Door County), David Nsa-waw-quet (or Crutch, reportedly the best hunter and trapper in Michigan), Ben Ah-quee-wee (Dr. Ben), and William Keeshik of the Manitowoc band.

Above: Wis-Ki-Ge-Amatyuk, Potawatomi Holyman/Principal pipe carrier

Delegation of Prairie Band Potawatomi from Kansas in Washington, December 8, 1898. Center: Youngest son of Chief Abram Burnett, Abraham Lincoln Burnett, at the age of 34 years old, born in the year 1864, Kansas.

Above: Abraham Lincoln Burnett

Above: Joseph Burnett (to the left) with his younger brother, Abraham Lincoln Burnett (to the right), together in Indian Territory, OK.

Above: Top-Left: Peter Curly (Wisa), Interpreter. Top-Right: Wahquaboshkuk (Roily Water). Bottom-Left with fan: Kiwakouk. Bottom-Right: James Thompson (Nib-akwa/Walking at Night). Delegation photo Washington D.C. June 1898.

Above from left to right: George Wahwasuck (Wa-wa-suck), Jack Masquet (Nan-a-wah), William Whitewater (K-tuck-up). Delegation Photo September 1906.

Above: Potawatomi Man. Delgation Photo in Washington D.C. December 8, 1898.

Above: Wahquaboshkuk (Roily Water). Delegation Photo Washington D.C. June 1898.