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HTMLText_0786BC25_269A_8070_419E_81678D50C3C1.html = WISCONSIN: CROSSROADS OF FEDERAL POLICY AND INDIAN RESPONSE
“Brothers! I have listened to a great many talks from our Great Father. But they always began and ended in this – ‘Get a little farther; you are too near to me.’ I have spoken.” Chief Speckled Snake, Creek, 1928
THE REMOVAL POLICY – Most of the tribes in the eastern United States were removed to the “Indian Territory” west of the Mississippi in the 1830s. Wisconsin tribes also were scheduled for removal as white settlements pushed westward. A great intertribal treaty council was held in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin in 1825, supposedly to maintain peace, but really to get tribal agreement on their boundaries to expedite land cessions. By 1848, the year Wisconsin became the thirtieth state, most tribal land in Wisconsin had been ceded except for the reservation granted the Oneida in 1838.
THE REMOVAL POLICY ABANDONED – In 1849, the U.S. government generally abandoned the removal policy in favor of location reservations in the small areas of the vast tracts the tribes had ceded. Hostilities had begun with the Plains tribes, making it impractical to move any more eastern tribes west of the Mississippi. Most of the reservations in Wisconsin today were created by treaty during the 1850s.
WISCONSIN: CROSSROADS OF FEDERAL POLICY AND INDIAN RESPONSE
“Brothers! I have listened to a great many talks from our Great Father. But they always began and ended in this – ‘Get a little farther; you are too near to me.’ I have spoken.” Chief Speckled Snake, Creek, 1928
THE REMOVAL POLICY – Most of the tribes in the eastern United States were removed to the “Indian Territory” west of the Mississippi in the 1830s. Wisconsin tribes also were scheduled for removal as white settlements pushed westward. A great intertribal treaty council was held in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin in 1825, supposedly to maintain peace, but really to get tribal agreement on their boundaries to expedite land cessions. By 1848, the year Wisconsin became the thirtieth state, most tribal land in Wisconsin had been ceded except for the reservation granted the Oneida in 1838.
THE REMOVAL POLICY ABANDONED – In 1849, the U.S. government generally abandoned the removal policy in favor of location reservations in the small areas of the vast tracts the tribes had ceded. Hostilities had begun with the Plains tribes, making it impractical to move any more eastern tribes west of the Mississippi. Most of the reservations in Wisconsin today were created by treaty during the 1850s.
REGALIA
The ornate clothing worn by Native Americans at powwows is known as regalia, or powwow outfits. Fashions have varied through time, by location, and the types of dance styles favored by different nations. Click the link below to learn more about MPM’s James Howard Collection, which includes more than 1,500 pieces of regalia dating between 1930-1982.
REGALIA
The ornate clothing worn by Native Americans at powwows is known as regalia, or powwow outfits. Fashions have varied through time, by location, and the types of dance styles favored by different nations. Click the link below to learn more about MPM’s James Howard Collection, which includes more than 1,500 pieces of regalia dating between 1930-1982.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL AMERICAN INDIAN POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES?
According to the most recent census information, there are 1,989,234 American Indian people living in the country including Eskimos and Aleuts.
HOW MANY AMERICAN INDIANS RESIDE IN WISCONSIN?
The most current census shows that there are 38,986 American Indians living in the state today.
HOW MANY AMERICAN INDIAN PEOPLE LIVE IN MILWAUKEE?
There are at least eight thousand people including families in both the city and the suburbs. Most of the people included in this number are Wisconsin Indians. There are many intertribal offices and organizations in the general Milwaukee area which were formed to service a wide variety of social concerns such as health, employment, education, spiritual, and cultural matters. It is important to remember that reservations and tribal land aren’t the only places that can be termed “Indian Country.” Indian Country is anywhere American Indians gather or live. In Wisconsin, there are Indians living throughout the state in suburban, rural, and urban areas. Milwaukee is Indian Country.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL AMERICAN INDIAN POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES?
According to the most recent census information, there are 1,989,234 American Indian people living in the country including Eskimos and Aleuts.
HOW MANY AMERICAN INDIANS RESIDE IN WISCONSIN?
The most current census shows that there are 38,986 American Indians living in the state today.
HOW MANY AMERICAN INDIAN PEOPLE LIVE IN MILWAUKEE?
There are at least eight thousand people including families in both the city and the suburbs. Most of the people included in this number are Wisconsin Indians. There are many intertribal offices and organizations in the general Milwaukee area which were formed to service a wide variety of social concerns such as health, employment, education, spiritual, and cultural matters. It is important to remember that reservations and tribal land aren’t the only places that can be termed “Indian Country.” Indian Country is anywhere American Indians gather or live. In Wisconsin, there are Indians living throughout the state in suburban, rural, and urban areas. Milwaukee is Indian Country.
SELF DETERMINATION
No two Native American nations have had the same experiences in their relationship with the United States or Canadian governments. Learn more about the Dogrib nation and how they fought for their right to self govern, as well as MPM’s Dogrib collection, at the link below.
SELF DETERMINATION
No two Native American nations have had the same experiences in their relationship with the United States or Canadian governments. Learn more about the Dogrib nation and how they fought for their right to self govern, as well as MPM’s Dogrib collection, at the link below.
EVERYDAY INFLUENCES
You are likely familiar with the names and items on this wall. Everything displayed here is an example of Native American culture that has been incorporated into daily American life.
EVERYDAY INFLUENCES
You are likely familiar with the names and items on this wall. Everything displayed here is an example of Native American culture that has been incorporated into daily American life.
BABYLON
The Neo-Babylonian Empire replaced the Neo-Assyrian Empire after the sack of Assyrian Nineveh in 612 BCE. Babylon came back to political and cultural prominence, with such marvels as the Ishtar Gate, which is reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
Babylon's short-lived glory ended by 540 BCE when it fell before the rapidly expanding Achaemenid Persian empire which had, under Cyrus II, overthrown the Medes a decade earlier. The traditional Persian religious philosophy of Zoroastrianism crystallized about this time; Confucius in China and Buddha in India were spreading their own distinct teachings. In 509 BCE, Rome removed its last king and became a republic; the following year, Athens, having expelled a succession of tyrants, started its experiment with democracy.
Despite Babylon's reputation for decadent excess, its most famous wonder, the Hanging Gardens, have yet to be found, and may even be located elsewhere.
BABYLON
The Neo-Babylonian Empire replaced the Neo-Assyrian Empire after the sack of Assyrian Nineveh in 612 BCE. Babylon came back to political and cultural prominence, with such marvels as the Ishtar Gate, which is reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
Babylon's short-lived glory ended by 540 BCE when it fell before the rapidly expanding Achaemenid Persian empire which had, under Cyrus II, overthrown the Medes a decade earlier. The traditional Persian religious philosophy of Zoroastrianism crystallized about this time; Confucius in China and Buddha in India were spreading their own distinct teachings. In 509 BCE, Rome removed its last king and became a republic; the following year, Athens, having expelled a succession of tyrants, started its experiment with democracy.
Despite Babylon's reputation for decadent excess, its most famous wonder, the Hanging Gardens, have yet to be found, and may even be located elsewhere.
A STORY OF CROSS PURPOSE
“You might as well expect the rivers to run backwards as that any man who was born free should be contented penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.” Chief Joseph, Nez Perce, 1879
Federal policy generally has been based on the expectation that Indians would vanish. The Indian expectation has been to endure. For example, non-Indians saw reservations as way stations for Indians to learn non-Indian ways and leave. Indian people saw reservations as homelands where tribes could preserve tribal cultures.
In some cases, tribal leaders reserved certain land use rights preserving that heritage for future generations. The U.S. government signed these treaties in the belief that these rights would not be exercised for long because Indians would become assimilated into mainstream society. Treat rights varied from tribe to tribe. For example, when the Ojibwe ceded their lands in northern Wisconsin and neighboring lands in Michigan and Minnesota in 1837 and 1842, they alone of all the Wisconsin tribes, reserved the right to fish, hunt, and use other resources in the ceded areas. After they were settled on reservations, the Ojibwe maintained they never gave up these rights and finally won their case in the courts.
A STORY OF CROSS PURPOSE
“You might as well expect the rivers to run backwards as that any man who was born free should be contented penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.” Chief Joseph, Nez Perce, 1879
Federal policy generally has been based on the expectation that Indians would vanish. The Indian expectation has been to endure. For example, non-Indians saw reservations as way stations for Indians to learn non-Indian ways and leave. Indian people saw reservations as homelands where tribes could preserve tribal cultures.
In some cases, tribal leaders reserved certain land use rights preserving that heritage for future generations. The U.S. government signed these treaties in the belief that these rights would not be exercised for long because Indians would become assimilated into mainstream society. Treat rights varied from tribe to tribe. For example, when the Ojibwe ceded their lands in northern Wisconsin and neighboring lands in Michigan and Minnesota in 1837 and 1842, they alone of all the Wisconsin tribes, reserved the right to fish, hunt, and use other resources in the ceded areas. After they were settled on reservations, the Ojibwe maintained they never gave up these rights and finally won their case in the courts.
TRADE ROUTES
Native Americans had extensive trade networks before Europeans arrived. This shell was found in Sheboygan County, but originated in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 1,000 miles away.
One commonly traded item in the prehistoric Great Lakes region was copper, which was almost exclusively mined and worked in what is now Wisconsin. Explore MPM’s collection of Old Copper Culture artifacts at the link above.
TRADE ROUTES
Native Americans had extensive trade networks before Europeans arrived. This shell was found in Sheboygan County, but originated in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 1,000 miles away.
One commonly traded item in the prehistoric Great Lakes region was copper, which was almost exclusively mined and worked in what is now Wisconsin. Explore MPM’s collection of Old Copper Culture artifacts at the link above.
DIVERSE CULTURES
These three statues display a small example of the enormous diversity of cultures and lifeways of Native peoples in the Americas. From left to right:
• A man from the Amazon with blowgun and darts
• A Plains Indian with a stone spear, deerskin clothing, and a bear claw necklace
• An Inuit individual with a kakivak ice fishing spear, wearing a caribou fur parka
DIVERSE CULTURES
These three statues display a small example of the enormous diversity of cultures and lifeways of Native peoples in the Americas. From left to right:
• A man from the Amazon with blowgun and darts
• A Plains Indian with a stone spear, deerskin clothing, and a bear claw necklace
• An Inuit individual with a kakivak ice fishing spear, wearing a caribou fur parka
WELCOME TO MPM’S
A TRIBUTE TO SURVIVAL
This exhibit is meant to serve as an introduction to our larger Native American galleries. The overarching message of this exhibit is that Native Americans are still here and have survived and thrived against many attempts to eradicate and assimilate them into the dominant society. The exhibit stands as a testament to their resilience.
As you explore this exhibit, you’ll notice differently colored text on some labels. The words in blue represent the Native American voice, while the words in white represent the academic voice.
WELCOME TO MPM’S
A TRIBUTE TO SURVIVAL
This exhibit is meant to serve as an introduction to our larger Native American galleries. The overarching message of this exhibit is that Native Americans are still here and have survived and thrived against many attempts to eradicate and assimilate them into the dominant society. The exhibit stands as a testament to their resilience.
As you explore this exhibit, you’ll notice differently colored text on some labels. The words in blue represent the Native American voice, while the words in white represent the academic voice.
NATIVE AMERICAN PORTRAITS
These three paintings of Menominee men and women are housed in MPM’s collection. They were painted by Samuel M. Brookes in 1858. They are invaluable records of the clothing worn and materials used by the Menomonie during this period. While the men are identified on the back on the canvas, the women are nameless. Despite this, the women’s painting is exceptionally rare as Native American women were rarely used as subjects in paintings.
Click on the text below the portraits to learn more about each painting.
NATIVE AMERICAN PORTRAITS
These three paintings of Menominee men and women are housed in MPM’s collection. They were painted by Samuel M. Brookes in 1858. They are invaluable records of the clothing worn and materials used by the Menomonie during this period. While the men are identified on the back on the canvas, the women are nameless. Despite this, the women’s painting is exceptionally rare as Native American women were rarely used as subjects in paintings.
Click on the text below the portraits to learn more about each painting.
FUR TRADE IN WISCONSIN
Europeans first came to Wisconsin to make money in the fur trade. They traded with Native Americans in the area and both cultures had a significant impact on each other. Watch the video to learn more about the fur trade. Then, visit MPM’s website to learn more about two fur traders from Wisconsin, Solomon Juneau and John Baptiste DuBay.
FUR TRADE IN WISCONSIN
Europeans first came to Wisconsin to make money in the fur trade. They traded with Native Americans in the area and both cultures had a significant impact on each other. Watch the video to learn more about the fur trade. Then, visit MPM’s website to learn more about two fur traders from Wisconsin, Solomon Juneau and John Baptiste DuBay.
HORSES
Horses evolved in North America and, over time, travelled across the land bridge to Asia. They went extinct in North America approximately 10,000 years ago. They were reintroduced by the Spanish in the 1500s and greatly changed life for several Native American groups. Horses quickly became a part of Native American culture and art, particularly among the Plains tribes.
HORSES
Horses evolved in North America and, over time, travelled across the land bridge to Asia. They went extinct in North America approximately 10,000 years ago. They were reintroduced by the Spanish in the 1500s and greatly changed life for several Native American groups. Horses quickly became a part of Native American culture and art, particularly among the Plains tribes.
ANTHROPOLOGY
These and other items in this gallery come from our Anthropology department. Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures and their development over time. The people who study the lifeways of people now and in the past are called anthropologists. Watch the video below to learn how some museum anthropologists spend part of their workdays.
ANTHROPOLOGY
These and other items in this gallery come from our Anthropology department. Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures and their development over time. The people who study the lifeways of people now and in the past are called anthropologists. Watch the video below to learn how some museum anthropologists spend part of their workdays.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
In addition to food, everyday objects were also traded between Europeans and Native Americans. Snowshoes were developed by Native Americans and adopted by Europeans to travel during heavy snowfalls. Native American canoes were sold to French fur traders, and European metal was used by Native Americans to create weapons and jewelry. Bison horns were repurposed by Native Americans to hold gun powder.
Bandolier bags are one example of this type of exchange. Originally something carried by European soldiers, Great Lakes Native Americans copied the design, embellishing them with glass beads they acquired through trade. Learn more about these bags and browse MPM’s collection of Bandolier Bags at the link below.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
In addition to food, everyday objects were also traded between Europeans and Native Americans. Snowshoes were developed by Native Americans and adopted by Europeans to travel during heavy snowfalls. Native American canoes were sold to French fur traders, and European metal was used by Native Americans to create weapons and jewelry. Bison horns were repurposed by Native Americans to hold gun powder.
Bandolier bags are one example of this type of exchange. Originally something carried by European soldiers, Great Lakes Native Americans copied the design, embellishing them with glass beads they acquired through trade. Learn more about these bags and browse MPM’s collection of Bandolier Bags at the link below.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
In addition to food, everyday objects were also traded between Europeans and Native Americans. Snowshoes were developed by Native Americans and adopted by Europeans to travel during heavy snowfalls. Native American canoes were sold to French fur traders, and European metal was used by Native Americans to create weapons and jewelry. Bison horns were repurposed by Native Americans to hold gun powder.
Bandolier bags are one example of this type of exchange. Originally something carried by European soldiers, Great Lakes Native Americans copied the design, embellishing them with glass beads they acquired through trade. Learn more about these bags and browse MPM’s collection of Bandolier Bags at the link below.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
In addition to food, everyday objects were also traded between Europeans and Native Americans. Snowshoes were developed by Native Americans and adopted by Europeans to travel during heavy snowfalls. Native American canoes were sold to French fur traders, and European metal was used by Native Americans to create weapons and jewelry. Bison horns were repurposed by Native Americans to hold gun powder.
Bandolier bags are one example of this type of exchange. Originally something carried by European soldiers, Great Lakes Native Americans copied the design, embellishing them with glass beads they acquired through trade. Learn more about these bags and browse MPM’s collection of Bandolier Bags at the link below.
BUFFALO JUMP
Before horses were brought back to North America by the Spanish, Plains Indians hunted on foot using a technique called a “buffalo jump.” To begin, hunters wearing bison hides or wolf skins wandered through the herd to slowly shepherd the animals toward a cliff’s edge. Suddenly, others in the hunting party appeared waving hides and shouting to panic the herd. A stampede was created sending many bison running over the cliff’s edge. Women waited below, ready to begin skinning the animals and cutting the meat. Sun-dried meat, animal hides, and other usable parts of the bison were transported back to camp using dogs pulling travois.
BUFFALO JUMP
Before horses were brought back to North America by the Spanish, Plains Indians hunted on foot using a technique called a “buffalo jump.” To begin, hunters wearing bison hides or wolf skins wandered through the herd to slowly shepherd the animals toward a cliff’s edge. Suddenly, others in the hunting party appeared waving hides and shouting to panic the herd. A stampede was created sending many bison running over the cliff’s edge. Women waited below, ready to begin skinning the animals and cutting the meat. Sun-dried meat, animal hides, and other usable parts of the bison were transported back to camp using dogs pulling travois.
NEW RESOURCES, NEW LIFEWAYS
After the reintroduction of the horse by the Spanish in the 1500s, Plains Indians began hunting bison on horseback. This large diorama shows how hunters worked together to single out a bison to kill. The long reins on the horse would allow a hunter to grab onto them and remount the horse if he should fall off during the hunt.
A skilled hunter could shoot four arrows in less than a minute or spear his target from his higher position on horseback. Bison were used to meet virtually all a tribe’s basic needs – food, shelter, clothing, and tools. As bison became scarcer and hunts became less fruitful, the Plains Indians were careful to use every part of the bison.
NEW RESOURCES, NEW LIFEWAYS
After the reintroduction of the horse by the Spanish in the 1500s, Plains Indians began hunting bison on horseback. This large diorama shows how hunters worked together to single out a bison to kill. The long reins on the horse would allow a hunter to grab onto them and remount the horse if he should fall off during the hunt.
A skilled hunter could shoot four arrows in less than a minute or spear his target from his higher position on horseback. Bison were used to meet virtually all a tribe’s basic needs – food, shelter, clothing, and tools. As bison became scarcer and hunts became less fruitful, the Plains Indians were careful to use every part of the bison.
PORTRAIT LITHOGRAPHS
The two portraits of men hanging in this case are lithographs made by artists such as Charles Bird King of Native American individuals in the 1820s-1840s. While artists sometimes traveled to Native groups, these two portraits were created when these men traveled to Washington for treaty negotiations with the US government. Almost all of the original paintings were destroyed in a fire in Washington. Only the sets of lithographs made from the paintings exist today. These paintings give us a sense of what these men looked like before the advent of photography.
PORTRAIT LITHOGRAPHS
The two portraits of men hanging in this case are lithographs made by artists such as Charles Bird King of Native American individuals in the 1820s-1840s. While artists sometimes traveled to Native groups, these two portraits were created when these men traveled to Washington for treaty negotiations with the US government. Almost all of the original paintings were destroyed in a fire in Washington. Only the sets of lithographs made from the paintings exist today. These paintings give us a sense of what these men looked like before the advent of photography.
THE SIOUX UPRISING
This war club was acquired in Minnesota in 1865, just a few years after the Dakota War (also called the Sioux Uprising) of 1862. Due to its history and age, it is very likely that this club was used, or at least present, during the Sioux Uprising.
The Dakota people declared war on the United States in the summer of 1862 after annuity payments were repeatedly late and they were starving. Most Anglo-American men in the area were off fighting in the Civil War, so it was an opportune time for the Dakota to strike. The uprising resulted in the deaths of more than 500 American men, women, and children, and untold hundreds of Dakotas.
After the war had been quelled by the American government, 303 of the Sioux warriors involved in the conflict were sentenced to death. President Lincoln pardoned the death sentence for all but 38 of them, who were hanged in the largest public execution in the history of this country.
This bloody conflict was the first of a series of Dakota rebellions against the United States, which were finally and brutally quashed at the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, in which up to 300 Native American men, women, and children were gunned down by the US military.
THE SIOUX UPRISING
This war club was acquired in Minnesota in 1865, just a few years after the Dakota War (also called the Sioux Uprising) of 1862. Due to its history and age, it is very likely that this club was used, or at least present, during the Sioux Uprising.
The Dakota people declared war on the United States in the summer of 1862 after annuity payments were repeatedly late and they were starving. Most Anglo-American men in the area were off fighting in the Civil War, so it was an opportune time for the Dakota to strike. The uprising resulted in the deaths of more than 500 American men, women, and children, and untold hundreds of Dakotas.
After the war had been quelled by the American government, 303 of the Sioux warriors involved in the conflict were sentenced to death. President Lincoln pardoned the death sentence for all but 38 of them, who were hanged in the largest public execution in the history of this country.
This bloody conflict was the first of a series of Dakota rebellions against the United States, which were finally and brutally quashed at the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, in which up to 300 Native American men, women, and children were gunned down by the US military.