Researching my Native heritage for Native American Heritage Day

Today is Native American Heritage Day. Most Americans will boast about a family story which involves an ancestor who was Native American. Most of those stories are proved to be false as they dig into their family history. Growing up I heard a story from both sides of my family tree. My maternal side had a story of a Canadian Indian princess from my grandfather’s paternal side. That story has been proven false through records research as well as genetic testing. However, the story on my paternal side has proven to be correct. My research has revealed that Emilie Marie (nee Bottineau) LaPointe, my 4^th great grandmother, was Cree Indian, born around 1797/1799 around Red River, Manitoba, Canada. Further research has revealed that her mother, Marie Techomegood, my 5^th great grandmother, was Assiniboine Indian born about 1780 around Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I decided to look deeper into the Cree and Assiniboine tribes.

Cree Indians are one of the largest groups of the First Nations in North America. Majority of Cree in Canada live in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The name “Cree” is derived from the Algonkian language, Kiristino, which the Ojibwa used for tribes around Hudson Bay. Historically, the Cree were hunter-gatherers who were strongly associated with the fur trade in North America. Lodges were the basic unit consisting of 8-12 people. Bands were a group of lodges who moved and hunted together. Bands usually had strong ties with neighboring bands through intermarriage and would gather for hunts and socialization. Their number would expand rapidly in the 17^th and 18^th centuries as they profited from the fur trade (Encyclopedia Britannica). Given the traditional acceptance of the Cree for intermarriages, many bands are ultimately of mixed heritages. Those with mixed heritages in Canada is known as Metis, which is French for mixed ancestry. Canada’s Indian and Northern Affairs broadly define Metis as those with First Nations and European ancestry. Today, “early 21st-century population estimates indicated some 90,000 individuals of Cree descent” (Encyclopedia Britannica). It’s exciting to know that I am one of those 90,000 individuals.

Assiniboine Indians are also known as “stone Sioux” or Hohe Nakota who inhabited the Northern Great Plains of North America. They grew into one of the largest and powerful with a horse and warrior culture. At their height, their territory ranged from North Saskatchewan River to the Missouri River. Well known throughout the late 18^th and early 19^th century, Assiniboine tribes were members of the Iron Confederacy along with the Cree. From 1692 to the late 19^th century, the Iron Confederacy were important intermediaries in the Great Plains trading networks with the Hudson Bay Company. The most commonly furs traded were beaver and bison. In return, they would obtain guns, ammo, metal items such as tomahawks and pots, wool items, such as blankets, coasts and leggings, glass beads and other goods. “Their new wealth as traders, successful horsemen, respected warriors and as providers of fresh meat to the numerous trading posts reached a peak from the 1780s to the early 1800s” (Getty, 2020). This period covers the roughly the lifetime of Marie Techomegood and the childhood of Emilie Marie. Sadly, as with many Native tribes, the Assiniboine suffered greatly through wars and epidemics like smallpox.

The traditional lifestyles and culture of the Cree and Assiniboine were semi-nomadic as they would follow and hunt the bison during the warmer months and settled for the winter months. Women had primary responsibilities within the bands. They gathered and cultivated plants for food and medicines. They cared for the young and the elderly. They made the clothing and instruments. They processed and cured the meat and skins, reserving the meat for winter.  Every part of the animals would be used. Hides, tendons, and horns were used for clothing, bedding, tools, and cords. If they could use it, they would. The men were excellent horsemen who hunted, traded, and battled on horseback using bows and arrows. Girls and women were encouraged to learn to ride. Hunt and fight. While the main fighting was left up to the boys and men, women and girls were often called upon for defense of the home as well as offense in battle. Men and women took part in storytelling, artwork, music, and medicine. The Cree and Assiniboine believed that the Sun god and Thunder god were the most important manifestations of the Great Spirit. Bands would participate in an annual Sun Dance.

It was a lot of fun researching my great grandmothers. My 4^th great grandmother, Emilie, died around 1850. Her mother, Marie Techomegood, died around 1815. While reading about the historical events of their lifetimes, I would imagine what it was like for them to experience their events, to hear about them. What were their thoughts? Feelings? Reactions? While I may never know the answers, I feel a connection to them and our shared heritage. My thought is that Techomegood was my 5^th great grandmother’s given name and she possibly took the name, Marie, when she married. I’ve also discovered that Techomegood possibly translates to “Clear Sky Woman.” After discovering Emilie Marie and Marie Techomegood’s native heritage, it was fun and eye-opening researching their possible tribes, its history and culture. I look forward to furthering my research and reading more about the Cree and Assiniboine, to learn more about the people and their stories.

 

References

 

Encyclopedia Britannica. www.britannica.com/topic/Cree. Retrieved November 25, 2020.

 

Getty, Ian A.L. (August 4, 2020) Assiniboine. The Canadian Encyclopedia www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/assiniboine. Retrieved November 25, 2020. 

The History of Lacrosse you may not have realized

Lacrosse is a game many of us may not be familiar with. Many of us don’t know that its origins either. The game of lacrosse has its origins with the Native Americans of Canadian and eastern United States. It is one of the oldest sports in North America. A version of the game originated in Canada as early as 1100 AD. It was a game played with a ball and a stick and would begin as the ball was thrown into the air and the two teams rushing to catch it. The game had important significance to the Natives of North America. The game we now know today was extensively modified by Europeans in the 19^th century.

Different tribes had various names for the game. The Onondaga called it dehuntshigwa’es or “men hit a rounded object.” The eastern Cherokee called it da-nah-wah’uwsdi or “little war.” The Mohawk called it begadwe or “little brother of war.” The game generally tended to be a huge mob of players, ranging from 100 to 1,000 men, and were major events which could last several days. The two teams were generally made up of men from opposing villages in an open field between the two villages. The rules of the game would be decided the day before. Generally there was no out-of-bounds and the goals would range from 500 yards to 6 miles and would be chosen by natural landmarks such as large rocks or trees. The teams would play from sunup to sundown. On the stick there would be placed a mark about chest high. Hits below the mark were not awarded any points. Hits above the mark were awarded one point, hits to the top half of the stick were worth two points and hits to the very top of the stick were worth three points. Also the ball could not be touched with the players’ hands. Scores were loosely kept by the audience or the players and medicine men would act as coaches.

The game would serve different purposes in the lives of the natives. First, it was used to settle any intertribal disputes. The winning team often brought glory and honor to their tribe. Second, it was used to toughen young warriors for combat. As the game could be played for days, it required conditioning and stamina that would be essential for victory in actual battle. Third, it was used simply for recreation. Many native tribes celebrate their heritage with playing the game. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy (or Iroquois Nation) is one example of the game as a time honored tradition. Lastly, the game served religious purposes. The tribes would play together for the “pleasure of the Creator” and to pray together. The game is known as The Creator’s Game. There were rituals before and after the game which were important. The players would decorate their bodies with paint and charcoal as well as decorate their sticks. There were strict taboos about the foods the players could consume before the game. Wagers would be made before the game. After the game, a ceremonial dance would be performed followed by a large feast.

The game was first observed by French Jesuit missionaries in the 1630s. They condemned the game, deeming it too violent and for the use of betting. Jean de Brebeuf wrote about the game and gave it the name lacrosse. He described the Huron playing the game in 1636 using the French term for field hockey, le jeu de la crosse. Despite the Jesuit opposition, the colonists were fascinated by the game. By 1740, many French colonists would be playing it. The interest in the game grew in Canada during the 1800s. In 1856, a Canadian dentist, William George Beers, founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club and is known as the father of modern lacrosse. He would further alter the game by codifying it in 1867. He shorten the length of the game to first team to reach 5 goal or lead by 3. He reduced the number of team members to twelve. He regulated the field to 200 yards. And he redesigned the stick and ball. The Mohawk Lacrosse Club in Troy, New York became the first organized club in the US. By the 20^th century, many high schools, colleges and universities would adopt the game as a league sport. It also became a sport for the 1904 and 1908 Summer Olympics but would be later dropped as an official sport. Today, an indoor version called box lacrosse is played by a team of five.

In conclusion, lacrosse is another example of the Native Americans influence on our lives today. A game that was played for the Creator, it has many purposes in the lives of the Native Americans’ lives and community. It served as training, recreational and religious purposes. For many Native tribes today, it is still played for the Creator and as a celebration of their heritage. Today, it is an organized sport in various parts of the United States and Canada. Lacrosse may have a French name but it is a Native sport at its core. 

Happy Tartan Day! A celebration for those with Scottish heritage

I’ve always had a deep affection for Scotland, its people, its history and culture. Today is Tartan Day which is celebrated in various countries by those who are of Scottish descent. The tartan is easily identifiable of Scottish heritage and culture. The day started as a celebration of Scottish heritage in 1982 and eventually April 6 was chosen to be the official date as it coincides with the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. Many of us would recognize a tartan or the Scottish dress known as a kilt. However, many do not know the meaning behind the patterns or even the colors. The origins of the day were to commemorate an important anniversary.

A tartan is a pattern consisting of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. In the United States, the pattern is often referred to as plaid which in Scottish Gaelic means blanket. Traditionally, the tartans are made of wool; however, modern tartans can be made with different materials. Even though the tartan we are familiar with today did not appear in Scotland before the 16 century, the colors and patterns came to represent the families or clans of Scotland. The tartans are a source of great pride in the Scotland and are seen as a part of their heritage. The popular tartans today are the Royal Stewart tartan which is the official tartan of Queen Elizabeth II and the Black Watch Tartan. There are different tartans that are worn for certain occasions such as dress or hunting.

The Royal Stewart Tartan

The Black Watch Tartan

In 1982, New York Governor Hugh Carey and New York City Mayor Ed Koch declared July 1, 1982 as Tartan Day. It was a one-time celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription of August 12, 1747, the law forbidding Scots to wear tartans. March 9, 1986, a Tartan Day was proposed to promote Scottish heritage in Canada by the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia. This is when April 6^th was chosen as Tartan Day and the first proclamation was made on April 6, 1987 in Nova Scotia. Other Canadian provinces would follow with Quebec proclaiming April 6 as Tartan Day in December 2003. A Tartan Day is celebrated in other countries besides United States and Canada. Australia celebrates Tartan Day in July 1st. Even Argentina which has a large population with Scottish heritage celebrates Tartan Day on April 6th. Regardless when the day is celebrated, Tartan Day is celebrated with parades, Highland dancing and other Scottish themed events.

The Declaration of Arbroath is the declaration of Scottish independence. It was in the form of a letter to Pope John XXII dated April 6, 1320. The declaration intended to confirm Scotland’s status as an independent sovereign state and defending Scotland’s right to use military action when unjustly attacked. The declaration had a two purposes. First, it sought to assert Scotland’s position as an independent kingdom rather than a feudal land controlled by England. Second, it sought to lift the excommunication of Robert the Bruce. The Pope had recognized Edward I of England’s claim to Scotland in 1305 and excommunicated Robert the Bruce for murdering John Comyn in the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries in 1306. It is thought to be written by Bernard of Kilwinning, Chancellor of Scotland and Abbot of Arbroath Abbey. It was signed and sealed by 52 magnates and nobles. It wouldn’t be until March 1, 1328 when the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton renounced all English claims to Scotland and removed the excommunication of Robert the Bruce.

Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. Depending on the country, the dates on which it is celebrated are often important dates in Scottish history. For the United States and Canada, April 6 is used to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. The tartan is a source of pride to the Scottish people. If you are Scottish, Happy Tartan Day!