Nokomis Chapter
National Society
Daughters of the American
Revolution
Rhinelander, WI
Chapter Name: Nokomis
There are two main reasons for
offering the name NOKOMIS, even though she is only the fictional Indian
grandmother of Hiawatha, the legendary hero of Longfellow's poem of the same
name.
First, Nokomis represents a tribe of Indians who have lived
continuously in what finally became Oneida County, Wisconsin, from an early day
until now, and whose Chippewa descendants still live on the Lac du Flambeau
Indian Reservation of this county.
Secondly, Nokomis reveals a strong and
appealing personality as she rears her orphaned grandson, Hiawatha, and passes
on to him the rich lore and legends of his Indian forefathers.
When
Father Allouez, in 1666, built the first mission on the southern shore of Lake
Superior, he found the Ojibwa of the Algonquin family with their spirit,
Gitchie Gumee, well established there. These tribes were later called Chippewa
and extended their hunting and trapping of fur-bearing animals throughout
the fine virgin timberlands and along the most northern tributaries of the
Wisconsin River. But not until 1836 was Wisconsin territory set off as an
independent territory from the original Northwest Territory. The fur products
were traded to the French voyagers at widely spaced trading posts on the many
waterways of Northern Wisconsin.
Indian trails through the woodlands and
along the water courses became logical sites for these early trading posts and
later pioneer settlements. Thus we understand how the Indians were our earliest
and original citizens and why the entire northern region of Wisconsin has often
been designated as the "land of Hiawatha."
As for Nokomis, her life seems
to parallel the life and work of DAR members in that she sought to instill tribal
patriotism, respect for ancestors, and receptiveness to the moral teachings of
Jesuit priests who also offered education to the young.
Suggested by
Bessie
Meredith
Nokomis Chapter
National Society
Daughters of the American
Revolution
Rhinelander, WI
Chapter Name: Nokomis
There are two main reasons for
offering the name NOKOMIS, even though she is only the fictional Indian
grandmother of Hiawatha, the legendary hero of Longfellow's poem of the same
name.
First, Nokomis represents a tribe of Indians who have lived
continuously in what finally became Oneida County, Wisconsin, from an early day
until now, and whose Chippewa descendants still live on the Lac du Flambeau
Indian Reservation of this county.
Secondly, Nokomis reveals a strong and
appealing personality as she rears her orphaned grandson, Hiawatha, and passes
on to him the rich lore and legends of his Indian forefathers.
When
Father Allouez, in 1666, built the first mission on the southern shore of Lake
Superior, he found the Ojibwa of the Algonquin family with their spirit,
Gitchie Gumee, well established there. These tribes were later called Chippewa
and extended their hunting and trapping of fur-bearing animals throughout
the fine virgin timberlands and along the most northern tributaries of the
Wisconsin River. But not until 1836 was Wisconsin territory set off as an
independent territory from the original Northwest Territory. The fur products
were traded to the French voyagers at widely spaced trading posts on the many
waterways of Northern Wisconsin.
Indian trails through the woodlands and
along the water courses became logical sites for these early trading posts and
later pioneer settlements. Thus we understand how the Indians were our earliest
and original citizens and why the entire northern region of Wisconsin has often
been designated as the "land of Hiawatha."
As for Nokomis, her life seems
to parallel the life and work of DAR members in that she sought to instill tribal
patriotism, respect for ancestors, and receptiveness to the moral teachings of
Jesuit priests who also offered education to the young.
Suggested by
Bessie
Meredith
| Chapter Office | Officer Name |
|---|---|
| Regent | Joanne L (Wagoner) Spinner |
| Vice Regent | Mary Bybee |
| Chaplain | Linda Sauberlich |
| Recording Secretary | Ruth Thompson |
| Registrar | Elizabeth Henry |
| Historian | Beverly Thomas |
| Librarian | Elizabeth Henry |
| Treasurer | Teresa Dorn |
