Gerald Neufeld’s (Kaahkaapish) painstaking genealogical research has solved several ancestral mysteries, including the four below. Can you help him solve number 5?
1. Choshup | Joseph Crow Jr. (Sturgeon Clan)
Choshup—Joseph Crow Jr. (Sturgeon Clan)
Wapishkiink—daughter Helen Crow
Cheni—son Jerry Crow
Ahkahk—wife Bella Pascal (Kingfisher Clan)
Young girl—not confirmed
Joseph Crow Jr. was the eldest son of Joseph Crow, Sr. (A’aasi, which translated to English means ‘Crow’ and was thus assigned Crow as last name by an Indian Agent) and Elizabeth Quill (Shaapohkamikohk) (Hallowell A294). Joseph Jr. was born in Pikangikum, Ontario. He moved with his father and siblings to Pauingassi sometime after his mother passed in approximately 1934.
Father’s side
Grandparents
Nihtaawisens (Henry McColl) of Pikangikum First Nation
Ishkwaantemo (Mary Pascal) of Little Grand Rapids First Nation
After Nihtaawisens passed, Ishkwaantemo moved to Pauingassi and married Okimaa. Okimaa was half-brother of Naamiwan and son of Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi. Shenawakoshkank (passed 1881/82) is viewed as having been the patriarchal head of the Moose Clan from that era.
Great grandparents—Nihtaawisens’ parents
Sukashki (E. McColl)
Minchimoo (great grandmother)
Mother’s side
Grandparents (both of Pikangikum)
Inchoke (Joseph Quill) (Moose Clan)
Inkoke (also named Kakike’ ihkwe)
Inchoke is one of two men after whom the school in Pikangikum First Nation is named. Inchoke is the eldest son of Pishiw (Sandy Owen) who in turn, was the eldest son of Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi First Nation.
Pishiw was raised in Pauingassi. When he married, he moved to Stout Lake (in Ojibwe, called Kihchi Opaawankaank), located on the Berens River part way between Little Grand Rapids and Poplar Hill, east of Moar Lake (formerly Eagle Lake).
2. Kohko’o (Charlie Moose Owen) | Moose Clan
Charlie Moose Owen lived at Pauingassi. He was married to Jessie Keeper (Weweshii’o) of Pauingassi. He was the fifth child of Shawtail Owen (Kihchi Ahkakochiish) and Jane Leveque (Kohkohkotiyi) of Little Grand Rapids. Kihchi Ahkakochiish was a younger half-brother to Naamiwan who led traditional ceremonies at Pauingassi.
Charlie Moose Owen also has relatives in Bloodvein River First Nation, resulting from his aunt (younger sister to mother Kohkohkotiyi) marrying a man in that community.
As a young man, Charlie Moose is reported to have participated in the freighting of goods up Berens River to the Little Grand Rapids Hudson’s Bay Company post. He is described as a man having exceptional physical strength on portages and wouldn’t be outdone by anyone. There are approximately 45 portages over that stretch of river. If Charlie’s tumpline (strap that crosses the head or chest to carry goods) and arms weren’t loaded with more weight than other couriers who were carrying freight, he’d tip the balance in his favour by carrying goods with his teeth!
Kohko’o has two sons currently residing in Pauingassi First Nation and one daughter in Poplar Hill (First Nation.
Charlie Moose represented a family that in his age cohort, was a generation older than most of his peer group. Using Shenawakoshkank as a reference, Charlie Moose was a grandson. Other descendants of Shenawakoshkank born in a similar timeframe were great-grandchildren.
Father’s side
Grandparents
Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi
Aanahk (grandmother)
Mother’s side
Grandparents (both of Little Grand Rapids)
Arthur Leveque (Kihchi Mohkomaan), Sturgeon Clan
Peggy Green (Pineshiwaash)
Charlie Moose’s uncle Dick Green (Nanahkowaanakwape – older brother to Peggy) was the first official Councillor of Little Grand Rapids First Nation, following the Adhesion to Treaty 5 signed at Little Grand Rapids on August 4, 1876.
3. Shooniman (Solomon Pascal), Kingfisher Clan
Solomon Pascal was the youngest child of George Pascal (Kihchi Omootayi) and Elizabeth (Anchikwanepiihk) of Stout Lake (Kihchi Opaawankaank), located east of Moar Lake (formerly Eagle Lake) on the Berens River.
Solomon was married to Agnes Owen (Akin) of Pauingassi. She was the daughter of Charlie George Owen (Omishoosh) and his first wife Piiwiite, who was likely from Little Grand Rapids.
Father’s Side
Grandparents
William Pascal (Wiskechaahk)
Elizabeth (Kaakaanaan; also named Maanaatis)
Great-grandparents
Parents of William Pascal:
Paashkaan of Little Grand Rapids
Wakoshens of Bloodvein
Sister of William Pascal: Ishkwaantemo, mother of Joseph Crow, Sr. (A’aasi)
Parents of Elizabeth (Kaakaanaan):
John Owen (Naamiwan) of Pauingassi
Koowin of Berens River
Mother’s side
Grandparents
Peter Turtle (Wiishwaw), Sturgeon Clan of Pikangikum First Nation
Annie Owen (Ihkwet) of Stout Lake, located east of Moar Lake on the Berens River
Great-grandparents
Parents of Annie Owen:
Sandy Owen (Pishiw), originally of Pauingassi
Kaakokishkish, originally of Little Grand Rapids
Sandy Owen (Pishiw) is the eldest son of Shenawakoshkank, head of the Moose Clan during the time of signing of the Adhesion to Treaty 5.
Kaakokishkish is the sister of Dick Green, the first assigned Councillor at Little Grand Rapids following the signing of the Adhesion to Treaty 5 on August 4, 1876.
4. Paakak (William Baptiste), Sturgeon Clan
Paakak (William Baptiste) lived at Little Grand Rapids First Nation. This photo was possibly taken at Kaamanominihkaank (the place where there’s wild rice) near Assinika Lake, north of Pauingassi First Nation.
Paakak was a middle child of John Baptiste (Pachiish) and Sarah White (Mahkache), both of Little Grand Rapids. He was married to Ens. Records show that Ens was likely the daughter of Roderick Keeper. Known names of their children are Harlan, Sarah (Pakaan) and We’we’.
Father’s side
Grandparents
Adam Bigmouth Sr. (Ochiipwaamoshiish)
Fanny Bigmouth (Inchinii, or Injenii*)
*As described in Dr. Jennifer Brown’s writing in “Ojibwe Stories from the Upper Berens River: A. Irving Hallowell and Adam Bigmouth in Conversation.”
Mother’s side
Grandparents
James White Sr. (Ochiimaso)
Michishk (grandmother)
James White Sr. is the son of Shenawakoshkank and a brother of Pishiw, who resided at Stout Lake (Kihchi Opaawankaank) east of Moar Lake (earlier known as Eagle Lake).
Michishk is the daughter of Okaawapwaan and Jane Ross of Berens River.
Other relations
Paakak’s family had relations in Little Grand Rapids, his community of residence, and other communities:
Poplar River
- Paakak’s grandfather Adam Bigmouth Sr. (Ochiipwaamoshiish) had an older brother named Kaashaapowiiyaasit who settled at Poplar River
- Kaashaapowiiyaasit had three sons, two of whom carried the family name with their own children:
- Neninkikwaneyaash (later known as Alex Whiskis) had three sons
- Tetipaahkamikohk (later known as George Franklin) had ten sons and two daughters
Pauingassi
Paakak had multiple family connections to Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi through:
- His maternal grandfather Ochiimaso
- His aunt Anii, who was Shenawakoshkank’s daughter, a full sister to Naamiwan, and was married to Nishkashakaye
Poplar Hill, Pikangikum and Berens River
Paakak’s trapping cabins were located near the community of Berens River. It’s possible the cabins were located here because of his family connection to the Ross family of Berens River.
5. Can you help solve this puzzle?
“I believe this photo features some individuals originally from Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids,” says Gerald Neufeld (Kaahkaapish).
It may be a photo of Pishiw (oldest son of Shenawakoshkank and oldest brother of Naamiwan) along with wives Chankishkish and Kaakokishkish, and other family members, including children Ochooshihshimaa, Miinwaanik and Kakikepinesh, he says.
Do you know?
Is this Piihtos (born 1880-1881; died 1941); daughter of Tetepayapan and Kiitawan; wife of Kakiiweyaasii; grand daughter-in-law of Pishiw?
If you have information, please contact Gerald: gerald.neufeld4@gmail.com
Feature Photo: Henry Neufeld
