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Post by glenbow on Sept 22, 2015 14:15:43 GMT -5
I am looking for information on a man named John Lecaine. His father, Okute Sica, followed Sitting Bull to the Wood Mountain area of Saskatchewan in 1877 and stayed there after many of the band returned to the United States in 1881. John apparently wrote a manuscript about the Lakota bands who came to Canada after the Little Bighorn fight, drawn from firsthand recollections passed down from his father, Okute Sica. I am very interested in learning more about this manuscript and I have learned that it likely exists in some archive or museum in Western Canada. I have tried to locate it but am still searching. I want to learn more about the old Lakota camp locations and other historical sites around Wood Mountain and Pinto Butte in southern Saskatchewan.
Does anyone have knowledge of this man that they can share? I would be most obliged to learn anything more about him and his writing that I can.
Below is a brief biography of John Okute that I found on the website of the Canadian Museum of Civilization:
Woonkapi Sni (John Lecaine/John Okute)
1890-1964
John Lecaine was the oldest son of Okute Sica and Tasunke Nupawin. He and his siblings were registered under their mother's first husband's name. Only later in life did he begin to use his father's name, Okute. Between 1899 and 1906 he attended the Regina Industrial School where he was given a practical education in agriculture and carpentry. In 1907 he moved with his family to Wood Mountain. Three years later he homesteaded. By 1913 he had proven up his homestead by breaking 32 acres of farmland and building a lumber house, log stable and log granary. John Lecaine did all of his farm work, that is ploughing, seeding, harvesting with horses. He travelled to town and hauled his grain to market with a horse-drawn wagon. To feed his horses in the winter he cut prairie hay with a mower, raked it and loose stacked it.
When the reserve was granted at Wood Mountain his homestead was in the middle of it. He retained his homestead as private property until 1952, when he reclaimed his Indian rights and his homestead became part of the reserve. John Lecaine was a spokesperson for his people from the time he completed school in 1907 until his death in 1964. He was married three times, his first two wives, Florence Cote and Helen Tawiyaka died while still young women. In 1925 he married Christina LaSuisse of the Standing Buffalo Reserve. He had six children in all - Adeline, Stella, John, Grace, Augustus and Margaret. In 1910 John Okute's father took him on a remarkable horseback journey. They rode west to the Frenchman River and then back to Wood Mountain, stopping along the way at more than thirty sites of significance to the Lakota people between 1877 and 1881, sites of Sitting Bull's winter camps, of sun dances, of red ochre mines, of meat caches, of vision quests, of sacred objects, of burials. Later he carefully mapped those sites. John Lecaine became the first Lakota historian of the Lakota people of Canada.
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Post by grahamew on Sept 22, 2015 14:29:18 GMT -5
This sounds really interesting! Good luck!
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Post by lgarcia on Sept 22, 2015 16:41:19 GMT -5
There is a folder on Okute at the Saskatchewan archives in Regina. It does not contain anything that I remember about historical sites.
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Post by gregor on Sept 23, 2015 6:07:15 GMT -5
This is what I have on John Okute Sica – Lecaine: In 1914 Okute Sica requested for homestead land. He was answered by L. Pereira (letter of Nov. 27, 1914) that “Indians” were not eligible for homestead rights. But sometime later Okute Sica and other Lakota men secured homesteads. In 1954 Okute Sice was elected chief of the Wood Mountain Lakota. In old age Okute decided to publish a book with old tales of the Lakota culture and society. His manuscript was labeled “Reflection from the Sioux World”. A befriended teacher, Michael O’Krancy, copied the text with a typewriter. But a publication did not happen. Here you can find some pix of the Okute Family: www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/11892 (Photo of John Okute) www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/11891 (Photo of John & family) www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/11890 (Photo of Mrs. John Okute) In 1963, one year before John Okute Sica’s death, the renowned German author and historian Liselotte Welskopf-Henrich (1901 – 1979) - who wrote several books on the life of the American Indians - visited him at Wood Mountain. Okute Sica told Welskopf-Henrich about his problems to publish his book. After his death, his widow Christina LaSuisse gave the typewriter manuscripts to Welskopf-Henrich. She wanted to publish Okute Sica’s stories in Germany but in spite of all her efforts she could not manage it. The typoscript was found in the inheritance by her son, who gave it to the German Publishers Palisander Verlag. Only long after the passing away John and Welskopf-Henrich Okute’s book – with the consent of descendants - was published in Germany in 2009. The Book has the title “Das Wunder vom Little Bighorn - Erzählungen aus der Welt der alten Sioux /The miracle of Little Bighorn - Tales from the world of the old Sioux”. It was illustrated by the Indian artist Margaux Allard (White Swallow Woman), a granddaughter of the author. As far as I know this book was only published in Germany (?). The Book has 4 parts: Part I: “The world of the old Sioux” (Old Tales of the Lakota) Part II: “The miracle of Little Bighorn” (What happened at Little Bighorn) Part III: “Modern/new Times” (On the Reservation / Sitting Bull’s death) Part IV: “Amber Moon” (a novel) You can take a look into the book via books.google.com/books?isbn=3938305487
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Post by gregor on Sept 23, 2015 6:15:52 GMT -5
And here some biografical data ....
Family of John Okute Sica - Lecaine
Grandfather: Black Moon aka Loves War (Mnikowozu)
Parents Okute Sica (abt. 1865? – aft 1910) Tashunke Nupa Win (LeCaine) aka Emma Loves War (1868 – 1941) 1. Marriage to Archibald LeCaine (NW Mounted Policeman);Archie LeCaine and Emma Loves War separated because she did not wish to move to East Canada. 2. Marriage to Okute Sica in 1889
Siblings Alice Necklace (born LeCaine / 1888 – 19XX) John Okute Sice – Lecaine (1890 - 1964) Charles (1893 - ?) Elizabeth (1895 - ?) aka Lizzie Ogle George (1914 – 1977) Walter, married to Caroline, a son Joe
John Okute Sica – Lecaine (1890-1964)
Wives: 1. Florence Cote (Cree, died young abt. 1911/12) Children: Adeline Warren (born LeCaine, 1910 - 1992)
2.Helen Tawiyaka (Santee, died young in Sept. 1918) Children: Stella Goodwill (born Lecaine/ June 1918 - 1998) raised by Tashunke Nupa Win aka Emma Loves War, married Alexander Goodwill (? – 1972) in 1939
3.Christina LaSuisse (Santee, 1900 – 1992?) Children: John Jr. Grace Augustus “Gus” (*1940) Margaret
In 2005 John Okutes granddaughter Ellen LeCaine was elected chief of the Wood Mountain Lakota.
Toksha Gregor
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Post by glenbow on Sept 23, 2015 8:49:56 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing all of this valuable information, Gregor. It is a great revelation to know that Okute managed to have the book published. I will try to locate a copy and hopefully have it translated to English.
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Post by ladonna on Sept 23, 2015 9:14:39 GMT -5
This is what I have on Black Moon Mincoujou mostly the relatives on the American side Wi Sapa-Black Moon Mnicoujou
Wi Sapa-Black Moon/Loves War b. 1837 d.3-1-1893 (Standing Rock Census 1889) 1st Spouse: Tanka Winyan-Big Woman b. 1845 2nd Spouse: Tatesnawin-Rattling Wind d. 1814 3rd Spouse: Leading Black Moon b. 1837 4th Spouse: Mahpiya luta Win-Red Lodge b. 1844 Children Daughter: Mary Spotted Horse b. 1862 Son: Tawakutezuna-Two Spears-Abraham Two Spears b.1864 Daughter: Nakpagiwin-Brown Ears Woman b. d. 1865 Son: Philip Black Moon b. 1879 Son: Sunkaska-White Dog b. 1870 Son: Cankahuwoautuya-Paul High Back b. 1871 Daughter: Yesotaupiwin- Taken From Her b. 1875 Daughter: Wa ota yapi win-Wounded Often Woman b.1879 Grandson: Yutawajinkte-Henry Black Moon b. 1876 Granddaughter: Psica-b. 1865 Grandson: Sungleska-Spotted Wings b. 1886 Son: Black Cayote-Peter Black Moon b. d. 1920 Son: DogSkin (Wolfskin) Necklace
Wisapa-Black Moon b. 1837 d. 3-1-1893 Spouse: Leading Black Moon b. 1837 Children Son: Philip Black Moon b. 1878
Mary Spotted Horse Black Moon b. 1862 Spouse: Thomas Aspdin Children Daughter: Alice Aspidin b. 1883 Daughter: Annie Aspidin b. 1886 Daughter: Kate Aspidin b. d. 1971
Alice Aspidin b. 1883 Spouse: Walter Lafferty b. 1887 Children Daughter: Eleanor Lafferty b. 1923
Kate Black Moon b. Spouse: Chris William b. Children Son: Morris Williams b.
Philip Black Moon b. 1878 1st Spouse: White Cow Comes Out-Ellen Standing Elk b. 1877 2nd Spouse: Nellie Talks about Him b. 1900 Children Son: Daughter: Minnie Black Moon b. 1905 Daughter: Elsie Black Moon b. 1906 Son: Gilbert Edward Black Moon b. 8-23-1911 d. 7-9-1960
Gilbert Edward Black Moon b. 8-23-1911 d. 7-9-1960 1st Spouse: Margret Eagle Chasing b. 3-3-1918 2nd Spouse: Magdalena Lena Bear Stop b. 8-13-1920 Children Son: Rufus Black Moon b.6-7-1932 Daughter: Norma Black Moon b. 1938 Son: Thomas Black Moon b. 1951 d. 1997 Son: David Black Moon Son: Gabe Black Moon Son: Norvan Black Moon
Minnie Elsie Black Moon b. 1906 Spouse: Andrew Kingmen b.
Thomas Black Moon b. 1951 d. 1997 Spouse: Authureen Garnette b. 6-16-1956 d. 12-28-1997
Loves War/Black Moon Loves War/Blackmoon b. 1832 Spouse: White Cow b. 1852 Children Son: Wounded by Ree b. 1875 Son: Wounded Near -James Loves War b. 1879 Son: Bird Ernest Loves War b. 1881 Son: Just Comes Home Alive b. 1885 Son: Wounded with Many Arrows b. 1892 Son: Narcissi Loves War b. 1895
Wounded Near -James Loves War b. 1878 d. 9-10-1943 1st Spouse: Dora Comes Out Noisy Four Fingers b. 1881 d. 3-31-1926 2nd Spouse: Spouse: Kate Bloody Knife b. 1882 Children Daughter: Julia Loves War b. 1901 d. 10-13-1961 Daughter: Elizabeth Eliza Loves War b. 7-3-1903 d. 5-12-1968 Daughter: Ellen Loves War b. 1906 d. 1915 Daughter: Lucy Loves War b. 1908 Son: James Loves War b. 4-7-1914 Son: Vine Loves War b. 2-20-1920 d. 7-17-1967 Son: Ardmore Loves War b. 11-7-1921 d. 3-26-1927 Step daughter: Madeline Howard Loves War b. 10-5-1911 d. 12-20-1970
George Love War b. 1895 d. 10-1-1918
Henry/Harry Loves war b. 6-25-1891 d.5-5-1981 Spouse: Jessie Water b. 1899 Children Son: Joesph Loves War b. 4-13-1928 Son: Romaine Love War b. 6-8-1930 d. 1963 Daughter: Bertha Loves War b. 5-2-1932 d. 7-17-1940 Daughter: Maxine Loves war b. 4-9-1935 d. 8-3-1990
Louis/Lewis Loves War b. 1886 d. 1-3-1962 Spouse: Mary Eagle b. 1884 Children Daughter: Nellie Eagle b. 5-27-1916 Daughter: Eugenia Loves War b. 5-20-1918
Julia Loves War b. 1901 Spouse: John Arthur Little Dog b. 3-29-1900 Children Daughter: Ramona Little Dog b. 9-3-1921 Daughter: Irene Little Dog b. 8-2-1928 Daughter: Beatrice Little Dog b. 4-4-1931 Son: Rueben little Dog b. 8-2-1932 Son: Emerson Little Dog b. 11-17-1934 Daughter: Marcella Little Dog b. 7-28-1936
Elizabeth Loves War b. 1903 Spouse: Luke Black Eagle
Madeline Howard Loves War b. 10-5-1911 d. 12-20-1970 Spouse: James Distribute b. 12-19-1911 Children Daughter: Amelia Distribute b. 1-3-1932 Daughter: Glorietta Hermaine Distribute b. 6-23-1929 d. 7-16-1961
Eliza Loves War b. 4-22-1911 Spouse: Luke Eagleman Jr. b. 12-9-1906 Children Daughter: Glenda Eagleman b. 1-14 1937
Kate Howard b. 12-22-1904 Children Daughter: Bernice Loves war b. 6-17-1927
Lester Loves War b. 1-16-1927 d. 2-13-1927
Norman Joseph Loves War b. 4-13-1928 d. 7-7-2001
Victor Loves War b. 4-5-1937 d. 7-77-1939 Winfield Loves War b. 1914 d. 9-8-1944 Ernest Loves War b. 12-16-1941 d. 4-3-1992 Judith Loves War b. 9-28-1922 d. 10-11-1922 Winfield James Loves War b. 5-14-1945 d. 8-27-1968
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Post by glenbow on Sept 23, 2015 9:31:45 GMT -5
Thank you for all of this as well, Ladonna!
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Post by ladonna on Sept 23, 2015 10:22:37 GMT -5
Okute Sica (Hard to Shoot) Moose Jaw Canada Spouse: Emma Loves War
Joe Ferguson (He killed Two) Moose Jaw Canada Spouse: Catherine Loves Wars
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Post by grahamew on Sept 23, 2015 11:59:52 GMT -5
Sounds like a manuscript that would could fill in a lot of gaps.
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Post by gregor on Sept 23, 2015 12:01:17 GMT -5
Hi Ladonna,
is the artist Margaux Allard (White Swallow Woman)somehow related to you?
greetings from germany
gregor
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Post by ladonna on Sept 23, 2015 13:59:15 GMT -5
she would be related to my husband is Metis his grandparent are from Canada I am Lakota and Dakota
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Post by gregor on Sept 24, 2015 7:34:56 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing this Information.
Have nice day!
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Post by ladonna on Sept 24, 2015 9:41:49 GMT -5
I found some notes I had on John LeCaine Okute sica was from the Kiglaska Mnicoujou it seems that even though they were mnicoujou they traveled with Sitting Bull's people so people have mistaken them for Hunkpapa. my notes also say that Christina was the grand daughter of Standing Buffalo
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Post by creeladi on Feb 8, 2016 21:19:35 GMT -5
John LeCaine is our Chief's Grandfather, Chief Todd Peigan of the Pasqua First Nation in Saskatchewan. Two of his Daughters with Grandma Christine are still alive Grace lives on Pasqua and Margaret is in BC. His son Gus passed away a few years ago. I grew up with the boys and they are my adopted brothers and I spent many hours with Grandma Christine and I think it was her Mother. Gus' son Preston LeCaine is also my adopted brother.
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