Wamąksgawįga (White Breast Woman) Little Priest (abt. 1820 - abt. 1888)

Wamąksgawįga was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Wamąksgawįga was born about 1820.

Name

Her name has been rendered variously as Wa-nuc-ska-win-kaw and Wanuckshawinkaw. (Waggoner) These are Hocąk versions of her translated name, "White Breast Woman." They represent Wamąksgawįga, from wamąk, "breast, chest"; sga, ska, "white"; -wį-, a feminine gender infix; -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names. This is an attested Bear Clan name.

Marriages

Her first marriage was to Little Priest with whom she had a son, Walking Priest. (Waggoner)

She later married Henry Frenchman Decora. "Mrs. Henry Decora [Wanuckshawinkaw] was a single woman at the time of her death. She had been deserted by her husband who went to Wisconsin with another woman." (Waggoner, citing Regional Archives of Winnebago Agency, roll 87)

Residence

In 1893, Walking Priest inherited land from his mother, Mrs. Henry Decora (Wa nuc ska win kaw): NE/4 of SE/4 & the SW of the SW 12-26-5 and the SW of the NE & the NW of the SE 14-26-5. (Waggoner, citing Winnebago Allotments, page 19)

Death

She passed away about 1888.

Sources

• Linda W[aggoner], "Little Priest’s Wives and Children," Broken Link: www.winnebagotribe.com/images/joomlart/corporate/tribe/win_news/2018/072818/WIN072818.pdf Winnebago Indian News, 46, #14 (Saturday, July 28, 2018): 6c.