Waub-o-jeeg, also written Wa-bo-jeeg or other variants of Ojibwe Waabojiig (White Fisher) (c. 1747-1793) was a famous warrior and chief of the Ojibwa

Ojibwa

The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...

. He was born into the Adik (caribou) doodem some time in the mid-18th century near Shagawamikong on the western end of Lake Superior

Lake Superior

Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...

. His father Ma-mong-a-ze-da was also a noted warrior, who fought for the French

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham

Battle of the Plains of Abraham

The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Battle of Quebec, was a pivotal battle in the Seven Years' War...

. Although Wabojeeg's family had intermarried with the Dakota people during times of peace, and he had several Dakota relatives, including the famous chief Wapasha

Wapasha

Wapasha was the name of a Mdewakanton Sioux chief.Wapasha was born in present-day Minnesota in 1718. During his youth he befriended the agents of King Louis XV of France and was a long time friend to the French against the British. Wapasha and his followers were allies of the French, and aided...

, he fought in several battles against the Dakota and Meskwaki

Meskwaki

The Meskwaki are a Native American people often known to outsiders as the Fox tribe. They have often been closely linked to the Sauk people. In their own language, the Meskwaki call themselves Meshkwahkihaki, which means "the Red-Earths." Historically their homelands were in the Great Lakes region...

 during his lifetime. His children, notably his son Weshkii (the renewer) and his youngest daughter Ozhaguscodaywayquay

Ozhaguscodaywayquay

Ozhaguscodaywayquay , also called Neengay or Susan Johnston , was an important figure in the later Great Lakes fur trade. She was born into an Ojibwe family near La Pointe, Wisconsin...

, became prominent in the Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie may refer to:* Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario , a Canadian city** Sault Ste. Marie , a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada...

 area, a major fur trading post.

Waub-ojeeg distrusted white men because of their encroachment on Native territory. When John Johnston

John Johnston (fur trader)

John Johnston was a wealthy and successful British fur trader for the North West Company at Sault Ste. Marie before the War of 1812, and a leader in the Michigan Territory. He never became a US citizen...

, a young Scots-Irish fur trader, fell in love with his eldest daughter, Ozhaguscodaywayquay

Ozhaguscodaywayquay

Ozhaguscodaywayquay , also called Neengay or Susan Johnston , was an important figure in the later Great Lakes fur trade. She was born into an Ojibwe family near La Pointe, Wisconsin...

, and asked the chief to be allowed to marry her. Waub-o-jeeg at first refused, saying: "White Man, I have noticed your behaviour, it has been correct; but, White Man, your colour is deceitful. Of you, may I expect better things? You say you are going to Montreal

Montreal

Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...

; go, and if you return I shall be satisfied of your sincerity and will give you my daughter."

While a respected warrior, Waub-ojeeg was also known for his poetry. He created "Waub-ojeeg's Battle Song", which his son-in-law John Johnston translated into English:

"On that day when our heroes lay low, lay low,

On that day when our heroes lay low

I fought by their side, and thought, ere I died,

Just vengeance to take on the foe,

Just vengeance to take on the foe.



On that day, when our chieftains lay dead, lay dead,

On that day, when our chieftains lay dead,

I fought hand to hand at the head of my band,

And here on my breast have I bled, have I bled,

And here on my breast have I bled.



Our chiefs shall return no more, no more,

Our chiefs shall return no more -

Nor their brethren of war, who can show scar for scar,

Like women their fates shall deplore, deplore,

Like women their fates shall deplore.



Five winters in hunting we'll spend, we'll spend,

Five winters in hunting we'll spend,

Till our youth, grown to men, we'll to the war lead again,

And our days like our fathers' will end, will end,

And our days like our fathers' will end.