Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2022

Martha Tamazawiŋ Toboskas War Eagle Wamadeduda was born around 1815 in Otter Tail, Minnesota.

Her parents were Wambdiokicize Little Eagle War Eagle Huvanike (1785-1851) and Maza Kirawiŋ or Laugh at Iron Woman (1784-1875).

In 1834, Martha married Jacob Tatekokipapi Otherday, who was born around 1816 in Minnesota.

Jacob’s parents were Zitkaduta Redbird Otherday and Zitkada Duta.

The May 1875 Minnesota Territory and State Census noted that Martha and Jacob Otherday lived on the north side of the Minnesota River in what is today Eden Prairie. It is the location of the “Sioux Reservation in Shakopee, Minn,” even though it was not a reservation at all. And it was in Eden Prairie, not Shakopee. Instead, the Otherday family and others had land that they purchased.

The 1880 U.S. Federal Census shows Martha and Jacob are living in Eden Prairie, just across the Minnesota River from Shakopee. According to the Census, Martha was sixty years and was keeping house with her husband, Jacob Otherday.

It also shows that on March 12, 1887, Martha Tamazawiŋ Toboskas War Eagle Wamadeduda married Jacob Tatekokipapi Otherday in the Catholic rites at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Lucie K. Hartley in a book, The Carver Story: Being the Village of Carver, One of the Earliest Towns in the State of Minnesota, the 1897 Carver County Fair included “The Indian Village at the Carver Fair.” Though some of the words are racist, the demonstration shows Martha and the family in their place in Eden Prairie.

“The Indian Village was a feature of interest during the fair days, and could have commanded even more attention had their history been more generally known. From Wednesday evening until Saturday night, war dances and songs were almost continuously held to good audiences and afforded no end of laughter and amusement, although the performances brought back to one’s memory that treacherous native of this race of human beings.

“The ‘tum-tum’ sound of the beaten drum rent the air and vibrated again and again in everybody’s ears, while the ‘hi-yah’ of male voices mingled occasionally with the shrill tones uttered by the squaws echoed incessantly throughout the village.

“On their faces, as likewise their apparel, every hue that the rainbow boasts of was to be found, which gave them a weird expression that only the Red Race can produce. Numerous people threw aside civilized courtesy and manners and intruded into the Indian camp after nightfall to behold the inside of a teepee, and though after bedtime the curiously and inquisitively inclined always received a cordial invitation to look around from any inhabitant that might be awakened.

“These Indians, although appearing to be as savage as ever, which of course was the idea that was brought here to convey, so as to give the growing generations a chance to study the manners and nature of the aborigines they so often hear the early settlers talk of the whites, during the bloody massacre that occurred in this section.”

“They are all well educated, and are devoted members of the Catholic Church. The band of Dakota Sioux was comprised as follows: James Wabashaw, an old man of 72 years, resides at Red Wing and is the old medicine chief; David W. LaFramboise, the present chief, is 31 years old; James and Thomas Otherday; Joseph Campbell, whose Indian name is Mazaicicasna; Joseph Williams; Charles Jackson (Mazahaninajin); Sam Standing Cloud, Thomas Whipple, Jasper T. Windgrow, Paul Windgrow; Fred Wanboiske; Alex LaFramboise, who is grandson of Chief John Otherday and the son of Alex LaFramboise.

“During the war of 1862, Chief Otherday, who has since gone to the ‘Happy Hunting Ground’ saved the lives of 360 white by giving them timely warning of an intended massacre, and was afterward a private in a company under Captain Sibley, while Alexander LaFramboise acted as interpreter in the same company during the entire war.

“The squaws’ names are Josephine and Mary Rock; Lucy, Julia, and Emma Williams; Minnie and Mary Otherday; Lucy Campbell; Mrs. Julia Williams; Mrs. Windgrow, Mrs. James Standing Cloud; Mrs. Emma LaFramboise, Mrs. Lucy Otherday, and Mrs. Julia LaFramboise.”

The 1900 Federal Census noted Martha, according to the records, was 78 years old.

U.S. Indian Census Rolls show Jacob Tatekokipapi Otherday at age 75 (November 13, 1891), age 79 on June 30, 1896, and age 81 years old on June 30, 1897. By the 1910 U.S Census shows Martha Otherday as 86 years old and a widow, so clearly Jacob Tatekokipapi Otherday died before 1910.

Martha Tamazawiŋ Toboskas War Eagle Wamadeduda Otherday died on October 27, 1911, in Eden Prairie, just across the river from Shakopee.

For more information about Martha Tamazawiŋ Toboskas War Eagle Wamadeduda Otherday and Tínṫa Otuŋwe, visit Hoċokata Ti [ho-cho-kah-tah-tee] the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) cultural center and gathering space. The public exhibit, “Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake,” enhances the knowledge and understanding of the Mdewakanton Dakota people and their history. Hoċokata Ti is at 2300 Tiwahe Circle, Shakopee, MN 55379. (952) 233-9151.

Bibliography

Hartley, Lucie K. The Carver Story: Being the Village of Carver, One of the Earliest Towns in the State of Minnesota. 1971.