Louise Benoist Indian Name

[Spirit of the Owl Woman]

After viewing and studying the Picotte tree's, I discovered Louise Benoist, my great-aunt's Indian name was Waunsidawin or Waansidawin, but I think it is the first spelling. Does anyone know what that means? I would appreciate any help.

I always thought that she was "Winona," she being the first born daughter in her family. And, that Charles F. Picotte's only wife was my aunt, but according to the tree's by Fr. Madlon, Charles had another named Winona who bore him, I believe at this point in studying the tree, Peter, Henry and Charles, Jr.

Anyway, a name translation would be nice. Anyone?

Lavanah

[hermin1]

lavannah: inmy literary search re. the Dakota siouxs. i learned that a child was given two names: the first name aka winona designated it s birth order, and then they were often given a second name that was descriptive.
So, your gret aunt was winona the first born child-a girl, and Waunsidawin, the descriptive name.
the closest i got was compassionate woman. Wauasida
Louie Garcia would know better what the word means.

[Spirit of the Owl Woman]

Thank you so much for Hermin1. I could not tell from Fr. Madlon's handwriting if it was Waa or Wau. But, you are probably right and I will accept your word at it.

Lavanah

[Spirit of the Owl Woman]

Hermin,

I just received this bit of information from Barbara Harmon in an email referencing a book she found on her fathers bookcase:

"...it talks about four Indians that Honore was married to. It also says that Honore's son Charles Felix was first married to a woman named "Merciful" who bore him Peter Picotte. Merciful died short after her marriage."

I then proceeded to the English to Dakota dictionary and looked up Merciful and it is spelled Waonsida. So Waonsidawin is Merciful. Thank you so much for your input Hermin. You are truly appreciated by all.

[Spirit of the Owl Woman]

Hermin,

I just received this bit of information from Barbara Harmon in an email referencing a book she found on her fathers bookcase:

"...it talks about four Indians that Honore was married to. It also says that Honore's son Charles Felix was first married to a woman named "Merciful" who bore him Peter Picotte. Merciful died short after her marriage."

I then proceeded to the English to Dakota dictionary and looked up Merciful and it is spelled Waonsida. So Waonsidawin is Merciful. Thank you so much for your input Hermin. You are truly appreciated by all.

[helen]

Did the book give the names of the (4) Indian wives of Honore Picotte? Have found a reference in a book "A history of the Dakota or Sioux Indians: from their earliest traditions and ... By Doane Robinson Chapter XXIV pgs 245-249"
that says "Mesdames Reulo, Bedaud and Traversee are half Yanktons and sisters of Charles F. Picotte."
Reulo would be Amelia (Menard) Rulo, cannot identify the wife of Traversee and Bedaud would be Sophie (Menard) Bedard. Amelia and Sophie are daughters of Louis Menard and Klanhaywin.
Helen

[akhummingbird]

Hello Helen,

It was not a book that I found in my father's bookcase. Rather a typewritten page from my grandmother's extensive genealogy notes. The page is a transcription of the heirship findings of Lucille Van Solen's estate (for which my grandfather was the executor). I'll endeavor to up load a scanned copy of the document.


Per the heirship findings, Honore Picotte's four wives were:

1. White Necklace (Mrs. Bowed Head) - one daughter, Grace Tatiyopa (aka White Beaver Woman aka Capaskawin). Grace was married twice - to William Irving (had a son Joe Irving) and to a David Tatiyopa (had a daughter Mary Santee).

2. (Unknown name - but the sister of Strike the Ree, Yankton Chief) - one son, Charles F Picotte. (see Lavannah's notes on offspring of Charles F)

3. (Unknown name) - one daughter named Margaret - who married Felix Brunot. In Margaret Brunot's will, she claim Mrs. Louise (Picotte) Van Solen as a sister, and Charles F Picotte as a brother.

4. Eagle Woman Who All Look At (aka Matilda Galpin) - two daughters: Mary Louise (Picotte De Grey Van Solen) and Zoe Lulu (Picotte Harmon).

Sorry, but I could find no reference to a Sophie or Amelia.

warm regards,
Barbara Harmon

[wazi]

Waunsidawin I think maybe it is Compassionate Woman.

Hope that helps.

Wazi

Dec 8, 2008 4:13:46 GMT -5 Spirit of the Owl Woman said:

After viewing and studying the Picotte tree's, I discovered Louise Benoist, my great-aunt's Indian name was Waunsidawin or Waansidawin, but I think it is the first spelling. Does anyone know what that means? I would appreciate any help.

I always thought that she was "Winona," she being the first born daughter in her family. And, that Charles F. Picotte's only wife was my aunt, but according to the tree's by Fr. Madlon, Charles had another named Winona who bore him, I believe at this point in studying the tree, Peter, Henry and Charles, Jr.

Anyway, a name translation would be nice. Anyone?

Lavanah