Joseph Charles Bottineau

=COUNSELOR TO CHIEF LITTLE SHELL II AND LITTLE SHELL III=

Par. X. We have lost Uncle Charles Bottineau, whom you all know was for over 50 years the principal councilman and counselor to the Chief and to the Tribe as well. He was appointed to this responsible office by the late Chief Way-ke-ge-ke-shig, or Little Shell, Sr., and he held this important post during the administrations of. both Way-ke-ge-ke-shig or Little Shell, Sr., deceased, and Ayabeway-we-tung, or Little Shell, Jr., also deceased, the last being the immediate predecessor of Kanick. He continued in office until his death, remaining in Washington at the request of the last delegation, composed of Sass- wain, Poitras, Kakinawash, Awanaquot and Rolette to watch their case, so that it would be properly prosecuted. He was our most influential and most powerful factor in this case and his last words to me were: ‘T leave you, my nephew, to prosecute our undertaking for our own kinsmen’s sake, Angwah-mezin.” And it seems fitting that his memory should be impressed upon all the descendants of the tribe.

Charles Bottineau