Flat Mouth (Ojibwa chief)
Flat Mouth was a prominent chief of the Ojibwa (Chippewa) people, known for succeeding his father, Wasonaunequa, an infamous shaman and village chief. Unlike his father, who gained power through violent means, Flat Mouth adopted a different leadership style. He traveled extensively in his youth, interacting with various tribes, including the Cree and Assiniboine, which broadened his perspective. During his leadership, he fought against the Sioux alongside notable figures like Hole-in-the-Day and Curling Hair, as they contended for land around the Mississippi headwaters.
Under the influence of the Shawnee Prophet Tenskwatawa, Flat Mouth publicly rejected poison as a method for dealing with adversaries, signaling a shift in tribal leadership ethics. However, despite these influences, he chose not to support Tecumseh during his pan-Indian rebellion from 1809 to 1811, opting instead to maintain peaceful relations with American settlers. Additionally, during the War of 1812, Flat Mouth turned down British requests to attack American forces and, at times, even aided the Americans. Notably, his leadership allowed the Chippewas to resist forced relocation, enabling them to remain on their ancestral lands.
Flat Mouth (Ojibwa chief)
- Born: 1774
- Birthplace: Leech Lake (now in Minnesota)
- Died: 1860
- Place of death: Leech Lake, Minnesota
Category: Chief
Tribal affiliation: Ojibwa (Chippewa)
Significance: Flat Mouth was a principal chief during the struggles for control of the upper Mississippi Valley region
Flat Mouth succeeded his infamous shaman father, Wasonaunequa, who, as village chief of the Leech Lake Chippewas, attained his position by poisoning his enemies. As a young man, Flat Mouth traveled extensively, living for a time among various tribes, including the Cree and Assiniboine.
With Hole-in-the-Day, Noka, and Curling Hair, Flat Mouth led Chippewa warriors against the Sioux, who were battling for domination of land surrounding the Mississippi headwaters.
Apparently influenced by Tecumseh’s brother, the Shawnee Prophet, Tenskwatawa, Flat Mouth denounced poison as a means for eliminating rivals. Despite Tenskwatawa’s influence, however, Flat Mouth refused aid to Tecumseh during his pan-Indian rebellion in 1809-1811, choosing instead to remain friendly to white Americans. Similarly, Flat Mouth spurned British entreaties to attack Americans during the War of 1812, occasionally aiding Americans during the war. Flat Mouth’s Chippewas were among the few Indian tribes to resist relocation, remaining on tribal lands.