Šųkcąjᵋxocka Gray Wolf (abt. 1831 - aft. 1876)

Born about 1831 in Lake Koshkonong Village, Wisconsin, Michigan Territory, United States

Died after 1876 after about age 45 in Nebraska, United States

Šųkcąjᵋxocka was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Šųkcąjᵋxocka was born about 1831. He was the son of Hųgᵋxų́nųga Little Priest. He passed away after 1876.

Name

"Gray Wolf" in Hocąk is Šųkcąjᵋxocka, from šųkcąk, "wolf (greater canine)"; xoc, "gray"; and -ka, a definite article suffix used in personal names.

Occupation

Gray Wolf was a medicine man or priest. (Smith) He later became a chief and in 1876 was described as one of "the three leading Chiefs of that tribe." (Editorial)

Memorial Celebrations

"After the wake and burial [of Little_Priest-1,] his brother Chief Grey Wolf, a medicine man, called a council of all 12 clans and proposed a celebration in honor of his death and all the warriors who fought with Company A, Omaha Scouts; Nebraska Volunteers. The first celebration, called Pow-wows were held at the Big Bear Village a few miles west of the Missouri River. Around 1885, the celebration moved to the Red Leggs Village of Whirling Thunder, which is about 6 miles southeast of the present town of Winnebago. Over the years, the Pow-wows moved wherever the Winnebago’s moved." (Smith)

Sources

• David Lee Smith, "The Memorial Celebration," Winnebago Indian News, 46, #14 (Saturday, July 28, 2018): 7.
• Editorial: Badger State Banner, 9 August 1873. Reprinted in Paul S Rykken, "Spaulding’s Funeral."