Enmegahbowh

Enmegahbowh (c. 1820 – June 12, 1902; from Enami'egaabaw, meaning "He that prays [for his people while] standing"; also known as John Johnson) was the first Native American to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Because this group of Ojibwe "trade Indians" remained behind while the others pressed farther up the Great Lakes in search of furs, some consider Enmegahbowh an Ottawa.

Enmegahbowh did learn to read and speak English, but after three months, the homesick boy ran away in the night and walked for two days to return to his own people.

[2] On July 4, 1841 Enmegahbowh married Biwabikogeshigequay (Biiwaabiko-giizhig-ikwe, "Iron Sky Woman", and baptized Charlotte), niece of Chief Hole-in-the-Day the elder.

When Minnesota became a state in 1858, the tribes sent representatives to Washington, D.C. led by Chief Little Crow to complain about not receiving the benefits negotiated in the treaty, but had little success.

[4] In March 1880, Enmegahbowh and Chief Fine-Day traveled across the eastern United States for three months in order to raise money for a new St. Columba Episcopal Church at White Earth.

While Whipple would come to be known as Apostle to the Indians, it was Enmegahbowh who served as the bishop's enabler, loyal companion, associate, and interpreter for more than 40 years.