Ozaawindib ("Yellow Head" in English, recorded variously asOza Windib,O-zaw-wen-dib,O-zaw-wan-dib,Ozawondib, etc.) (Ojibwe) was an early 19th century (fl. 1797-1832)agokwa^[2] warrior. Ozaawindib, who was born male, at times wore attire more typically associated with women.^{[note 2]} Ozaawindib had several husbands and was considered in a number of ways to begender-nonconforming.^[3]

Ozaawindib was likely born in the mid to late seventeen hundreds. Ozaawindib's father wasWiishkobak ("Sweet" or "Le Sucre", recorded as "Wesh-ko-bug"), a chief of the Leech LakePillagers.^[4] By 1800, the Pillagers, including Ozaawindib, lived onGaa-Miskwaawaakokaag nearLeech Lake - terrain earlier inhabited by theDakota people, who engaged in warfare with migrating Ojibwe.^[4]John Tanner describedOzaawindib status as anaayaakwe in words: "This man was one of those who make themselves women, and are called women by the Indians."^[3]

When Tanner encamped on theRed River of the North around 1800, he reports that he was the subject of interest of Ozaawindib, who at that time was about 50 years old and already had several husbands. Tanner reported that after rejecting repeated advances by Ozaawindib, Ozaawindib was still determined to win Tanner's heart. Ozaawindib disappeared for a few days and returned to camp with much-needed fresh meat. However, even after gifting him with meat, Tanner still rejected Ozaawindib.^[5] Finally accepting that the courtship had failed, Ozaawindib became the third wife of ChiefWenji-dotaagan.^{[note 3]}

Alexander Henry reported from his Pembina Post in 1797 that when Ozaawindib was drunk, "he was not merely a nuisance but a bothersome man."^[6] By 1800, Ozaawindib and Wenji-dotaagan were listed by Henry as part of his crew, with Henry recalling Ozawiindib as having been "the best runner among the Saulteurs [Ojibwe]", famous for a heroic feat during a fight with the Dakota.^[1]

In June 1832, Ozaawindib and another Ojibwe from Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag were traveling to the fort atSault Ste. Marie to inform theIndian agent,Henry Schoolcraft, about a war party from Leech Lake, departing to pursue the Dakota. They met with Schoolcraft, accompanied by an expedition of men, nearFond du Lac. Schoolcraft convinced Ozaawindib to serve as his guide back to Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag. Ozaawindib guided Schoolcraft and his men to Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag and then to Omashkoozo-Zaaga’igan (Elk-Lake), renamed by Schoolcraft toLake Itasca. After visiting the source of theMississippi River, the expedition returned to the Ojibwe village on Gaa-Miskwaawaakokaag. On July 16th, 1832, Schoolcraft called a formal council, where he presented Ozaawindib with a medal. According to Schoolcraft, there was noogimaa (hereditary chief) present in the village, but Ozaawindib was “the principal man in the band.” Schoolcraft did not mention theaayaakwe status or any gender nonconformity from Ozaawindib.

Ozaawindib is remembered in place names such asLake Plantagenet (Ozaawindibe-zaaga'igan) andSchoolcraft River (Ozaawindibe-ziibi) in theAnishinaabe language,^[7] and as Yellow Head Point ofLake Itasca^[8] in English.

• Catlin, George. (1841)Letters and notes on the Manners, Customs and Condition of the Indians of North America, 1832-39. London: Tosswill and Myers.
• Coues, Elliott, ed. (1897)New Light on the Early History of the Greater Northwest: The Manuscript Journals of Alexander Henry and of David Thompson. New York: Francis P. Harper.
• Gilfillan, J. A. (1893)Manuscripts of Rev. J. A. Gilfillan. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.
• James, Edwin, ed. (1830)Captivity of John Tanner. New York.
• Schooolcraft, Henry Rowe. (1834)Narrative of an Expedition Through the Upper Mississippi to Itasca Lake: The Actual Source of This River. New York: Harper & Brothers.
• —————, (1851, reprint 1975)Personal Memoirs Of A Residence Of Thirty Years With The Indian Tribes On The American Frontiers. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo and Co., reprint New York: Arno Press
• Warren, William W. (1885, reprint 1984)History of the Ojibway People. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.

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