What can a British Peace Medal presented to a Menominee chief tell us about the American Revolution in Wisconsin?
From the 1600s through the 1800s, Spanish, French, British, and American government officials, missionaries, and traders gave presentation medals to American Indians for a variety of reasons. They may have been given to secure an alliance, commemorate a treaty signing, honor Native visitors to a city, or as a reward for service. Sir Frederick Haldimand, a British army officer and colonial official, gave this medal to Menominee Chief Chawanon — also known as Chakachokama, or Tsheka Tshake Mau — in 1778. It’s a reminder of how Native nations were involved in the Revolutionary War.
Let's take a look
Questions to consider

What were some of the factors that led to the American Revolution? What was happening in the area that we now call Wisconsin around the time the revolution began and who was involved?

What do we know about the use of presentation medals? How did the people who received the medals feel about them and how do we know?

How is the story of the Menominee people and their homelands part of the story of the American Revolution? Why did the British come to the area, and what were they told about it by Chief Chawanon?
Meet the historians
Get to know the historians. Each historian in this episode has a card with information about that historian.
There are 4 cards to read.

Sergio González
History Professor
I research and teach about the history of Latinos in the Midwest.

Nick Hoffman
Public Historian
I get to share our fascinating history and culture with the world!

Cat Phan
Digital Archivist
I take care of photos and videos and sound recordings so they last for a long time into the future!

John W. Hall
History Professor
I study military history in North America and the relations between American Indians, Europeans, and early Americans.
Quote from a historian

“I would argue that much of ensuing American history is kind of a struggle of the United States to live up to ideals that are embodied in the Declaration of Independence. But the flip side of it is that they do feel that the British crown is impinging upon their rights to treat continental North America as something of a birthright.”
John W. Hall
Episode credits
Producer
David Boffa
PBS LearningMedia
Hosts
Sergio González
Nick Hoffman
Cat Phan
Special Guest
David Grignon
John W. Hall
Research and Writing
David Boffa
Tori Charnetzki
Kylie Compe
Ian Glodich
Ryan Hendricks
Videography
David Boffa
Tori Charnetzki
Kylie Compe
Ian Glodich
Editing
David Boffa
Ian Glodich
Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Translation Services
Rev
Educator Support Materials
David Boffa
Mia Forslund
Jen Kobylecky
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Web Development
John Vieth
Digital Content
Mark Riechers
Graphic and Motion Design
Charles Barrows
Ian Glodich
Danielle Riseley
Additional Production Support
Will Salzmann
Terrance Volden
Executive Producer
Ryan Hendricks
Director of Education
Megan Monday
Director of Television
Jon Miskowski
Project Partners
Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History
UW–Madison Libraries
Wisconsin Historical Society
Special Thanks
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Funding provided by
Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout
Eleanor and Thomas Wildrick Family
Focus Fund for Education
Friends of PBS Wisconsin