Wasso

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Wasso (also known as Owosso) was a 19th century Ojibwa leader of the Shiawassee band. His birth was likely in the 1700's, since Benjamin O. Williams (one of the founders of Owosso, Michigan) calls him "an old man" in 1831.

According to legend, Wasso was the child of a Sauk brave Bukadawin, and Princess Natomo, daughter of a Chippewa chief. In the legend, the Chief of the Chippewa (Princess Natomo's father) adopted Bukadawin into his tribe, who became the husband of his daughter Princess Natomo. Soon after a son was born to the couple. However, an Enemy, Spotted Snake, attempted to kill Bukadawin with a poison arrow. Natomo saw him draw his bow, and threw herself in front of the arrow. Unfortunately, the arrow killed her. The heartbroken Bukadawin buried his wife beneath a birch tree, and named his son "Wasso" meaning "one Bright Spot", who was the last joy of his life.

Wosso was a signatory of the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819 which ceded 24,000 square kilometers (or more than six million acres) in central Michigan to the US government. He was also a signatory of the Treaty of Detroit in 1837 which ceded much of southeastern Michigan and northwest Ohio to the US government.

The city of Owosso, Michigan is named for him.