Makade Waagosh

Makade Waagosh (lit. "Black Fox") is an Aasamisagong leader of Ojibwe ethnicity, currently serving as the Chief of the Mississippi River Band of Chippewa Indians (MRBCI) and the High Chief of Aasamisag. Born in 1921 to a rural middle-class family, Makade Waagosh pursued an education at the Pontifical University of Mexico, earning a law degree. After practising law for 10 years, she decided to enter tribal politics, securing a seat in the MRBCI Tribal Council. After a constitutional amendment in 1968 allowed women to serve as tribal chiefs, Makade Waagosh announced her candidacy for the chieftainship of the MRBCI. In 1969, she was elected to the post by the Tribal Council, becoming the first female chief in all of Aasamisag. She became the High Chief of Aasamisag (a nominal, primus inter pares title) in 1971, with her term due to end on January 5th of 1972.