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The Wahconah Group takes its name from Western Massachusetts and the legend of a resourceful
Indian Princess named Wahconah who had two young braves in a rivalry to determine whose
squaw she would be. Mohawk warrior visiting her village was enchanted by her beauty and
received her father’s permission to marry her the following spring, as her father saw him as a
brave and stalwart man.
One day as Wahconah was collecting firewood, she was attacked by a bear. As she struggled to
escape its claws, a young warrior appeared. He was an Algonquin named Nessacus. With but a
light fish spear, Nessacus killed the bear, though the beast’s talons tore his flesh. The young
man was ill from his wounds for many days, and Wahconah nursed him tenderly with her own
hands. Her beauty and friendliness captured his heart and he asked her father for her hand in
marriage. Wahcoah’s father told him that although he was a brave man and had saved his
daughter's life, he felt that he must keep his promise to the other warrior. Perplexed, the chief
went to the lodge of the medicine man, and the two men smoked many pipes as they discussed
the problem of the two warriors who were in love with Wahconah. Agreement that both warriors
were brave men and had just claims. One of these men claimed Wahconah on a promise, the
other because he had saved her life. Thus, only fate should judge the right warrior, and a contest
should be held. CONTINUE READING
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