The most famous bird in American history came from the Waaswaaganing area, now known as the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation. In 1861, the Lac du Flambeau Indians were on their annual spring expedition into the maple sugar bush of the northern forests. Chief Sky, the son of Chief Thunder-of-Bees, encountered two baby eaglets way up atop the pines and took them down. As the people traveled down river they came upon the home of Dan McCann to whom they gave the baby eaglet who would one day become the famous “Old Abe.”

McCann oganawendaan migizi gaa-pi-ishkwaa-oshkinaaweziid, mii dash gaa-ozhitood wiijiindiwaganed migizi Wisconsin zhimaaganishag ogimiimaawaad. McCann omiinawaad Old Abe 8th Wisconsin Regiment Eau Claire endaawaad. Mii gaa-pi-azhegiiwewaad migizi, mii gaa-waanikaazowaad Badgers gaa-noondaagoziwaad War Eagles, mii dash Old Abe ogii-anokiinaawaan omashkawiziwin-wiindamaagewin niibiwa biboonan.

As a part of the War Eagle Company, Old Abe became more famous each day and provided a great source of pride to the men of the Wisconsin 8th. Abe was carried into battle on a perch in the same way as the American Flag. He withstood battles in Wisconsin, Illinois, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. After the war ended, Old Abe traveled across the country and attended national conventions, centennial celebrations and many major events. Abe rested in his home in Madison, Wisconsin, at the end of his life and actually resided in the Capitol building.

aaniin ezhi-biboonikaagin, Abe gii-miinaad ogiimaawin U.S. miinawaa akiing-gaagiigidowinan. 1999-ing, 8th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry gii-nitaa-aazha-dakonaanid Old Abe mazinichigan Jim's Falls, WI, miinawaa 20-daso-dibaabiisag miikanens aking izhinikaazowaad. Awe gichi-wiindamaagozid bineshiinh, gaa-niibaawin Lac du Flambeau gichi-mino-aking, aking apane miinawaa gaa-pi-ondaadizid, gii-mikigozid Chief Sky, mii dash gaa-bimaadizid ikwe-mashkikiwininiwan miinawaa United States ogiimaakanag.