Indian Dave, a Chippewa elder whose given name was David Stocker, pauses outside his winter camp in Tuscola County in early 1909. Local records note he was well past 100 years old when this photograph was taken, having spent decades living off the land around Saginaw Bay.
Known for his skill in trapping, fishing and basket weaving, Indian Dave often traded his handmade goods for food and supplies. He earned the respect of settlers by teaching traditional crafts and guiding young hunters, leaving a quiet but lasting mark on the community.
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