The Foxes and Sauks

The Fox and Sauk (typically called Sac by English and Americans; Sakis by French) likely began as very separate tribes, but joined forces at some point.

Sauk (sometimes Osa-ki-wug) translates to "people of the outlet". Missionaries reported Sauks living near the western shore of Lake Huron in 1616. The Jesuit Relation of 1640 mentions the Sauk as an independent tribe. In 1667, Father Claude Allouez wrote of an encounter with the Sauk. He described them as "more savage" than other tribes, saying that they would kill Frenchmen because they couldn't stand the sight of their whiskers.

The Fox tribe called themselves Mesh-kwa-ki-hug (translates to "people of the red earth"). The French had a hard time pronouncing it, so they referred to the people as Renard (Fox in English). Some sources use the term Musquakie. The Ojibawas reportedly refered to the tribe as "Utagamig".

In May of 1712, the Fox and Sauk tribes attacked Fort Ponchartrain. A fight ensued and many of the Foxes and Sauks were killed. After several similar conflicts, the two tribes formed a confederacy and moved to the Rock River Valley in present day Illinois.