Though the origins of this secretive fraternal organization are shrouded in mystery, its antecedents can be found in several Native American Medicine Societies of certain Great Lakes tribes. The first mention of the society can be found in H.R. Schoolcraft’s “Algic Researches” of 1839, where in Pauppukeewiss, a “crazy brain”, likens the slippery weasels in his lodge to a “sack of fish” and wishes them good luck in surviving the harsh winter. (La Poudre, Historical and Statistical Information Respecting...the Indian Tribes of the United States. Mentor L. Williams, Editor.)
The society not only managed to survive, but thrived. During the war years it claimed the largest number of furniture movers among its ranks of any other civic organization of its kind in North America. Though interest waned at times, the society has enjoyed something of a renaissance during the ferret boom of the mid 1990’s. Today Slippery Weasels are everywhere. Membership is up, and council meetings are more egalitarian. Due to multiple lawsuits in the early part of this decade the Society has been forced to open its doors to women, dancing bears, and the Irish.
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