The Treaty of Chicago was signed on Sept. 26 and 27, 1833, and proved to be a watershed agreement in the dealings between the Potawatomi and the U.S. government. Prior to this treaty, land cessions were relatively small and included land set aside as private reserves for certain signatories. The Treaty of Chicago, however, ensured a substantial land cession of …
Pokagon was a headman among the St. Joseph Potawatomi and veteran of the Northwest Indian War. He ascended to leadership after marrying Elizabeth Topinabee, daughter of prominent tribal leader Topinabee and granddaughter of Nanaquiba. After the death of Topinabee, Pokagon took control of the St. Joseph villages. The St. Joseph Potawatomi had a long association with French Catholic missionaries. Pokagon …