Native American Tribes

Paper Summary:

In this paper, the author looks at the origins of Native American tribes. In particular he looks at the Potawatomi tribe who has a lot of history affiliated with the state of Michigan. The author examines the early history of the Potawatomi tribe from their first origins in the area as far back as 1600. The paper examines the meaning of the name Potawatomi which is a translation of the Ojibwe "potawatomink" meaning "people of the place of fire", and looks at alternate names that have been given to this tribe. The author identifies special characteristics of this tribe and looks at their population growth over the years. In conclusion, the author looks at the modern day Potawatomi tribe and what they have achieved. He comments that they have assimilated into American society and that a general governing body has been set up to try and bring them back to their roots and make sure their original reservation land remains in their hands.

From the Paper:

"Shortly after the French built Fort Ponchartrain at Detroit in 1701, groups of Potawatomi settled nearby. By 1716 most Potawatomi villages were located in an area between Milwaukee to Detroit. During the 1760s they expanded into northern Indiana and central Illinois. Land cessions to the Americans began in 1807 and during the next 25 years drastically reduced their territory. Removal west of the Mississippi occurred between 1834 and 1842. The Potawatomi were removed in two groups: the Prairie and Forest Bands from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin went to Council Bluffs in southwest Iowa; and the Potawatomi of the Woods (Michigan and Indian bands) were relocated to eastern Kansas near Osawatomie. In 1846 the two groups merged and were placed on a single reservation north of Topeka. Arguments over allotment and citizenship led to their separation in 1867. The Citizen Potawatomi left for Oklahoma and settled near present-day Shawnee. Most of their lands were lost to allotment in 1889. The Prairie Potawatomi stayed in Kansas and still have a reservation. Several Potawatomi groups avoided removal and remained in the Great Lakes."

More papers on Native American Tribes:

• Research Paper # 147258 : "Classifying Native American Tribes in Cultural Families"
• Essay # 68149 : "European Influence on Native American Tribes"
• Analytical Essay # 9696 : "Native American Culture"

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