Mary Young's posting about Skunk Hill Potawatomi shows that "prairie" is
not a result of the move to Kansas, as the initial posting surmised.
> 3)Prarie Band Potawatomi--live in Kansas
> Of course, the term Prarie referred to Kansas.
At euro contact, Potawatomis were all through what is now Michigan, and
around Lake Michigan (Chicago) and up the edge into Wisconsin. As well,
they were spread out through northern Illinois and Indiana, and some NW
Ohio, I think. Big area. The Prairie Band was mainly from these southern
regions, the Forest Band from more to the north. Accounts differ, but my
best understanding is that the present Citizens Band come mostly from
what was at the removal the Mission Band, called so because they were
already firmly linked up with the Catholic church. Their removal from
Indiana to Kansas is documented as the "Trail of Death."
Mission and Prairie Pots were put together on a 30 mile reservation (SE
corner approx. where Topeka is today). St. Marys, KS, was part of that
and the site of the catholic mission for the Mission Band. The Prairie
Band were the ultra-conservatives. When the gov proposed allotment, the
Missions said yes, and became "Citizens." The Prairies resisted fiercely
(see books on Waquaboshkuk's time as leader) and for a while were
allowed a smaller rez (the present 11 miles square) held in common.
Citizen Band lost all their land (as the gov intended) and were
relocated to Oklahoma. Prairie Band was, in the end, allotted, but their
resistance kept them together in attitude. Perhaps one of the best
storehouses of Potawatomi culture.
Couldn't say much about Forest Potawatomi, since I'm not from there.
I've read they managed to elude removal or went back and got established
enough to remain. There's always been lots of travel back and forth
between Kansas, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma, my dad tells me. Some Pots up
in Canada, too, where we're originally from (related to Ojibwe and
Odawa). When the turbulence started, some Potawatomi folks fled north,
and so there are several bands there. Will know a lot more next week!
This weekend is the second Gathering of the seven bands of Potawatomi
(Forest, Hannahville, Huron, Pokagon, Prairie, Citizen, Canada). It will
take place in Mayetta (the Kansas rez), Sept. 7-10. Built a new powwow
grounds for the occasion. Contact people (according to the flyer I have)
are Juanita Jessepe or Linda Tecumseh at (913) 966-2255. I know this is
short notice, but if you're interested in Potawatomis, this is the
happenin' time and place! Pot. history presentation on Friday at 4 pm.
pama mine' (l8r) --Smokey McKinney
Prairie Band Potawatomi
PBP Language Preservation Project