Overcoming the White Man

Overcoming the White Man

Thank you for joining me here today. As you already know, we are in a battle for our land. The Americans are getting closer to the Wabash. The Long Knives think that this great land can be sold. Land is not property. After an exhaustive meeting with the Kispokothas division of the tribe, I have come up with solutions for defeating the Americans that can not be denied.

Unity is the number one factor in defending Prophetstown. As many tribes our numbers are few compared to the Long Knives, but joined as one body we would be unbeatable. Many tribes want to side with either the British troops or the American Solders based on who might win. That will not be an option any longer. We must join as one force to battle any opposing white man. When we unite, our numbers would be insurmountable in attack. Temporarily we need to ignore any differences we may have among our tribes. I ask the Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa warriors who may have differences with the Shawnees and Delawares to look beyond any infractions and come together to stabilize our force. If we harmonize as one team, our options will become greater in all aspects, from keeping ourselves fed to holding the Long Knives away.

We must now organize our plan of attack. The first thing that must be done is to rely only on our own resources. We can’t forge a battle if we are waiting on supplies from either the American or British Troops. This is a time to gain our independence back. Yes, the settlers are encroaching on our hunting territory, but this is not a valid excuse. We must get out earlier and stay longer. We have been here all our lives and the “Master of Life” has fed and nurtured us in the past. We can become abundant in our supplies of muskrats, otters, bears, and more. We must once again hunt with bows and arrows. We should not depend on weaponry of guns. We do not need the metal pots or silverware of the white man. What we hunt and gather should not be traded with the white man. If we rely on any supplies from the Long Knives, we don’t deserve to have our own land. Before the settlers arrived things were good and we needed for nothing. With some dedication we can attain that status again among our kinsmen.

United as one force, we need to have a leader that will speak for us as a whole. In the past land was ceded without the knowledge of some tribes because a few tribes spoke for many. I’m sure the white men knew which tribes would be likely to agree to a treaty and brought it before their eyes. When we unite as once band of men, there shall be a set group of leaders. There should be one person chosen from each tribe. That way each tribe will have a voice through this person. Those tribe leaders will join together and come up with a solution that will meet the desires of the entire group. No one can dispute the results because the leader that was chosen from their tribe joined with the other leaders and joined in this decision. Then once an agreeable decision has been made on any treaty, the main leader alone will speak for our union. Many may go with the Tribe Leader for support, but their voices will be muted and will just go as a sign of force.

After the battle with Harrison, you saw how his fort was impenetrable due to his earth walls. We can also have that security. Here at Prophetstown this should be a haven for our women and children and if any battles need to be waged, they can be done outside of this area. No one really knows what the white man has planned. We shall not change our buildings or build a wall around our area. We are not going to hide,