TWINSBURG INSTITUTE ALUMNI - Chief Simon Pokagon, the last chief of the Pokagon tribe of the Potawatomi Indians of Michigan. In the early 1820’s His father Chief Leopold Pokagon ceded to the U.S. government 1,000,000 or more acres of land at 3 cents an acre including the present site of Chicago. Upon the death of his father Simon Pokagon started his education by attending Notre Dame, Oberlin College, and 2 years at the Twinsburg Institute. After his education he returned to his tribe and eventually became Chief. Chief Simon Pokagon was an educated and articulate man. During his lifetime he became known as the best-educated full-blooded Indian in North America. He visited President Lincoln in the White House twice, smoked a pipe-of-peace with President Grant, and wrote 6 books. His last book “Queen of the Woods” was published after his death and is considered the first American Indian novel devoted to Indian life Chief Pokagon spent the latter part of his life in efforts to obtain from the government the price agreed upon from the land sale. Finally securing nearly $200,000 3 years before he died. Indiana named a 1200 acre state park in northern Indiana after him (Pokagon State Park). Today the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians owns “The Four Winds” Casinos in Michigan.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:44:04 +0000
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