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• The Potawatomi are Native Americans that originated in the state of Michigan. Some have since relocated to areas in Kansas and Oklahoma. The Potawatomi are closely related to the Ojibwe and Ottawa tribes. They were originally known as the Neshnabek which means "The People." There are approximately only 28,000 Potawatomi remaining today.

• Fast Facts

  1. </small>
  2. Language: Potawatomi
  3. Place of origin: Upper Mississippi river region
  4. Current population in Canada and the U.S. is 28,000
  5. Potawatomi means "keepers of the fire"
  6. Originally hunters
  7. Signed more than 40 treaties with the U.S. from 1789-1867

• Tribal History

  Hundreds of years ago, the Potawatomi people controlled a vast area of land in the Great Lakes area where they hunted, fished, planted and gathered crops. They were closely related to the Ojibwe and Ottawa tribes with similar languages and customs. The three tribes eventually formed an alliance in which the Potawatomi were deemed the "Keepers of the Sacred Fire." In the 1800's, the majority of the Potawatomi were forced to move as a result of the Treaty of Chicago in 1833. Many perished and died on their journey to the west to find new lands. Their tumultuous journey later became known as "The Trail of Death." Most of the Potawatomi people came to settle in Oklahoma. They have since migrated to areas in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Colorado.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Indian Removal Act | American Indian Movement | Native American Gambling Enterprises | Ghost Dance Movement | Apache Tribe | Navajo Tribe | Hopi Tribe | Lakota Nation | Trail of Tears

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