Pokagon, Simon
1830 - 1899
Place of Birth: Indian village on St. Joseph River, near or on Indiana border, Berrien
County, MI
Biography:
Simon Pokagon was born to Elizabeth and Leopold (famous Potowatomi chief) Pokagon in Berrien County, MI. He was educated at Notre Dame University and Oberlin College, and throughout his life became known as the best educated full-blooded Indian in North America. He served as the chief of the Potowatomi tribe and spent much of his life convincing his fellow Indians to educate themselves and integrate into other cultures, as well as campaigning for Indian rights and trying to get payment for the land his father sold to the US government. Pokagon met with President Lincoln twice and smoked a pipe-of-peace with President Grant, both with the purpose of receiving payment for his tribe. When he attended the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, Pokagon was outraged to discover that no American Indian had been asked to serve in any official position at the World’s Fair when dignitaries came from all over the world to attend. He wrote a defense entitled The Red Man’s Greeting, that was originally published on birch park and sold by Indians at the exposition before being picked up by the Chicago Press, reviewed by the National Press, and quoted in journals in England in Europe. This defense brought world fame to Pokagon, and paved the way for more of his work, including defense and persuasive pieces. The Chicago mayor asked Pokagon to be the keynote speaker for Chicago Day at the Exposition, where thousands arrived to hear Pokagon speak. He wrote ten articles for The Forum, Harper’s, The Chautauguan, Review of Reviews, and The Arena on topics including the future of the Indian, problems of race, Indian legends, and the Fort Dearborn Massacre. In addition to his articles, Pokagon wrote one book, Queen of the Woods that reflected on his early courtship with his wife, Londinaw, using nature to express ideas and abstract thought. Pokagon died in 1899.
Selected Works:
- The Red Man’s Greeting (1893)
- The chi-kog-ong of the red man (1897)
- Algonquin Legends of South Haven (1900)
Critical Review:
“He was a man of great moral strength. His appetites and passions were always under control of an awakened conscience. There was also something of the woman’s tenderness and sweetness in a nature that could be stern when wrongs were to be denounced. He was a poet, orator and philosopher. In his creations there not infrequently flashed forth much of the fire and impassioned the great chieftains of the Algonquins, and which not infrequently suggest the old prophets of Israel when they fearlessly denounced wrong and justice. With his death there passed from view one of the noblest children of the red race – a man whose life, thought and deeds proved how closely akin are the noble natures of all races, ages, and times.”
- Literary Digest
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Pokagon’s book, Queen of the Woods, included much imagery on nature, as well as his love for the forest woodlands of Michigan. As chief of his people, Pokagon tirelessly campaigned for their rights, especially in receiving payment for their land.