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Arthur Butch Elliott
The potawatomi
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Entire published work, including graphics, art and layout© Ningwakwe Learning Press 2009. All Rights reserved. No part of this work may be
reproduced or used in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Written by Arthur ‘Butch’ Elliott
“The Elliott family worked with a carefully selected writer, Germaine Trudeau Elliott, to organize and complete Butch Elliott’s work inspired by his
storytelling genius.”
Edit, Layout and Design by Ningwakwe Learning Press.
Historic photos courtesy Cowan’s Auction, Inc. www.cowanauctions.com.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Elliott, Arthur, 1950-2008
The Potawatomi: our history, our story, our future / Arthur
“Butch” Elliott.
ISBN 978-1-896832-99-9
1. Potawatomi Indians—History. I. Title.
E99.P8E45 2009 970.004*97316 C2009-906679-3
Funding provided by Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the National Literacy Secretariat.
Ningwakwe Learning Press
www.ningwakwe.on.ca
1-888-551-9757
Printed in Canada 2009
PREFACE
‘The Potawatomi” is a summary of the stories that Butch through out three major countries (Canada, United States and
told about his people, the Potawatomi. To keep history Mexico) as a result of their great desire to remain Potawatomi.
interesting and alive for future generations, it is told in
The purpose of this book is to create an understanding and
a story format and includes all of the important points,
awareness of the Potawatomi as a distinct people with an important
beginning with “who we are” and “where we came from.”
history. It will also illustrate the link between the Potawatomi in
The story that follows touches on most of the maj or historical Canada, U.S. and Mexico and why that is still important today.
events, such as the “Wars of the Old Northwest.” The
Potawatomi were engaged in the struggle and settlement
of North America. This struggle took place within our
territory. It is also important to note that the Potawatomi,
as a people, are the only tribe to have been displaced
TABLE OF Contents
About THE Author-1
Introduction-3
1. The Land and the people-7
2. History-11
3. Carrying the Fire-27
4. Rebuilding A NATION-31
CONCLUSION 33
BOUT THE AUTHOR
‘^utcR’ <Effiott ^ y^Ecfayoniquot
March 5, 1950 - August 8, 2008
Butch was born at Cape Croker (Neyaashiniigimiing) on Great Lakes region in the early
March 5, 1950. His mother, Winona Arriaga, moved the 1970’s. Butch worked closely with
family to Detroit in the early 1960’s where he lived until he the Steering Committee of the
met his wife Germaine, in 1973. He was laid to rest at Cape Indian Ecumenical Conference
Croker on August 12, 2008. after having attended the first
Butch was a well known activist and defender of First Nation meeting in 1971 in Alberta.
rights in both Canada and the U.S. He was a member of He often described the Indian
the American Indian Movement and was in the 71 day Ecumenical Conference as the
battle at Wounded Knee in South Dakota in 1973. For this, life-changing event of his life; one
he was recognized as a veteran by the Native American that helped him follow a genuine
Vietnam Era Veterans Association. He supported the spiritual path. He helped bring
Bay Mills Indian Community in their assertion of fishing the sweat lodge back to the Great Lakes region and he
rights during the Fish Wars of 1973 and 1974. He was also carried a pipe.
involved in the occupation of Anicinabe Park in Kenora Butch was a catalyst for nation-building efforts throughout
in 1974 and the historic Native Peoples Caravan, National the Great Lakes region. He served his community as an
March on Parliament Hill. He was part of the Longest Walk elected member of Band Council for the Chippewas of
of 1977 (California to Washington D.C.). Nawash from 1983 to 1988, serving as Co-Chief from 1986
His activism was a result of his belief in the tradition, to 1987. After returning to the Sault Ste. Marie area, he
culture and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples of Turtle coordinated and helped chair the first Grand Assembly of
Island. He was one of a handful of traditional singers, taught Michigan Tribes in 1989 and again in 1990.
by Teofilo Lucero, who brought the big drum back to the
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He organized and chaired the National Assemblies of the throughout the Great Lakes Region. He never passed the
Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians in 1992, 1994 and 1997. opportunity to share his songs and stories and for this he
was much loved and well respected. He had a tremendous
He believed that as Anishinabe people we have rights and
sense of humour and he liked to laugh. Kind and generous,
responsibilities to our land, our nation, and our families.
he also loved history, research, and especially stories
He believed that First Nations were entitled to resources,
about Potawatomi. He was dedicated to the notion that the
promised through treaties, which would fuel our own self-
Potawatomi in Canada needed to reclaim homeland in the
sufficiency. In that regard he was involved in economic
U.S.
development throughout the Great Lakes with both Tribes
in the U.S. and First Nations in Canada. He led and chaired He returned to his home community of the Chippewas of
numerous initiatives on economic development, including Nawash at Neyaashiinigimiing in 2002. He was elected as
an international summit held in Detroit in 1994. He was Head Councillor in 2007. He initiated significant progress
part of the development team who crafted a bid on behalf in addressing housing needs. He was concerned with
of the Sault Tribe for the management of CasinoRama in policing and justice issues in the community and worked
1995. He travelled to Austria in 1995 and again in 1997 with very hard to make improvements. He loved his community
representatives from Membertou First Nation to promote and was happy in his last year, serving the Chippewas of
international partnerships with CasinoAustria. In 1998 Nawash at Neyaashiiniigimiing.
he helped lead a Sault Tribe trade delegation to Mexico
Butch is survived by his wife, their four children, seven
where he met the presidential family. He also travelled
grandchildren, a sister and two brothers. He is an uncle
to Vera Cruz where he presented an eagle feather to the
to many - and a mentor, teacher, role model and friend to
Totanocas Tribe.
thousands. He was a good father and husband and greatly
Butch had many friends along the pow-wow trail. He was an loved by his family.
accomplished M. C., and his voice was heard in communities
He will be greatly missed for a very long time, by very
many.
Baa Maa Pii our beloved.
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