Big Foot (Potawatomi leader) facts for kids

Big Foot (whose name in the Potawatomi language was Maungeezik, meaning “Big Foot”) was an important leader of the Prairie Band of Potawatomi. His people lived near Kishwauketoe, which is known today as Geneva Lake in the U.S. State of Wisconsin.

Big Foot and the War of 1812

Big Foot likely led his group in a conflict called the Battle of Fort Dearborn. This battle happened in Chicago and was part of the War of 1812. During this event, a group of Potawatomi warriors fought against American soldiers. After the battle, Fort Dearborn was destroyed.

Following the War of 1812, the United States kept a close eye on Big Foot. They sent people like the Odawa leader Shabbona and the British-Potawatomi fur trader Billy Caldwell to Geneva Lake. These actions made it harder for Big Foot to plan any more conflicts against the United States. He spent many years preparing for future battles, but they never happened.

Protecting Potawatomi Land

As more American settlers moved into the area, especially after new lead mines opened near the Galena River, the Potawatomi's land was shrinking. In 1828, Big Foot traveled to Green Bay. He went with other important leaders from the Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe, Odawa, and other Potawatomi groups.

They met with the United States to discuss a treaty. A treaty is an agreement between groups or nations. This treaty created a temporary border between their lands and the United States. This border ran through what is now Wisconsin and Illinois.

After the Black Hawk War

In 1832, the Black Hawk War took place. Big Foot did not take part in this war. After the Potawatomi were defeated in that conflict, Big Foot helped negotiate and sign another important agreement. This was the 1833 Treaty of Chicago.

Through this treaty, a large area of southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois became part of the United States. As a result of this treaty, Big Foot and his Potawatomi group were moved from Geneva Lake. They first went to the Platte River in Missouri and later to Lawrence, Kansas.

Places Named After Big Foot

Today, several places around Geneva Lake are named after Big Foot. These include:

• The community of Big Foot Prairie in Wisconsin and Illinois.
• Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
• Big Foot High School in Walworth, Wisconsin.
• Big Foot Country Club in Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Wisconsin.
• The Big Foot Inn in Harvard, IL.

The original name for Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, given by early settlers, was Big Foot Lake.