Godfroy Reserve facts for kids
The Godfroy Reserve was a special area of land given to Chief Francois Godfroy. He was a leader of the Miami Nation, a Native American tribe. The United States government gave him this land through a special agreement called a treaty. This reserve was located along the Salamonie River in Blackford County, Indiana.
The Miami Tribe was later asked to move west. Many went to areas that are now Kansas and Oklahoma. However, some tribal leaders were allowed to keep land in Indiana. These leaders, including Chief Godfroy, had both French Canadian and Native American family backgrounds. They were allowed to stay because they had worked well with the U.S. government. They also agreed to learn new ways of life suggested by the government.
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What Was the Godfroy Reserve?
The Godfroy Reserve was a specific piece of land. It was set aside for Chief Francois Godfroy. He was a respected leader of the Miami Nation. This land was given to him by the United States government. It was part of a treaty, which is a formal agreement. The treaty was signed in St. Mary's, Ohio, on October 6, 1818. The reserve included about 3,840 acres. It was located on the Salamonie River in Harrison Township, Blackford County.
Why Was the Reserve Created?
The U.S. government often made treaties with Native American tribes. These treaties sometimes involved giving land to tribal leaders. This was often done to encourage cooperation. Chief Godfroy and other leaders had mixed heritage. This meant they had both Native American and European ancestors. They were seen as a bridge between cultures. This helped them keep their land in Indiana.
Life on the Reserve
People lived on this reserve from about 1814 to 1834. It was a place for families with mixed Native American and European backgrounds. However, white settlers often moved onto the land. They did not respect the boundaries of the reserve. This made it difficult for Chief Godfroy and his people. Because of these problems, Chief Godfroy decided to leave the reserve. This happened after a new treaty in 1834. This treaty was between Indiana and the Miami people who remained.
Later Efforts for the Reserve
The reserve lands were later sold in 1827 and 1836. In the 1960s, people tried to turn the area into a state park. These efforts were not successful. More attempts were made in the 2000s. However, these plans also failed. The reason was that two special plants lived there. These plants were the frog orchid and the small purple-fringed orchid. Both are on the Endangered Species List. This means they are very rare and need protection. The site also once held many old Native American objects.
