Papakeecha facts for kids
Papakeecha (pronounced Pa-hed-ke-teh-a), whose name means "Flat Belly," was an important leader of the Miami people. He was a chief who guided his people from 1820 to 1837. His home was near Lake Wawasee in what is now Kosciusko County, Indiana, United States. A nearby lake, Lake Papakeechie, is named after him.
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Papakeecha: A Miami Leader
Papakeecha was around 60 years old when settlers from Europe and the United States began moving into his homeland. People described him as having a dark copper skin color and wearing a silver ring in his nose. Historical records say he weighed about 300 pounds. He also said he fought in the famous Battle of Tippecanoe.
His Family and Land
Papakeecha was the brother of another important Miami chief named Wawasee (pronounced Wau-wa-aus-see). Lake Wawasee was named after his brother.
In 1828, Papakeecha was given a special area of land called a reservation. This land was about 36 square miles (93 km2) in size. It stretched almost completely across Lake Wawasee from north to south.
His Village and Home
Papakeecha's village was located near what is now Indian Village in Noble County. About 75 people lived there. In 1827, the United States government built him a brick house in his village. It was a single-story home and cost $562 to build. Later, a strong storm, like a tornado, destroyed the house.
A historical marker put up in 1967 by the Noble County Historical Society tells about this event. Another marker from 1962, placed by the Indiana Historical Society, notes that you are leaving Papakeecha's reservation. It explains that he held this land from 1828 until 1834.
Land Treaties and His Passing
In 1834, Papakeecha's reservation land was part of a much larger land deal. This deal involved about 1,500,000-acre (6,100 km2) of land and helped the Wabash and Erie Canal project. The land was returned to the U.S. government in the Treaty at the Forks of the Wabash. Later, the Wabash & Erie Canal owned it.
Papakeecha passed away in 1837. He was buried with many of his villagers on the northeast side of Lake Papakeechie.
