Second Treaty of Prairie du Chien facts for kids
The Treaty of Prairie du Chien refers to several important agreements signed in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. These treaties were made between the United States government and different Native American nations. These nations included the Sioux, Sac and Fox, Menominee, Ioway, Winnebago, and the Anishinaabeg (which includes the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi peoples).
In the summer of 1829, two treaties were worked out at the same time in Prairie du Chien. They were both signed by General John McNeil Jr., Colonel Pierre Menard, and Caleb Atwater for the United States. Both treaties were officially announced on January 2, 1830.
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What Was the 1829 Treaty About?
The first of these agreements, known as the second Treaty of Prairie du Chien, was completed on July 29, 1829. This treaty was between the United States and representatives from the Council of Three Fires. This group was also called the "United Nations of Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi Indians."
Land Given to the United States
Through this treaty, the Native American tribes gave up a large area of land to the United States. This land is now in parts of northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. It also included areas where cities like Wilmette, Evanston, and about half of Chicago are located today.
What the Tribes Received
In return for the land, the U.S. government promised to pay the tribes 16 thousand dollars in "specie" (meaning actual coins) every year. They also promised to give them fifty barrels of salt each year.
Rights and Reservations
This treaty also set aside special areas, called reservation areas, in western Illinois for the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation. However, the U.S. later moved them even further west to Kansas. The treaty also allowed the Council of Three Fires to keep hunting in the land they had given up. They could do this "so long as the same shall remain the property of the United States." The U.S. also gained many acres of valuable timber.
