Third Treaty of Prairie du Chien facts for kids
The Treaty of Prairie du Chien refers to several important agreements made in the town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. These treaties were signed between the United States government and various Native American peoples. They were mainly about land and how it would be shared or transferred.
Contents
What Was the Treaty of Prairie du Chien?
The Treaty of Prairie du Chien is actually the name for a group of treaties. These agreements were signed in the early 1800s. They helped define the borders of lands belonging to different Native American tribes and the United States. The treaties were a way for the U.S. government to gain control over more land, which often led to Native American tribes giving up their traditional territories.
Who Was Involved in the Treaties?
Many different groups were part of these treaties. On one side was the United States government. They were represented by officials like General John McNeil, Colonel Pierre Menard, and Caleb Atwater.
On the other side were representatives from several Native American nations, including:
- The Sioux
- The Sac and Fox
- The Menominee
- The Ioway
- The Winnebago
- The Anishinaabeg, which includes the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes.
When and Where Were They Signed?
The treaties were signed in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. This town was an important meeting place at the time. Two key treaties were negotiated at the same time during the summer of 1829. Both of these agreements were officially announced on January 2, 1830.

What Land Was Exchanged?
One of the most important treaties signed in Prairie du Chien was on August 1, 1829. This agreement was specifically between the United States and the Winnebago tribe. In this treaty, the Winnebago tribe agreed to give up a large amount of their land. This land was located in what is now northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. These land transfers were a major part of the expansion of the United States.