Treaty of Lake Poygan facts for kids
The Treaty of Lake Poygan was an agreement made in 1848. It was between the United States government and the Menominee Native American tribe. The treaty was about selling a huge amount of Menominee land in Wisconsin.
What Was the Treaty of Lake Poygan?
This treaty was signed on October 18, 1848. It took place near Lake Poygan, which is close to Winneconne, Wisconsin. The agreement said the Menominee tribe would sell about 4,500,000 acres (18,210 square kilometers) of their land. This land was located in Wisconsin.
In return, the United States government offered $350,000 to the Menominee. They also offered another 600,000 acres (2,428 square kilometers) of land. This new land was in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, west of the Mississippi River. The treaty asked the Menominee people to move to this new area in Minnesota.
Why Did the Treaty Not Happen?
Most parts of the Treaty of Lake Poygan were never carried out. Many of the 2,500 Menominee people did not want to move to Minnesota. They wanted to stay on their traditional lands in Wisconsin.
In 1852, a very important leader named Chief Oshkosh spoke up for his people. He was the chief of the Menominee tribe. Chief Oshkosh talked with the President of the United States at that time, Millard Fillmore. Chief Oshkosh successfully convinced President Fillmore to let the Menominee tribe stay. They were allowed to remain on their lands along the Wolf River in Wisconsin.
The Menominee Today
Today, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is officially recognized by the United States government. This means they have a special relationship with the government. They continue to live on their lands in Wisconsin, which are part of their ancestral home.
