Treaty of St. Joseph facts for kids
The Treaty of St. Joseph was an agreement made between the United States government and the Potawatomi Native American tribe. It was signed on September 19, 1827, in St. Joseph, Michigan. This treaty, like many others at the time, was part of the U.S. government's plan to move Native American tribes from their lands.
What the Treaty Was About
The treaty aimed to bring together different groups of the Potawatomi Tribe in the Michigan Territory. It listed several areas of land that the Potawatomi had kept for their use. These lands were then given to the United States.
The treaty stated that these lands were given up to keep the Potawatomi away from where white settlers lived. It also aimed to keep them away from the Territorial Road, which connected Detroit to Chicago.
The lands given up were in southeast Michigan, near the River Rouge and the River Raisin. They also included areas in southwest Michigan around the Kalamazoo River. In return, the Potawatomi received a new, larger reservation. This new land was located near the border of what are now Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties in Michigan.
The treaty officially became law on February 23, 1829.
Who Signed the Treaty
Lewis Cass, who was the governor of the Michigan Territory, signed the treaty for the United States.
Many leaders from the Potawatomi tribe also made their marks on the treaty. These included Mixs-a-bee, Shee-ko-maig, Pee-nai-sheish, Kne-o-suck-o-wah, Mais-ko-see, A-bee-ta-que-zic, Ko-jai-waince, Sa-kee-maus, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish, Ma-tsai-bat-to, Ne-kee-quin-nish-ka, Wa-kai-she-maus, Peerish Moran, Mee-she-pe-she-wa-non, O-tuck-quen, Que-quan, Wai-sai-gau, O-kee-yau, and Me-shai-wais.
