R. David Edmunds Boeken

The Potawatomi Indians were the dominant tribe in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and southern Michigan during the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. They actively participated in the fur trade and maintained strong ties with French traders and leaders, remaining loyal to New France throughout the colonial period. Unlike some neighboring tribes, they resisted the allure of British trade goods. During colonial wars, Potawatomi warriors fought alongside French allies against British forces in Pennsylvania and New York. As French influence waned, the Potawatomis reluctantly shifted their allegiance to the British, fighting against Americans in the Revolution, Tecumseh’s uprising, and the War of 1812. The influx of white settlers after these conflicts created significant challenges for the tribe. They resisted becoming farmers, instead adopting the lifestyle of their French trading partners. However, aggressive actions by some tribe members led to military responses from the U.S. government and settlers. Ultimately, under pressure, the Potawatomis ceded their lands to the United States for annuities, often through fraudulent treaties, and were forced to relocate west of the Mississippi, enduring great turmoil. This volume serves as the first scholarly history of the Potawatomis, highlighting their leaders and their impact on Indian-white relations in the Great Lakes region, and providing insights into U.S. policies toward o

This saga chronicles the Fox (or Mesquakie) Indians' fight to preserve their identity amid colonial New France during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Occupying central Wisconsin, the Foxes had long been engaged in conflicts with the Sioux and resisted the French's expansion of the firearm-and-fur trade. Seeking support from other tribes, they maintained their independence until the late 1720s when the French deceitfully offered peace before launching a campaign of annihilation against them. Despite their valiant resistance, the Foxes were ultimately overwhelmed and sought refuge among the Sac Indians, with whom they remain closely associated today. R. David Edmunds, a Professor of History at Indiana University and an award-winning author of Native American histories, collaborates with Joseph L. Peyser, a Professor of French at Indiana University South Bend, known for his work on documents related to New France. Their research sheds light on vital themes such as intertribal warfare, the fur trade's impact on Indigenous peoples, and the democratic nature of Indian societies that hindered strong tribal governance. By incorporating Fox oral traditions and new manuscript sources, they provide fresh insights into the history of the Foxes, making this work valuable for anyone interested in American Indian history.