Pontiac

Pontiac, chief of the OTTAWA (b 1720?; d at Cahokia [Ill] 20 Apr 1769). He may have served with the French and Indian forces that defeated Maj-Gen Edward Braddock at FORT DUQUESNE (1755). He later was able to organize Indians discontented with the English regime, arranging a series of secret meetings among the SENECA and other groups. In spring 1763 he ignited hostilities, leading an alliance of OTTAWA, HURON, Potawatomis and OJIBWA against Fort Detroit and killing or taking captive a contingent of 46 English soldiers at Point Pelée. Detroit was held under siege, and the uprising spread throughout the PAYS D'EN HAUT, as Michilimackinac, Fort Sandoské, Fort St-Joseph, Fort Miami and others fell to the widening alliance.

On July 29 at Bloody Run, Pontiac's forces routed an encampment of 260 reinforcements heading for Detroit. Pontiac's direct control was limited to the warriors around Detroit, but even that group disintegrated as the Potawatomis and Huron left, and even the Ottawa deserted to winter hunting grounds. A series of peace treaties was signed in July 1765, with the prestigious Pontiac a key signatory. He insisted that the Indians were not surrendering their land by making peace. Those still hostile to the English turned against him, expelling him from his own village. He led a wandering life until murdered by a Peoria assassin.

Author JAMES MARSH

Suggested Reading
Jane Fleischer, Pontiac, Chief of the Ottawas (1979); Howard H. Peckhorn, Pontiac and the Indian Uprising (1970).

Links to Other Sites
Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge
The website for the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge, which features Canada's largest essay writing competition for Aboriginal youth (ages 14-29) and a companion program for those who prefer to work through painting, drawing and photography. See their guidelines, teacher resources, profiles of winners, and more. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.

CHIEFS
The website for the Galafilm documentary series "CHIEFS," which is devoted to the life stories of First Nations leaders, including Sitting Bull, Pontiac, Joseph Brant, Black Hawk, and Poundmaker.

Fort Pitt Museum
See a timeline of major conflicts involving British, French, American, and Native American forces on the site of the former Fort Duquesne (in western Pennsylvania). From the website for the Senator John Heinz History Center in the US.

A Brief History of Michigan
See a brief history of the State of Michigan. From the Michigan Legislature website.

Pontiac’s Rebellion
A CBC feature about Ottawa native leader Chief Pontiac and his struggle against British colonization of aboriginal lands.

Four Directions Teachings
Elders and traditional teachers representing the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Mi’kmaq share teachings about their history and culture. Animated graphics visualize each of the oral teachings. This website also provides biographies of participants, transcripts, and an extensive array of learning resources for students and their teachers. In English with French subtitles.

NFB: Chiefs
This series is the saga of five great First Nations chiefs -- Sitting Bull, Pontiac, Joseph Brant, Black Hawk and Poundmaker. Their stories form a central drama of the history of the North American continent. Features still photos and video clips. A National Film Board website.