Forest County Potawatomi History

The Potawatomi Nation was once a very large tribe. They are a Woodland Indian tribe (a name given to them by the Europeans). They are Algonquin (again, a European term based upon the linguistics of the language spoken). And they are Neshnabek, a Potawatomi word that refers to "original people".

As Neshnabek the Potawatomi formed a confederacy with the Ojibwa (Chippewa) and Odawa (Ottawa) Indian tribes. Oral history says that at one time they were one nation that divided into the three nations.

It was here in the place that is now known today as Sault Ste. Marie (this again was a European name of the place) that the people divided into the three tribes as they are called today. The Chippewa (Ojibwa) were to become the oldest brother and the Keepers of the Faith. The Ottawa (Odawa), the middle brother, was to become the Keepers of the Trade. And the Potawatomi (Bodewadmi), the youngest brother, was to become Keeper of the Fire. That is Keeper of the Sacred Fire that was carried by them as they traveled. It was also at this time that the brothers divided into different lands.

The Potawatomi then went to land located to the south of Sault Ste. Marie and at the time of first contact by the Europeans were living in what is today lower Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

They lived on millions of areas of land. This land was ceded by the signing of treaties. The Potawatomi signed more treaties with the United States Government than any other tribe. They signed a total of 42 treaties and with each treaty more land was taken away (ceded).

The first of the treaties was signed in 1795 in Ohio, and the first of the lands were taken.

In 1830 President Jackson passed the Removal Act, which was to force all the Indians living east of the Mississippi River to the Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Many of the Potawatomi people were very unhappy about having to leave their homelands - the lands of their ancestors and the land where they were buried.

When the United States soldiers came to round them up, many of them escaped into the woods. Those that were rounded up were forced to walk to the lands west of the Mississippi River.

Many of the Potawatomi people died during this walk. It came to be called the “Trail of Death” because of the numbers that died. These people eventually ended up in Kansas and Oklahoma.

But those that refused to go and ran off into the woods ended up in Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada. They lived back in the woods, hiding from removal. Many of this group of people became what is today the Forest County Potawatomi.

There are other Potawatomi in various locations about the country as well. They are known as the bands of Potawatomi. At this time there are eight bands of Potawatomi. The bands live in Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Canada.

The Forest County Potawatomi have lived in Forest County, Wisconsin since the late 1800s. Around 1880 a group settled in an area near Blackwell and Wabeno. We have lived in that area since and also presently reside in Carter and Crandon (Stone Lake area).

They were a very poor people. Starving in many cases. Suffering from diseases brought by the Europeans. They were dying and had no land to call home.

A Lutheran missionary by the name of Erik Morstad was serving the Indians in Wittenburg, Wisconsin. There were Potawatomies also living in Wittenburg at that time.

Reverend Morstad became aware of the Potawatomi in Blackwell and Wabeno and was determined to help them.

Later, along with his assistance, these Potawatomi were able to obtain some of the money that had been promised to them by the treaties, and they purchased land. This land became the reservation of the Forest County Potawatomi.

The lands the Potawatomi purchased were “checkerboard.” Some plots were miles away from each other. This was intentional by the US Government in another attempt to assimilate the Indians as white. The Forest County Potawatomi now have three communities: Blackwell, Carter, and Stone Lake. Stone Lake is located nearly 20 miles from Carter and Blackwell.

This land was cut over timberland. It was very rocky and not very suitable for anything but we had a home. The Potawatomi were very, very poor. At that time they had no wells, no equipment, no money. Their homes were often log and sometimes bark shacks located way out in the woods and miles from each other. Their water source was usually a lake, river, or stream located nearby. They continued to be hunters and gatherers. While the Potawatomi were given horses and cows, bought with the treaty money and expected to farm, the land was too poor to farm. They had very little equipment or knowledge of how to farm. The Potawatomi did have their small gardens as they always had in the past, but they were very poor. And until the 1970s it was not considered legal to hunt on the land for food. There was often starvation.

In 1934 the Collier Act was passed. This is often referred to as the Indian Reorganization Act or Wheeler-Howard Act. Tribes were told to put aside their former means of tribal governance and accept a self-governance promoted by the United States Government.

In 1934 this new form of tribal government was accepted, and it was formally adopted in 1936 by the Forest County Potawatomi. By accepting this new form of tribal government the tribes would also receive some economic assistance.

In spite of the new government, the Potawatomi continued to remain poor. They had a council but did not have the money for operation. Often times when a council meeting was held, a collection was taken up just to pay for the gas for the council to attend the meeting. There was no payment or salaries. There were no tribal jobs. Most things were done on a volunteer basis. Things were done for and by the community, as they had always been done in the traditional way.

Health care was basically nothing. A government nurse came around once in a while, but she had little or no supplies. A dentist would see the children in school about once every three or four years. By then the teeth were too decayed and would be extracted.

If hospitalization was required, the tribal member had to travel to Hayward a distance of nearly 200 miles for care. Babies were even born in Hayward. This required mothers to go there before their delivery date and then to sit and wait.

There was a lot of illness due to the fact that they had no immunity to the diseases they were now exposed to such as tuberculosis, measles, chicken pox, small pox, diphtheria, etc.

Many people believe that the federal government provides huge sums of money to tribes on a regular basis. While it is true the government does provide some assistance (this is a treaty requirement), it never was adequate to provide the programs, education and housing needed.

The Forest County Potawatomi has maintained its traditional ways. They continue to practice the traditional religions, even though these religions were forbidden by law until the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed in 1978. They continue to honor their elders and their children. The Potawatomi believe in the importance of the Circle of Life. This Circle is a part of their daily lives and is included in their ceremonies.

Today, life on the reservation is very different than it was for the elders and those who have already passed on into the Spirit World. They have done much for the younger generation and that is why they are always honored and respected. They have done much for the younger generation, and it is because of them the younger generations are who they are today.

In recent years there has been a new development in the lives of the Forest County Potawatomi. Indian gaming has allowed for economic development in a way never imagine. The government is no longer destitute. The people have good jobs. They work in the tribal offices, tribal businesses and casinos. Not only do they provide employment for tribal people, but they also provide employment for non-tribal people as well. At this time the Forest County Potawatomi Community is the largest employer in Forest County.

The Forest County Potawatomi has a tribal housing program that provides quality housing and home ownership both on and off the reservation.

They have two day care facilities and a preschool program in place.

They have an elder program that provides for the elders including free meals. There is a facility where elders can live, as well as with any other person who is disabled. There is an assisted living facility for those who need assistance.

They have a recreation center for youth, and it also has a fitness center that any tribal member or employee can use.

They have a Health and Wellness clinic which provides medical care for the community and employees. The clinic includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, dentists, dental assistants, pharmacists, social workers, and counselors. In 2000, a new and larger health center, which provides services for the general public, was dedicated and put into operation. Prior to this clinic people sometimes had to travel 30-40 miles for health care.

They have a museum and cultural center with a gift shop and library. The permanent exhibit for the museum was opened in November 2002. The facility is used for gatherings of all sorts including language classes, traditional craft classes, funerals and even weddings.

There is also a 99-room lodge attached to the Carter Casino with a restaurant and swimming pool. Many of the rooms are suites and have whirlpool tubs.

Also located near the casino is a 24-hour convenience store.

One of the first projects to diversify the tribe’s assets was the development of the Potawatomi Red Deer Ranch. Red Deer venison has become a sought-after meat in the area and is supplied to the Milwaukee Casino for use in its restaurants.

The Potawatomi are the largest employer in Forest County with over 600 people employed. That has taken Forest County from being the second highest unemployment rate in the state to nearly a full employment.

They provide medical, dental and vision coverage for every tribal member, thereby taking the responsibility which was not fulfilled by the federal government through the treaties.

The Potawatomi has done much with its gaming revenues. They remember the difficult times of the past and look to continued economic development for the future. They also use these revenues to share with others through the FCP Community Foundation.

Once a large nation diminished to very few, they continue to grow in population as well. At one time the enrollment of the Forest County Potawatomi was only a couple hundred members. There are now well over 1,200 members enrolled.

To be enrolled, a tribal member must have 1/4 blood quantum. This requirement is determined by the constitution of the Forest County Potawatomi.