Writing by an Ottawa war chief named Pontiac (1763)
“Before those whom you call your brothers come on your lands, did you not live by bow and arrow? You had no need of gun nor powder, nor the rest of their things, and nevertheless you caught animals to live and clothe yourselves with their skins, but when I saw that you inclined to the evil, I called back the animals into the depths of the woods, so that you had need of your brothers to have your wants supplied and I shall send back to you the animals to live on. I do not forbid you, for all that, to suffer amongst you the children of your father. I love them, they know me and pray to me, and I give them their necessities and all that they bring to you, but as regards those who have come to trouble your country, drive them out, make war on them. I love them not, they know me not, they are my enemies and the enemies of your brothers. Send them back to the country which I made for them. There let them remain.”
This writing is attributed to Pontiac, a renowned war chief of the Ottawa tribe, who lived in the Ottawa River Valley during the 18th century. In this particular piece, Pontiac addresses his people, expressing his thoughts on the arrival of Europeans and their impact on their way of life.
Pontiac begins by acknowledging that his people lived harmoniously with nature, relying on traditional methods such as bows and arrows for hunting. They were self-sufficient, able to catch animals for food and use their skins for clothing without the need for guns or other foreign tools brought by the Europeans. However, he observes a shift in their way of life, as they start relying on their new "brothers" for their needs.
Despite this shift, Pontiac is not entirely pleased with the changes he sees. He believes that his people have fallen into an evil influence brought by the Europeans, causing a disruption in the natural balance. In response, he decides to withdraw the animals deeper into the woods, leaving his people reliant on their new allies for sustenance.
However, Pontiac does not ask his people to completely forsake their newfound allies. He acknowledges that there are individuals among the European settlers who have embraced the ways of the Native people, recognizing him and praying to him. These individuals, whom he refers to as the "children of your father," are permitted to stay and maintain a relationship with the Indigenous community.
But for those who have come to disrupt and harm their land and people, Pontiac declares them as enemies. He urges his people to drive them out and declare war against them. He emphasizes his lack of affection for these outsiders, their lack of familiarity with him, and their status as enemies of both himself and the Indigenous people.
In conclusion, Pontiac calls for the Europeans who have troubled their land to be sent back to the country that was made for them. Pontiac asserts that their presence is unwelcome and poses a threat to their way of life. This writing serves as a powerful expression of resistance and a call for unity among the Indigenous peoples against the encroachment of Europeans onto their lands.
This excerpt is a speech or writing attributed to Pontiac, a war chief of the Ottawa tribe, in 1763. In the writing, Pontiac addresses the Native American tribes who had previously lived without the use of guns, powder, or other European goods, relying instead on traditional hunting methods with bow and arrow. Pontiac points out that despite their previous self-sufficiency, the Native Americans had become dependent on the Europeans for their needs.
Pontiac expresses his disapproval of this dependence and declares that he has called back the animals into the depths of the woods, implying that the animals will no longer be plentiful for hunting. As a result, the Native Americans would need the Europeans to fulfill their necessities of food and clothing. However, Pontiac states that he will send the animals back to the Native Americans to live on, indicating his intention to regain their independence and self-sufficiency.
Pontiac distinguishes between the Europeans who have come to trade and live peacefully, referring to them as "the children of your father." He states that he loves them, as they know him and pray to him, and he provides for their needs. He does not forbid the Native Americans from assisting these peaceful Europeans.
However, Pontiac strongly opposes the Europeans who have come to trouble and disrupt the Native Americans' lands, calling them enemies. He encourages the Native Americans to drive them out and make war against them. He emphasizes that these troublemakers are not his allies and are enemies to both the Native Americans and the peaceful Europeans.
Finally, he advises the troublesome Europeans to return to the country that he believes was made for them, suggesting that they leave the Native Americans' lands and find their own place to settle.
Overall, Pontiac's message in this writing is one of resisting European influence and advocating for the restoration of the Native Americans' self-sufficiency, as well as the expulsion of those who seek to harm their community.