Author Susan Kelsey will share the story of Billy Caldwell, “Chief Sauganash,” and his journey after leaving the Chicago area after signing treaties to cede over 5,000,000 acres of land to a growing white settlement. His legacy tribe is the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and she will provide an update on their story. Caldwell, a Métis born in 1780, was an influential leader during the dawn of America and one whose story transcends history as a man fighting for his family, a way of life, and ultimately, a home for his tribe. Situated in a unique position in 1833, Caldwell was named chief for the three Chicago tribes--Ottawa, Ojibwa, and the Potawatomi--and negotiated one of the largest land trades in American history. This treaty represented over five-million acres, allowing white settlers to occupy the Midwest and Lake Michigan area. The result was removal of thousands of Native Americans to "Indian Territory" west of the Missouri River.

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