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Indiana Bicentennial Celebration 2016
Potawatomi Chief Kee-wau-nay/Kiwani Historical Marker
Northern Indiana was Potawatomi Territory when Indiana became a state in 1816. Many treaties were signed, and some were called “Whiskey Treaties” because whiskey was given to the Indians to get them to sign and sell their lands. These forced removals included all the tribes, although the Potawatomi signed more than any other. An historical marker for Potawatomi Chief Kee-wau-nay, or Kiwani, will be erected by Girl Scout Troop #47609 of Northern Indiana and Michiana and Pulaski County. It is the Gold Award project of Rachel Ploss, Star City. It will consist of a huge boulder with a metal plaque telling the history of Chief Kee-wau-nay as described by frontier artist George Winter in the 1830s. The marker is placed in the Pleasant Hill UM Church cemetery at Lake Bruce, formerly known as Lake Kee-wau-nay. The dedication will be September 17 at 7 p.m., which is Saturday evening of the 41st Trail of Courage Living History Festival at the Fulton County Historical Society. The dedication will be followed by a carry-in supper at the church, and the public is invited to bring food to share with the Potawatomi who will be visiting from several states.
Q&A with Legacy Project Coordinator Shirley Willard
What do you consider the key accomplishment of your Legacy Project?
- Commemorating a Potawatomi chief for whom the town of Kewanna was named.
Describe a highlight or most memorable moment related to your Legacy Project.
- The dedication was attended by Bob Pearl, a Potawatomi who had ancestors on the 1838 Trail of Death from Indiana to Kansas. Bob blessed the marker with tobacco.
How/where are you preserving information and artifacts related to your Legacy Project?
- At Fulton County Historical Society museum, 37 E 375 N, Rochester IN 46975
Total number of volunteers who participated.
- About 20
Estimated total attendance.
- More than 100
Estimated dollar amount raised.
- $1,000
Estimated dollar amount spent.
- $1,000
Project Details
- Organization: Potawatomi Trail of Death Assn.
- County: Fulton
- Contact: Shirley Willard, 574-223-2352, wwillard@rtcol.com
- Type: Non-Profit
- Project Number: IBC-HC-389
- Website: www.potawatomi-tda.org
