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Monument to noble leader still poignant today |
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Saturday, 19 September 2009 |
 Dr. George Godfrey of Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Athens, Ill. listens to other special guests while awaiting his turn to address the crowd. Scouts stand at the base of the Chief Menominee statue during the 100th anniversary celebration Friday.
By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — One hundred years ago, an infamous moment in history was documented by a monument to a proud leader. Friday, members of five nations gathered to celebrate that statue’s anniversary with a rededication of the Chief Menominee Monument, south of Plymouth.
Citizens of the five nations present — the four nations of the Potawatomi Tribe; the Pokagon Band, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, The Prairie Band Potawatomi and the Forest County Potawatomi, and the United States of America — gathered to share historical facts and reflections on the Trail of Death. The national tragedy occurred when Menom-inee and his tribe were forcibly evicted from their land in Indiana.
A large crowd that ranged from children from the Plymouth elementary school that bears the name of the American Indian leader, to ancestors of those who actually made the arduous journey, gathered to mark the occasion.
“I live about a quarter-mile from here,” said Jerry Pinder. “I’ve been down here for about 30 years or so, so I’ve learned quite a bit about Chief Menominee. I walk by here quite often and I just came down to hear what everybody had to say.”
“My children are interested in Chief Menominee,” said Karen Fritter, who had son, Trenton, and daughter, Trista, with her. “We decided to come out and learn more about him.”
“We’re part of a Native American club that we’re starting at our school,” said Culver Academy Senior John Sdao. “We wanted to come out and experience some Native American culture.”
The Trail of Death march began Sept. 4, 1838. Chief Menominee and two other chiefs, Notawkah and Pee-pinohwaw, were placed in a horse-drawn jail wagon and transported across Ind-iana, while their people walked or rode horseback behind them.
“Up to that time the Potawatomie children and the children of the settlers played together, they knew each other well and many were close friends,” said Dr. George Godfrey of the Citizen Potawatomie Na-tion. “The problems that led to the Trail of Death were because of misunderstandings. If anyone remembers anything of this moment in history we hope that people will respect each other and try to understand each other.”
Through the years, many residents of Indiana expres-sed their disapproval and sorrow about the forced removal known as the Trail of Death. One of those remembered in speeches at the statue — Daniel McDonald of Plymouth — wrote a book, “Removal of the Potawatomi Indians from Northern Indiana,” published in 1899. He was owner and editor of the newspaper, The Plymouth Democrat. He was elected to the Indiana state legislature and introduced a bill to erect a memorial to the Pota-watomi. This was passed and in 1909, the statue of Chief Menominee was erected and dedicated.
“We’ve come together today to teach the lesson of this tragedy to our children,” said Mark Gidley, the master of ceremonies and one of the organizers of Friday’s rededication event. “Our hope is that this tragedy will never be repeated against any other people.”
For more on Chief Men-ominee and the Trail of Death you can visit the Web site www.potawatomi-tda. org.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 21 September 2009 )
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