Introduction
Who is black hawk? He was a leader and warrior of the Sauk American Indian tribe who are the indigenous occupants of what is now the United States. Although he had inherited an important medicine bundle, he was not an original of the Sauk civil chiefs. He acquired his status as a result of leading war groups at a tender age and also from his leadership from in the Black Hawk War in 1832. During war in 1812 he fought on the British side but later defected and led some Sauk and Fox warriors against European-American settlers in Illinois.
Childhood
He was born in the village of Saukenuk which in the present-day is Rock Island, Illinois around the year 1767. His father was Pyesa was the medicine man of the village of the Saukenuk. The people used the village as a place for raising corn and a burial site during the summer but crossed the Mississippi when the winter time came. They did this is order to hunt for food and set traps so as to get fur for protection against the cold.
Social Position of Family
Black hawk’s father was a medicine man of the Sauk people. Black Hawk was also believed to be the descendant of Nanamakeee who was also known as Thunder and was A Sauk chief. He was his great grandfather and was believed to have met a white man to whom he was directed by the Great Spirit that he would meet him and he should treat him as his father. From this information we can establish that the family was a well reputable family. It is clear as Black Hawk began to lead wars at a very tender age of 19 (Schub, 10).
History of Sauk
In the life of Black hawk, he served as the war leader of Sauk people. He was not a natural born chief but took up the position after unruly leaders sold off their native land to the American settlers. He tried to fight for the land but was instead captured by the settlers and nearly a thousand of his men were killed in the war. He confesses that the fight for his people brought him more shame than honor. He was worn out by the wars and died in 1838.
Role of Sauk in European Wars
Following the 1804 treaty between the Indiana Governor and a section of leaders of the Sauk and Fox regarding land settlement, millions of acres of land were given up to the European settlers. Angered by the loss of his birth place land, Ma-ca-tai-me-she-kia-kiak or the Black Hawk led a group of Sauk people across the Mississippi (Schub, 17). He led his people in an attempt to seek the return of their land. Each time he was persuaded to return without any bloodshed but at one time militia met them on their way back and his British Band were hammered killing nearly 1000 people and led to the capture of Black hawk and also led to further loss of land to the settles.
View of the Sauk on Americans
Around 1812 the Great Britain sought the help of the Black Hawk in order to fight against the Americans. Black hawk led numerous other warriors that had been gathered by the British in fight against the Americans. From this context it is clear that the Sauk saw the Americans as the enemy (Schub 19). The Sauk people went to great lengths of even putting untrained locals in war with them in the fight for what belonged to them. This is because the Americans had earlier cunningly taken away millions of acres from them.
Black Hawk Capture
After the Black Hawk war which saw a large number of the Sauk people killed with the number totaling to the thousands. The Black Hawk was captured as ordered by American President Andrew Jackson. They met with him in order to face judgment for their improper behavior on the American citizens (Schub 29). They were imprisoned for a few days after which they were released. During their time in prison they were forced to pose for portraits to different artists.
Tour of Eastern American Cities
After their release they were sent out to be paraded in front of crowds that received them in a spectacle. This was in cities like Baltimore, and New York. In areas where they had history of battle and conflict they were not received warmly as images of them were burnt in protest. This was mainly in Detroit. These areas were angered by the bloodshed Black Hawk had caused in their city. This was a sign of conquering over the Sauk people.
Autobiography
Near the later days of his captivity, around the year 1833, Black Hawk told his life story. The told it to a United States government interpreter named Antoine LeClaire. The story that was written by Antoine was later edited by J.B Patterson a local reporter who made Black Hawk’s story the first Autobiography of a Native American. The Autobiography was published in Cincinnati, Ohio and in no time became a best seller.
This autobiography is authentic as it clearly states the life history of Black Hawk chronologically. It is without a doubt that historians use this autobiography as a source for the Illinois history.
Work Cited
Black, Hawk, Schub Martin and Widger David: Autobiography of ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, or Black Hawk, 1st-hand-history Foundation, 2009.
