Michikinikwa
Overview
 
Little Turtle, or Mishikinakwa (in Miami-Illinois) (c. 1747 – July 14, 1812), was a chief of the Miami people, and one of the most famous Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...

 military leaders of his time. He led his followers in several major victories against United States forces in the 1790s during the Northwest Indian Wars, also called Little Turtle's War. In 1791, they defeated General St. Clair
Arthur St. Clair
Arthur St. Clair was an American soldier and politician. Born in Scotland, he served in the British Army during the French and Indian War before settling in Pennsylvania, where he held local office...

, who lost 600 men, the most decisive loss by the US against Native American forces.

In the years leading up to the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...

, Little Turtle became an advocate for peace with the U.S.
Quotations

I have been the last to sign this treaty; I will be the last to break it.

upon signing the Treaty of Greenville, August 3, 1795

"My forefather kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence, he extended his lines to the head waters of Scioto; from thence, to its mouth; from thence, down the Ohio, to the mouth of the Wabash, and from thence to Chicago, on lake Michigan"

Claiming tribal lands at the Treaty of Greenville|Treaty of Greenville (American State Papers, Indian Affairs, vol. 1, pp. 570-571; Dft. Ex. 96).

While visiting Philadelphia, Count Volney told Michikinikwa of the theory that Asians had crossed the Bering Strait to America and become Indians. Michikinikwa asked why Indians could not have crossed and become Asians.

 
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