Little Turtle
Little Turtle
Little Turtle was a Sagamore (chief) of the Miami people, who became one of the most famous Native American military leaders. Historian Wiley Sword calls him "perhaps the most capable Indian leader then in the Northwest Territory," although he later signed several treaties ceding land, which caused him to lose his leader status during the battles which became a prelude to the War of 1812. In the 1
"Here I am deaf and dumb. When I walk through the streets I see every person in his shop employed about something. Once makes shoes, another hats, a third sells cloth, and everyone lives by his labor. I say to myself, which of all these things can you do? not one. I can make a bow or an arrow, catch fish, kill game, and go to war, but none of these is of any use here."
"I have been the last to sign this treaty; I will be the last to break it."
"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."
"This liquor that they introduce into our country is more to be feared than the gun and tomahawk."
"More of us have died since the Treaty of Greeneville than we lost by the years of war before, and it is all owing to the introduction of liquor among us."
"This site honors the great Chief of the Miamis, Meshekinoqua, "The Little Turtle," son of the great Chief Acquenacque. He is held in the hearts of his people, allies, and foes with the greatest of honor and respect for his courageous valor and peacemaking."
