This week marks an important event in the history of Michigan and the history of Native American tribes here in the Midwest.
250 years ago this week, Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa called a council of tribes. The purpose of the council was to figure out how to drive out the English settlers and army from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions.
Hundreds of Native Americans came to Chief Pontiac's council on the banks of the Ecorse River in what is now Council Point Park in Lincoln Park.
Many are familiar with the name Chief Pontiac because of the city in Oakland County that bears his name and the now-discontinued GM car line.
We wanted to learn more about the significance of Chief Pontiac and this Council that he led on April 27th, 1763.
Ben Hinmon, is the Cultural Instructor of the Seventh Generation Program of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe in Mount Pleasant. Hinmon is the Great-Great-Great-Great Grandson of Chief Pontiac.
Today he takes us back to what was happening during this council meeting in 1763 and he talks about the legacy of Chief Pontiac.
This weekend there will be a traditional Pow-Wow at Council Point Park in Lincoln Park. The Lincoln Park Historical Society and Museum, American Indian Movement of Michigan, and others are holding the free events, which also include a car show of classic Pontiacs at 5 p.m. Thursday, and a concert by singer-songwriter Bill Miller at 6 p.m. Friday.
You can listen to the full audio above.
