SIX NATIONS – The 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair, or World’s Columbian Exhibition as it was called, was held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ “discovery” of North America — the New World.
It was a showcase of the Old World’s leading technologies of the day and stunning architecture.
There was also a sad irony in the invitation to attend and speak was extended to Simon Pokagon. It was his father, Pottawotami Chief Leopold Pokagon, who has signed what became known as the Chicago Treaty of 1933, in which the very land the Exposition was held on was deeded to the white government.
Simon accepted the invitation and, at his own expense, had a number of small birch bark covered books printed which he titled, “The Red Man’s Rebuke.”
Because he did, Simon Pokagon’s words still live on today and carry as much, if not more weight, some 180 years later.
The book was short and to the point and we are pleased to be able to reprint Pokagon’s sentiments for our Two Row Times readers.
In behalf of my people, the American Indians, I hereby declare to you, the palefaced race that has usurped our lands and homes that we have no spirit to celebrate with you the great Columbian Fair now being held in Chicago city …
No, sooner would we hold high joy-day over the graves of our departed fathers, than to celebrate our own funeral, the ‘discovery’ of America. And while you are strangers, and you who live here, bring your offerings of handiwork or your own lands, and your hearts in admiration rejoice over the beauty and grandeur of this young republic, and you say, “Behold the wonders brought by our children in this foreign land,” do not forget that this success has been at the sacrifice of our homes and a once happy race. Where these great Columbian show-buildings stretch skyward, and where stands, the “Queen City of the West,” once stood the red man’s wigwam; here met their old men, young men and maidens; here blazed their council fires. But now the eagle’s eye can find no trace of them. Here was the centre of their widespread hunting-grounds; stretching far eastward, and to the great salt Gulf southward, and to the lofty Rocky Mountain chain westward, and all about and beyond the Great Lakes northward, roamed vast herds of buffalo that no man could number, while moose, deer, elk were found from ocean to ocean; pigeons, ducks and geese in near bowshot moved in great clouds through the air, while fish swarmed our streams, lakes and sea close to shore. All were provided by the Great Spirit for our use; we destroyed none except for food and dress, had plenty and were contented and happy.
But alas! The pale-faces came to our shores, many times needy and hungry. We nursed and fed them — fed the ravens that were soon to pluck out our eyes and the eyes of our children; for no sooner had the news reached the Old World that a new continent had been found … than, locust-like, they swarmed on all our coasts …
The cyclone of civilization spread westward; the forests of untold centuries were swept away; streams dried up; lakes fell back from their ancient bounds, and all our fathers once loved to gaze4 upon was destroyed, defaced or marred, except the sun, moon, and starry skies above, which the Great Spirit hung beyond their reach …
You say of us that we are treacherous, vindictive and cruel; in answer to the charge we declare to all the world … that before the white man came among us we were kind, outspoken and forgiving. Our real character has been misunderstood because we have resented the breaking of treaties made with the United States, as we honestly understood them …
We never shall be happy here anymore; we gaze into the faces of our little ones, for smiles of infancy to please, and into the faces of our young men and maidens, for joy we find but looks of sadness there. Then we fully realize in the anguish of our souls that their young and tender hearts … have drank in the sorrows we have felt, and their sad faces reflect it back to us again …
This information was shared with us by one of our cross boarder readers, Floyd Rensud, originally from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. We thank Floyd for sharing with our readers this sad glimpse from the past, yet even sadder is that the same words resonate in 2013.
Featured Image: In an act of supreme insensitivity, the World Fare of 1833 invited Simon Pokagon as special guest to the event celebrating the 400th anniversary of the ‘discovery’ of the new world by Christopher Columbus. Pokagon was the son of Pottowatami Chief Leopold Pokagon who was duped into signing off the very land Chicago’s Worlds Fair was built on. Simon accepted the invitation, but has some choice words to say to his hosts.
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