Famous Chiefs

Native Name
Lalawethika (The Noise Maker) became Tenskwatawa (The Open Door)

White Name
The Prophet

Nation
Shawnee

The Prophet, a Shawnee, was born in 1775 and raised by his sister. He was the brother of the famous chief, Tecumseh, and generally lacked the skills of his brothers and sisters. He tried to be a medicine man but failed at that as well. He became dependent upon alcohol.

In 1805, he fell into a deep trance. His family thought he was dead and got ready for his funeral. He regained consciousness and claimed he had been visited by the primary God of the Shawnee. He said he was told that the Native peoples must give up all white customs and products. If they did this, the white settlers would be driven away. The Natives would have an "open door" to heaven. This is how he got the name Prophet.

While Tecumseh was away trying to consolidate Indian troops, Prophet and his soldiers attacked the troops of William Henry Harrison in 1811. The American army defeated the Indians. This battle became known as The Battle of Tippecanoe.

The Prophet encouraged Natives to join the British in the War of 1812. He moved to Canada and retired on a British pension. He returned to Ohio in 1826 and went with his people to Kansas, where he died.

Resources

·Prophet Ohio History Central http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/ohc/history/h_indian/people/prophet.shtml

·Shawnee Prophet http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/people/A0844763.html

·Shawnee Prophet http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0844763.html