Chief Pontiac

Pontiac or Obwandiyag (between 1712 and 1725 – April 20, 1769), was a Native American Ottawa war leader, remembered for his participation in a struggle against British occupation of the Great Lakes region that bears his name: Pontiac's Rebellion. Pontiac rose to great fame and importance during that war, and yet the documentary evidence of Pontiac's life is scanty. Much of what has been written about Pontiac had been based on tradition and speculation, and so depictions of him have varied greatly over the years.{{fn|1}}

Related Topics:
1712 - 1725 - April 20 - 1769 - Native American - Ottawa - British - Great Lakes region - Pontiac's Rebellion

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Pontiac was labeled the "chief" of the Ottawas by his white contemporaries and subsequent historians; modern historians believe that the Ottawas did not have an overall chief in Pontiac's time, and that Native American leaders did not issue commands with the authority that Pontiac was traditionally portrayed as having. However, Pontiac's rise to prominence led British officials to negotiate with Pontiac as if he had such authority. Pontiac embraced this expansive role, causing tensions with other Indian leaders, which ultimately helped lead to his downfall.{{fn|2}}

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