Chief Metea or Me-te-a (English: /mə.ˈti.jə/;[1] Potawatomi: Mdewé; "Sulks") (c. 1778-1827) was one of the principal chiefs of the Potawatomi during the early 19th century, described as a "warrior, spiritualist and orator".[2] He frequently acted as spokesman at treaty councils.[citation needed] His village, Meskwawasebyéton, was located on the St. Joseph River near the present-day city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.[3][4][5]
Metea | |
|---|---|
 Metea portrait by Samuel Seymour | |
| Born | c. 1778 United States |
| Died | May 5, 1827 (approx. 49) Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States |
| Occupation | Native American chief |
| Title | Chief |
Metea was born circa 1778. He led various battles against the encroaching Americans, including during the War of 1812, in which he allied with the Shawnee military leader Tecumseh. After experiencing many injuries, he took on a more diplomatic approach with the Americans,[3] including speaking against the Treaty of Chicago.[2] He acted as principal Potawatomi informant to William Keating during the 1823 expedition into the Indiana Territory by Major Stephen Long.[citation needed] Through treaty negotiations, Metea advocated for Indigenous education,[3] as well as ongoing annuities for the Indigenous people living on the land.[6]
Metea died at Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1827.[7] According to the United States, his death was caused by accidental ingestion of poison, which he mistook for whiskey following a conversation with US dignitaries. It is more likely that he was assassinated.[citation needed]
Legacy
editMetea has been commemorated through the naming of multiple locations, including Metea, Indiana, a small town in Cass County, Indiana.[5][6][8] Metea County Park and Nature Preserve in Allen County, Indiana and Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois are also named after Metea.
References
edit- ↑ Keeney, Jenna (November 1, 2013). "It's Metea, not Metea". Metea Media. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- 1 2 CPN Public Information Office (September 7, 2018). "The United States' handling of the "Indian problem"". Potawatomi.org. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Metea". CPN Cultural Heritage Center. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- ↑ Secunda, Ben (2008). "The Road to Ruin? "Civilization" and the Origins of a "Michigan Road Band" of Potawatomi". Michigan Historical Review. 34 (1): 118–149. ISSN 0890-1686.
- 1 2 Dunn, Jacob Piatt (1912). "Indiana Geographical Nomenclature". The Indiana Quarterly Magazine of History. 8 (3): 109–114. ISSN 0147-2259.
- 1 2 Hunter, Juanita (1987). "The Indians and the Michigan Road". Indiana Magazine of History. 83 (3): 244–266. ISSN 0019-6673.
- ↑ Vogel, Virgil J. (1962). "Indian Place Names in Illinois, Part III". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1908-1984). 55 (3): 271–308. ISSN 0019-2287.
- ↑ Powell, Jehu Z. (1913). History of Cass County Indiana: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 483.
External links
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