Life Of Ma Ka Tai Me She Kia Kiak Or Black Hawk

In this autobiography by one of the great Native-American Chiefs, skirmishes between Native-American tribes and the United States government are recounted and described in detail, conveying the brutal and sad events of those times.

Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak (1833) is the autobiography of Sauk chief Black Hawk. Dictated to government interpreter Antoine LeClair following nearly a year in captivity, Black Hawk’s Autobiography captures his youth among the Sauk in the American Midwest, his union with British forces during the War of 1812, and his eventual rebellion against white settlers during the 1832 Black Hawk War. Revered by generations for his bravery and leadership, Black Hawk was also the first Native American to publish an autobiography. “My reason teaches me that land cannot be sold. The Great Spirit gave it to his children to live upon and cultivate as far as necessary for their subsistence, and so long as they occupy and cultivate it they have the right to the soil, but if they voluntarily leave it, then any other people have a right to settle on it. Nothing can be sold but such things as can be carried away.” In his own words, Black Hawk tells the story of his life and of his people. Long mistreated and betrayed by American settlers and government forces alike, the Sauk went to war against the United States twice. Although his final stand ended in surrender, Black Hawk remains a source of pride and a symbol of resilience nearly two centuries after his death. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Black Hawk’s Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak is a classic of Native American literature reimagined for modern readers.

I was born at the Sac village, on Rock river, in the year 1767, and am now in my 67th year. My great grandfather, Nanamakee, or Thunder, according to the tradition given me by my father, Pyesa, was born in the vicinity of Montreal, Canada, where the Great Spirit first placed the Sac nation, and inspired hi m with a belief that, at the end of four years he should see a white man, who would be to him a father. Consequently he blacked his face, and eat but once a day, just as the sun was going down, for three years, and continued dreaming, throughout all this time whenever he slept. When the Great Spirit again appeared to him, and told him that, at the end of one year more, he should meet his father, and directed him to start seven days before its expiration, and take with him his two brothers, Namah, or Sturgeon, and Paukahummawa, or Sunfish, and travel in a...

Reproduction of the original.