Pontiac Calls for War, 1763

Key Figures

Resistance to European Influence: Pontiac urged Native Americans to resist European control and return to their traditional ways.
Cultural Revival: Emphasized abandoning European customs and returning to pre-contact traditions.

Spiritual Authority: Neolin claims to be the "Master of Life" who created everything and calls for obedience.
Moral Directives:
- Abstain from excessive drinking.
- Avoid infighting among Native Americans.
- Maintain monogamous relationships; reject polygamy and adultery.
False Worship: Criticizes the belief in Manitou (considered a bad spirit) and encourages a return to worshipping the Creator directly.

Land Ownership: Emphasizes that the land was made for Native Americans, not Europeans.
Self-Sufficiency:
- Advocates for returning to traditional hunting methods (bow and arrow) instead of relying on European goods like guns and powder.
- Claims the animals were withdrawn due to moral failings and promises their return if Native Americans abandon European ways.
War Efforts: Encourages driving out Europeans who are seen as enemies and disruptors of Native lands.

Differentiation: Distinguishes between Europeans who pray and respect the Creator (allowed) and those who disrupt Native life (to be expelled).
Divine Right: Asserts that Europeans who do not know the Creator are enemies and should return to their lands.

Divine Support: Neolin, through Pontiac, claims divine support in the endeavor to reclaim land and return to traditional practices.
Historical Context: Reflects the growing tension between Native Americans and European settlers during the period and the spiritual and cultural underpinnings of resistance.

Collections of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, Volume VIII, Second Edition: Provides the primary source for this narrative.