Thornton Historical Society presents a program Entitled “Watseka”

Thornton, IL – March 8, 2022

Please join the Thornton Historical Society as they present a program on the beautiful and intelligent Watseka, member of the Potawatomi tribe, given by her descendant George Godfrey. Godfrey, a Citizen Potawatomi, lived his childhood on several different reservations. He is President of the Potawatomi Trail of Death Association, a traditional powwow dancer, storyteller and author of several books, including Watchekee (Watseka) Walking in Two Cultures.

Watseka, also known as “Watchekee” was the daughter of respected warrior and leader Shabonna. She was born around 1810 at an “Indian village site” in Illinois presided over by her uncle, Chief Tamin. At 14 or 15 years of age she married Thornton founder Gurdon S. Hubbard. They had a daughter who died in infancy and mutually dissolved the union in 1826. After the Potawatomi signed the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, she was among those who were removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1837, but she visited Illinois often.

The program will be held at the Thornton Historical Museum, 114 N. Hunter Street, Thornton, IL on March 28, 2022, at 7:00pm. This program is free of charge and everyone is welcome to attend.