Meet the Author: Remember Indian Creek! In the Shadow of the Black Hawk War

Meet the Author: Remember Indian Creek! In the Shadow of the Black Hawk War

Join this seminar and learn about The Indian Creek Massacre, a tragic part of our local Illinois history. Meet author, educator and historian Heinz Suppan, as he discusses the events of the Indian Creek Massacre and his book Remember Indian Creek!-In the Shadow of the Black Hawk War. The site of the massacre is marked by memorials in Shabbona County Park about 14 miles north of Ottawa in LaSalle County Illinois.

Book Overview-From Indian Creek to the Bad Axe River, a story is told about 16 settlers who were massacred during a much larger event: the Black Hawk War. In order to understand what led to this massacre, it is important to trace the history of the events that led to the Black Hawk War and the suspicions that developed between the Indians and the demands of the white settlers for their lands. What happened at Indian Creek really had very little to do with what Black Hawk and his band of Sauk and Fox Indians wanted, which was to live in peace alongside the white settlers. The events at Indian Creek focused on the arrival of settlers looking to start a new life, wanting to increase their wealth by developing farms. The return of Black Hawk to Illinois and his successful victory over the militia north of Fort Dixon on the Rock River inspired these local Potawatomie Indians to take hostile action towards these settlers along Indian Creek. The problems that arose from conflicts between the U.S. Army and the local militias culminated with the pursuit of Black Hawk and his people as they tried to move in peace to find a new home in Wisconsin. Indian Creek today provides a peaceful area for family outings, but the monuments that reflect these events still ring out with the cries of so many settlers who were killed on that warm May afternoon in 1832.

Books are currently on sale at the Joliet Junior College bookstore and will be available for purchase through a representative from the JJC bookstore during the seminar.

Monday, May 18, 6:30-8:30p.m., Joliet Junior College Main Campus

Enrollment Fee: $14 *For each $14 paid registration, a friend or family member can register at the reduced price of $7.

To register or for additional information please call 815-280-1555

*Reference class number LLC 4969