Spotka

Spotka
Born unknown
Nationality Potawatomi
Occupation Native American chief
Title Chief

Spotka, also known as Hanokula[1] (c. 17??) was chief of a sojourning band of Potawatomi in Illinois during the late 18th and early 19th century.

Later Years

As Chief Spotka's life was coming to an end he turned over the responsibility of chief to his son-in-law Shabbona. Upon the change of leadership, Chief Spotka had this to say about Shabbona, "I have always been a warrior and in my youth I won great honors and excelled beyond those with whom I lived and for this I was finally made a chief. At that time, I said when a warrior rose among us who was as I was then, to him I would give over my title. Shabbona is such a one ---not only as I was then, but even more. From this day forward, he is your chief." [2]

Notes

  1. "A Sorrow in Our Hearts," by Eckert, Allan W., 1992 .
  2. Stories of the Potawatomi People: From Early Days to Modern Times by Mitchell, Gary E.

References