Pontiac: “Master of Life” Speech

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Pontiac:“Master of Life” Speech
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Abstract

This speech, told to an Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Huron audience, was given by the Ottawa leader Pontiac in 1763 following the end of the French and Indian War (1754–63), which was part of a larger conflict known in Europe as the Seven Years’ War. Pontiac delivers a message from the Loup (Delaware) prophet Neolin saying that Native Americans should turn away from the influences of the Europeans. In particular, the Master of Life, God, asserted to Neolin that Native Americans needed to drink less alcohol, stop taking multiple wives, and cut off their reliance on Europeans.

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