Life of Black Hawk

The introduction of the book illustrates its critical importance as an Indigenous text. Black Hawk’s account is the first text that represents an Indigenous perspective on the early conflicts between the Indigenous nations and the European settlers. As such, it illuminates the reality of colonial expansion and counters the dominant Anglo-American narratives that emphasize the Indigenous cruelty against innocent settlers. Black Hawk’s intention to make his life story known raises the issue of Indigenous “misrepresentation” throughout history. Black Hawk’s desire to present his own narrative shows the ongoing need of Indigenous Americans to tell their own stories and expand the narrative on American history. The Black Hawk War was a result of a prolonged colonial conflict. The ambiguous conditions of the Treaty of 1804 by which the Sauk ceded all their homeland instigated the Sauk struggle. Concern for the seizure of land by the Americans led the Sauk to ally with the British army in the War of 1812. Simultaneously, Black Hawk’s narration sheds light on how limited Indigenous agency was on the making of the treaties. With disregard to Indigenous rights, white settlers occupied the Sauk homeland. The fact that Black Hawk presents this narrative speaks to the theme of Colonialism and Black Hawk’s Physical and Literary Resistance. He resisted not only by staying on Sauk lands, but also by telling this narrative and ensuring a Sauk perspective is included in this historical record.

Even though Black Hawk was not a chief of the Sauk tribe, his status as a war leader and his possession of the “medicine bag” made him a significant representative of the nation during the colonial wars. The politics of forced removal also caused a rift in the tribe as Black Hawk clashed with Ke-o-kuck, another Sauk leader, who thought it was best for the tribe to leave their homeland. For a long time after the Anglo-American war, Black Hawk wanted to avoid armed conflict and adopted the strategy of nonviolent resistance. Ignoring demands for removal, Black Hawk led his band back to their village, determined to remain and continue cultivating their land. The army’s arrival to enforce the Sauk removal instigated the conflict when Black Hawk sent his men to negotiate and avoid battle and the army killed them. Violence continued, and atrocities were committed by both sides. Initially Black Hawk and his men succeeded in battle. However, lack of provisions and food, as well as the absence of alliances, made Black Hawk realize his tribe could not continue the war. Persisting to the end, most of the Sauk in Black Hawk’s war party were slaughtered by the American army in the Battle of Bad Axe in 1832, which terminated the Black Hawk War.

As Andrew Jackson was enforcing the Indigenous removal policies, his order of Black Hawk’s tour in the East illustrated his desire to show the authority of the United States over the Indigenous nations. However, observing the white American way of life, Black Hawk realized that he could draw on this culture and the significance of “printed words.” As crowds were gathering to see the Indigenous people, Black Hawk wished to tell his life story in his own way. The loss he and his tribe experienced and his wounded pride as a former powerful warrior urged him to explain the cruel realities of war and colonialism to the white people. Ultimately, his narrative illuminates Sauk culture and details the history of colonial conflict in the East, while it also shows the contrasts between Indigenous and European cultures, highlighting Indigenous Versus White Values and Mindset. With this narrative, Black Hawk attempts to contrast Indigenous values with those of the white people, and he tells of observing this contrast upon his tour of the eastern states.

It should also be noted that, as Black Hawk’s account was oral, translation and editing during the writing process altered certain aspects of his narration. His story reflects his personal perspective that might not represent the whole Sauk tribe, even as it remains a pivotal testimony within Indigenous cultures and about colonial conflict in the early 19th century. Black Hawk reveals the violence of the “Indian Wars” and the conflict between settlers and Indigenous people, offering a groundbreaking narrative on a complex period in American history.