Monday, February 11, 2013

How did white Americans influence the Native Americans religiously?

A Native American man named Tenkswataya (also known as "The Prophet") gave a speech to Governor William Henry Harrison of Indiana in 1808.  The Prophet explained to the governor that his goal was to show the Native Americans "the good principles of religion which the white people profess."  The speech shows how The Prophet became a messenger from "The Great Spirit" to tell the Native Americans that he created them and they should not do evil or abandon the world.  The Prophet explained that the religion he has been preaching started to attract more followers from different backgrounds.  Their sharing of the religion has united them and they feel a stronger connection.  The Prophet made a point of saying, "We desire that you will join us for the preservation of both red and white people."  He continued, "we must lay aside this character and attend to the care of our children, " meaning that they should all lay aside their differences so their children could live in peace.  He wants to guarantee that there would be no violence between the next generations of Native Americans and white Americans. The prophet truly wanted peace between the whites and the Native Americans and he promised his people would follow the words of the Great Spirit to get this to happen.

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