Neolin (The Delaware Prophet of the Master of Life)

Neolin (meaning 'The Enlightened' or 'The Four' in Delaware) lived along the Cuyahoga and Muskingum rivers in the Ohio Country. In the wake of the French and Indian War, as Anglo-American settlers flooded across the Appalachian Mountains, Neolin retreated into solitary fasting and prayer.

Ascent to the Master of Life

In 1761, Neolin experienced an awe-inspiring vision: guided by a radiant celestial woman, he climbed a sheer mountain of luminous white glass, casting aside his clothes and weapons until he reached the palace of the Master of Life (Kitanitowit). The Creator warned him that Native peoples were losing their souls by adopting European rum, firearms, consumer goods, and internecine warfare.

The Great Parchment & Pontiac's Alliance

Neolin brought down a sacred inscribed parchment (the 'Great Book of Writing') mapping the path of the righteous soul through the heavens. He preached that all Indigenous nations must lay aside tribal feuds, abandon European alcohol and trade dependency, and unite as brothers under the Master of Life. His spiritual message was adopted by Ottawa leader Pontiac, sparking a historic pan-tribal alliance that captured nine British frontier forts in 1763.