Pontiac

Pontiac was an esteemed war chief of the Ottawa nation who became alarmed by aggressive British colonial policies and contemptuous treatment of Native nations following France's defeat in 1763. He rallied Ottawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Huron leaders around the spiritual teachings of Neolin.

In May 1763, Pontiac launched a surprise siege of Fort Detroit while allied tribes captured nine other British forts across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. His formidable resistance forced the British Crown to issue the Royal Proclamation of 1763, reserving western lands for indigenous nations.