WHITE EAGLE
Of all the tribes in the United States, the Poncas were some of the most
friendly and peaceful. Many times they had been promised that they would
not have to give up their lands in Nebraska.
But settlers wanted to farm the land, so the Poncas were told they must
move to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Some refused to move. Soldiers
were sent to remove them. Their leader, Chief White Eagle finally agreed
to move.
Life in Indian Territory was hard and
many people asked to return to their
homelands in Nebraska. Chief White
Eagle tried to make the best of things.
After many years, he saw his tribe grow
happier in their new homes.
He told the government, “I have been
looking for help. No one came to help
us. We helped ourselves. And now,
we have turned over a new leaf. I think
we will have better times. I will dwell
in this land.”
1. Where were the Poncas from and
why were they asked to move?
2. What did Chief White Eagle do as a good leader for his tribe?
3. Why would moving your family to a new land be hard?
Courtesy Oklahoma Council for Social Studies