“They fill their movie with some stunning historical images and historical documents, a chorus of intelligent commentators and compelling music.” Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune.
The Negotiator: Billy Caldwell documentary has been submitted to several film festivals in the Great Lakes area, throughout the U.S. and in Europe. Stay tuned for announcements on this website.
“ Migwett to Susan L. Kelsey for your journey, your persistence, wonderful hospitality and making this possible. Special thanks for providing this piece of history to the world about the indigenous people who inhabited the land that is now known as Chicago. The film was wonderful, and I’m so proud of all the work that has gone into it.” SAS Mitchell (Potawatomi)
“Happy Solstice from Lake Michigan ❤️ The premiere was amazing. It feels so validating to hear and see our story told in this way, and to have my music adding to the storytelling is such an honor.” Elexa Dawson (Potawatomi)
“It is an intense film about the development of the city of Chicago and Billy Caldwell's direct connection to most of the treaties for the region. And, their impact on the local native American community. I had the honor of contributing some of my music to the project with some friends of mine within the community. It was very well put together and I'm glad to be a part of it. Congratulations to Ms. Susan Kelsey on an excellent production.” Mark Jourdan (Ho-Chunk)
The film in Chicago, The Negotiator: Billy Caldwell, is about mans cruelty to man, our European ancestors, the unjust and often violent, murder,,, against the Indigenous people that had been living here for many thousands of years. I think of my ancestors from both sides, and I can only very sadly shake my head. We need to all stop and think, to connect the dots, to understand that there have been bad people in our past, and that because we still don't recognize them, we still have bad people today. Great movie, a sad accounting of Billy Caldwell's life, he was a half breed in the early 1800's that helped negotiate peaceful treaties between the US government and First Nations, that were all broken. But, he did his best, saved lives and tried to protect his people. It was the premier, and I hope that people see this and start to learn and think about our nation's true history. Peace, love and a little music. Michael Murphy (Mohican, Huron)
“It was an honor to be asked to be a part of the new film that tells the story of Billy Caldwell. Congratulations to Susan Kelsey and the Prairie Band of Potawatomi on the new documentary, it was great!.” Josee Starr (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes) of North Dakota and also represents the Omaha Nation of Nebraska and Wiikwemkoong First Nation from Ontario, Canada
As one of the treaty signers in 1829 and 1833, Billy Caldwell and others negotiated the sale of 5,000,000 acres of land in northwest Illinois, resulting in the removal of all Native American tribes in the state of Illinois.
Billy Caldwell, son of a Mohawk woman and British Army Captain, William Caldwell was a leader in early Chicago. Although he was not a blood relative of the Great Lakes tribes in the area in 1833, Caldwell worked to negotiate the safe passage of the United Nations of Chippawa, Ottawa and Potawatomi out of the state of Illinois and west to Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Why didn't Billy Caldwell stay in Chicago? Why did he leave and live his final days in Council Bluffs, Iowa? What was his intention in signing the treaties? Today, Caldwell’s Band of Prairie People now live in Mayetta, Kansas as the federally-recognized tribe of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
This documentary explores these actions through research and interviews with local subject experts.
April 19, 2024–In a Historic Announcement from the U.S. Government, Illinois is Once Again Home to a Federally Recognized Tribal Nation
DEKALB COUNTY, ILL. – In a historic decision announced today, the U.S. Department of the Interior placed portions of the Shab-eh-nay Reservation land into trust for Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, making it the only federally recognized Tribal Nation in Illinois.
The news comes 175 years after the U.S. government illegally auctioned off 1,280 acres of Prairie Band’s Reservation land in northern Illinois when Chief Shab-eh-nay traveled from his home Reservation in what is now DeKalb County to visit his family in Kansas.
“Prairie Band has sought to continue our history as an original part of DeKalb County and right historical wrongs,” said Prairie Band Chairman Joseph Rupnick, the fourth generation great grandson of Chief Shab-eh-nay. “We have been asking for this recognition and for what is rightfully ours for nearly 200 years, and we are grateful to the U.S. Department of Interior for this significant step in the pursuit of justice for our people and ancestors.”
By placing the land into trust, the legal title is transferred to the United States, which holds it in trust for the Prairie Band. This confirms the land as an “Indian country” and solidifies jurisdictional boundaries, ensuring that the Nation can exercise sovereignty over the land.
Over the course of three years the documentary production team had fun traveling throughout Chicago, Iowa and Kansas. Film Locations: Chicago, Illinois; DeKalb, Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa; Council Bluffs, Iowa and Mayetta, Kansas. Thanks to so many people and organizations for making this film a reality. Friends to the right, Dan Melone, Dennis Downes, Susan Kelsey and Andrew Johnson.
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NEW: Fulfills Illinois requirement to teach Native American history.