Council of Three Fires

The Council of Three Fires was an alliance formed in the 18th and 19th centuries among three indigenous nations in the Great Lakes region: the Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), and Potawatomi. They united for mutual protection, sharing resources, and decision-making, particularly as they faced European colonization and American expansion. This alliance helped these nations maintain their cultural identities, resist external threats, and negotiate with newcomers. The Council served as a collaborative leadership model, emphasizing cooperation among the three groups to ensure their survival and sovereignty in a changing world.