Pottawatomie

Pottawatomie is a name with historical significance primarily associated with a Native American tribe and various geographical locations in the United States. The Potawatomi people, historically part of the Council of Three Fires along with the Odawa and Ojibwe, are an Algonquian-speaking tribe whose traditional homeland spanned areas of present-day Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Their name, often translated as "people of the place of the fire," reflects their cultural identity.

Over time, due to various historical events including forced removals and westward expansion, Potawatomi communities dispersed. This dispersal led to the establishment of numerous Potawatomi settlements and reservations across the Midwest and beyond. Today, the federally recognized Potawatomi Nation has its headquarters in Mayetta, Kansas, with other significant communities in Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

The name "Pottawatomie" has also been applied to several geographical features and places, reflecting the historical presence and influence of the tribe. Notable examples include Pottawatomie County in Kansas, which contains the city of Manhattan, and Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas. There are also instances of Pottawatomie Park and Pottawatomie State Park, among other locations. These names serve as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Potawatomi people in the American landscape.