The Prairie Land Potawatomi Nation has successfully reclaimed land in Illinois that its leader was promised 175 years ago, but was wrongfully taken by the federal government two decades thereafter. Under legislation signed by Governor JB Pritzker last week, the Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, comprising 1,500 acres (607 hectares) in north-central Illinois, has been returned to the Potawatomi.
Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation from Mayetta, Kansas, expressed pride in reclaiming the land, stating, “We are proud to once again call this land home.” This transfer marks the return of Potawatomi territory to the area originally designated to Chief Shab-eh-nay through an 1829 treaty with the U.S. government. The treaty was never modified, yet when Shab-eh-nay and his people traveled to visit family in Kansas for a few years, the land was sold to white settlers by the government.
The land returned is not the exact parcel originally belonging to Chief Shab-eh-nay, as his 1,280-acre (518-hectare) reservation now includes parcels that have turned into private holdings, a golf course, and a county forest preserve. Any attempt to reclaim the exact land would likely result in extensive legal challenges.
Rupnick highlighted the significance of the occasion, emphasizing collaborative efforts and shared goals for justice and respect. He commended Illinois for being a forerunner in the Land Back movement. “This moment reflects the power of collaboration and the shared desire to build a future rooted in justice and respect,” he noted, adding that the initiative demonstrates the potential for healing and reconciliation.
The returned land will remain open to the public as a recreational park, with the state assuming responsibility for its maintenance.
Rupnick has extensively engaged with Illinois stakeholders, journeying from Kansas to negotiate, support storm cleanup endeavors, and converse with community members apprehensive about potential alterations to the park. During a legislative session last spring, he explained that establishing a casino wouldn’t be logical, considering the existing number of gambling establishments approved by the state. Nonetheless, Rupnick remained open to the potential addition of a hotel, acknowledging the park’s 150 campsites, the 500,000 visitors drawn annually, and the nearest hotel being a 20-minute journey from the site, 68 miles (109 kilometers) west of Chicago.