Keeper of the Sacred Pipe

KEEPER OF THE SACRED PIPE is a Native American saga about Pontiac, the great Indian leader whose vision was to unite the tribes of America into a single nation in order to inhibit the advance of white settlements. The story begins as the French and Indian War begins. A council of Sioux chieftains from throughout Dakota land hears about this leader who has risen among the Ottawas, someone who is spreading peace and forgiveness among tribes that have fought for untold generations with one another. It is said that Pontiac is neither a chief nor a warrior, but the keeper of his nation’s sacred pipe. The council decides to send its own pipe-keeper, Spotted Owl, and his two grandsons to meet with him. Brave Bear is the elder being trained to become the next pipe-keeper, while Sun Eagle is being trained by his grandfather as a medicine man. Tragedy occurs when Spotted Owl suddenly dies and Brave Bear is killed on his honeymoon by a grizzly. His young widow is Morning Star, who is found badly wounded after the attack. She's brought to be healed by Sun Eagle, her brother-in-law, who barely knows her, and who was against his brother's marriage. When Morning Star is finally out of danger, Sun Eagle leaves to carry out the mission to see Pontiac, taking with him the Dakota's sacred pipe. He makes a vision quest and almost dies, but is rescued by his brother's widow. Together, they make the hazardous journey across the Great Plains to meet with Pontiac. Meanwhile, a fur trader named George Croghan, who is well known among the tribes, is hired by the army to keep it supplied while it invades tribal lands to capture Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh) from the French. The attempt which is led by young George Washington ends in disaster, and Croghan loses all of his wagons and packhorses. Left destitute and threatened with debtor's prison, Croghan can only hope to be reimbursed by the army. As partial compensation for his loss and because Croghan is known and trusted by the tribespeople, he is given the position of Indian agent by Sir William Johnson, the superintendent of Indian Affairs in the American colonies. Pontiac assembles the chiefs of the Great Lake tribes, many of whom were mortal enemies only recently. For years Pontiac has counseled peace among the tribes, following the teachings of the sacred pipe. He is against war and counsels peace, even with the white man. But when the army again tries to invade tribal lands, the Ottawa pipe-keeper leads his greatly outnumbered warriors to surprising victories. Forts are captured through stealth and trickery, and without the loss of life on either side. Sun Eagle and Morning Star at last meet with Pontiac, who invites them to his home, an island retreat he shares with his crippled wife, Nebah Kohum. While Sun Eagle is taught the teachings of the pipe by Pontiac, Nebah Kohum and Morning Star become best friends. In the spring, they all set out by canoe to visit Iroquoia. Pontiac's visions assure him that a treaty favorable to the tribes will be signed, leaving the homelands of the tribespeople safe and secure from white settlement. When King George III signs the Proclamation of 1763, forbidding his colonial subjects from crossing the mountains and entering Indian territories, the pipe-keeper is convinced that his visions have been realized. He signs a treaty that guarantees there will be no encroachments of white settlers upon tribal homelands, trusting its words. He does not know that neither the army nor the government has any intention of honoring the treaty’s terms. This requires Croghan, the Indian agent trusted by the tribes, to decide whose side he’s on.