They could have very easily given up the fight, but to them this claims fight was the future for the Potawatomi. The Potawatomi reservation was desolate and offered little in the way of natural resources, and no employment opportunities existed at all. These astute leaders recognized that by giving something to each tribal member, poverty and unemployment would be alleviated, at least for a while. Improving conditions in these two areas would, no doubt, help advance their own political careers. Indian politics is no different than its white or black counterparts.
Political survival depends on coming through on campaign promises.
And just as true with all politics, offices are sometimes attained by lies and innuendoes, but political regimes with weak foundations never last. These old leaders, wise in their ways, worked hard with no pay to realize their dreams. While it may seem like a retribution, the settlement represented about 25 cents an acre. The entire process was a tribute to what Indian leaders are capable of achieving when they work together for a goal.