Neolin << nay OH lind >> was a spiritual leader of the Delaware, a Native American people also known as the Lenape. He came into prominence in the early 1760’s. Neolin was popularly known as the Delaware Prophet. He preached that Indians should reclaim their traditional ways and lands and reject the ways of white people. His teachings influenced the Ottawa chief Pontiac, who led an alliance of Native American groups against British outposts in the Ohio River Valley and around the Great Lakes in the eastern and eastern central area of what is now the United States, along its border with Canada.
Almost nothing is known of Neolin’s early life. He lived in the Ohio River Valley near the end of the French and Indian War (1754-1763). At about this time, Neolin claimed to undergo a religious experience. During this experience, according to Neolin, the Master of Life, creator of the universe, gave him instructions for the salvation of Indian peoples. At this time, most Native Americans in what is now the eastern United States had come to depend on Europeans for many of their most important supplies. Neolin claimed that contact with Europeans had made it more difficult to find salvation in the next life than before.
The Delaware had lost much of their land to British colonists and lived with many hardships. Neolin said that they should live better lives and abandon the use of firearms, steel, alcoholic beverages, and other European products. He urged them to expel the colonists from their lands. Neolin also preached that all Native Americans should be united and treat one another as brothers. Several Delawares had preached similar ideas before, but Neolin was more influential and gained a loyal following.
The Ottawa leader Pontiac became particularly influenced by Neolin’s teachings. Pontiac attempted to unite the Delaware and other Native Americans to drive out the British. Fighting in the conflict—known as Pontiac’s War—broke out in 1763, but the British eventually defeated Pontiac.
No direct references to Neolin’s activities appear in historical texts after the late 1760’s. His teachings remained influential decades later, however. Historians connect Neolin’s spiritual lessons with those popularized in the early 1800’s by Tenskwatawa (the “Shawnee Prophet“) and Seneca leader Handsome Lake.
