Black Hawk was born at the Sac village on Rock river in 1767, the son of Py-e-sa. His great grandfather, Na-nà-ma-kee, was born in the vincinity of Montreal. He tells of traditions of his nation, Indian wars in which he particpated, manners and customs of his tribe, removal from his village in 1831, an account of the Black Hawk War, travels through the United States, etc.