Little Traverse: Little Traverse Regional Historical Society, 2003. Facsimile reprint of 1887 Ypsilanti edition. Title continues " ...A Grammar of their language, and personal and family history of the author" ("an educated Indian, son the the Ottawa chief. His Indian name is Mack-aw-de-be-nessy (Black Hawk")Small trade size paperback,5" by 6.5 ",128 pages, unworn, unmarked, a faithful facsimile of 1887 book by Chief Mack-E-Te-Be-Nessy, (A.J. Blackbird) "Blackbird was born in the (Harbor Springs) area...around 1815. At least one account, though, places this date as late as 1821. His father was an Ottawa leader also named Makade-binesi, or "Black Hawk." The name was mistranslated first by the French and from French to English as "Blackbird", which became the family's English name. Makade-binesi was chief of the Arbor Croche or Middle Village band. Makade-binesi was stranded on a small island by white traders he was helping, and was left to die. Although his father survived, this cruelty left a strong impression on Andrew. The death of his brother, William,  on June 25, 1833, under suspicious circumstances as he was completing his studies for the Roman Catholic priesthood, left an indelible impression on Andrew and perhaps was the source of his intense antipathy for that religion from then on.Blackbird frequently bemoaned his limited formal education. Because his father was a chief, Blackbird was solidly educated in traditional Ottawa culture and practices." (Wikipedia) He also attended Eastern Michigan, then known as Michigan State Normal School.