Detroit was the strongest position to the west of Niagara; it contained an abundance of stores, and would be a rich prize.

As Pontiac yearly visited this place during the trading season, he knew the locality well and was familiar with the settlers, the majority of whom were far from being friendly to the British.

Against Detroit he would lead the warriors, under the pretence of winning back the country for the French.
In the spring of 1763, instead of going direct to his usual camping-place, an island in Lake St Clair, Pontiac pitched his wigwam on the bank of the river Ecorces, ten miles south of Detroit, and here awaited the tribes whom he had summoned to a council to be held 'on the 15th of the moon'-- the 27th of April.

And at the appointed time nearly five hundred warriors--Ottawas, Potawatomis, Chippewas, and Wyandots--with their squaws and papooses, had gathered at the meeting-place, petty tribal jealousies and differences being laid aside in their common hatred of 'the dogs dressed in red,' the British soldiers.
When the council assembled Pontiac addressed them with fiery words.

The Ottawa chief was at this time about fifty years old.