In the 1780s, a native american leader who resisted white expansion was

Little Turtle, or Mihšihkinaahkwa 

Little Turtle was the chief of the Miami people in the Old Northwest. He was one of the most famous Native American military leaders of his time. He led several victorious wars (called the Little Turtle's War) against the United States forces during the Northwest Indian Wars in the 1790s, with his battle against General St. Clair, being one of his most glorious victories. 

If i remember correctly it was caused by people hurling bodies at a country for some reason and them they all became infected