TERRE HAUTE — Last week’s column discussed Indiana’s most influential Indian tribes, the Miami, Wea, and Piankashaw, as described in The Indian Tribes of North America, by John R. Swanton. Yet, there were other tribes that also left their mark in and on the state.
The Chippewa or Ojibwa was a tribe of the east coast and the Great Lakes area. Like the Miamis, they were part of the Algonquin linguistic group. In treaties made in 1795, 1817, and 1821, they relinquished their lands in Indiana to the whites. Their tribal name means “to roast until puckered,” and referred to the puckered seam in their moccasins.
The Delaware Indians were also of Algonquin stock. They originated on the east coast (Delaware River) and later moved westward into Ohio. In 1770, they obtained permission from the Miami and Piankashaw to move into the area between the Ohio and White Rivers in Indiana. They established six villages in this area, but later moved west to Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
The Illinois Indians were most prominent in Illinois but also had lands in Indiana which they relinquished in 1795 to the whites. Although most closely related to the Miamis, they were often at odds with them. Their tribal name means “men” or “people.”
The Iroquois and Seneca tribes, originally from the New York area, were responsible for driving out the early native residents of Indiana, but they had few, if any, settlements in Indiana themselves.
The Kickapoo tribe lived primarily in Wisconsin and on the Vermilion River in Illinois, but also occupied areas in western Indiana, especially on the Wabash River. Their name means “he moves about, standing now there, now there.” They were of the Algonquin linguistic group.
The Mosopelea was a tribe that spoke the Sioux dialect. In 1673 they were living in southwestern Ohio and most likely extended into southeastern Indiana. They later went west, to the juncture of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, then southward through Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. They were also known as Ofo, or “dog people.”
The Potawatomi, meaning “people of the place of the fire,” occupied lands in Michigan, but extended their settlements into northern Indiana in the 1700s until they gave up their lands to the United States in the 1800s.
They were of the Algonquin linguistic group.
The Shawnee, although primarily a southern tribe of Kentucky and Tennessee, were always on the move and played a role in Indiana history. They had an ancient town at the joining of the Ohio and the Wabash rivers, in Posey County. They were of the Algonquin linguistic group and related to the Kickapoo. Their chief, Tecumseh, and his brother, The Prophet, both sought to create Indian uprisings against the whites, advocating a return to their ancestral way of life, free from white influence. The Prophet fought at the Battle of Tippecanoe, north of Lafayette, in 1811, and was defeated by General William Henry Harrison. The Shawnee name means “southerners.”
The Wyandot tribe of Wisconsin and Ohio ceded their Indiana lands to the whites in 1795. Their tribal name means “dwellers on a peninsula.” They were of the Iroquoian linguistic group. They were also called Hurons, meaning “rough,” by the French.
History
Genealogy: Many tribes left their mark on Indiana
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
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In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties




