American Indians of Iowa facts for kids
American Indians of Iowa include numerous Native American tribes and prehistoric cultures that have lived in this territory for thousands of years. There has been movement both within the territory, by prehistoric cultures that descended into historic tribes, and by other historic tribes that migrated into the territory from eastern territories. In some cases they were pushed by development pressure and warfare.
Contents
Prehistoric period
Chiwere-Siouan speaking tribes
The Chiwere-speaking tribes are descended from the prehistoric Oneota culture. At the time of contact with European explorers, their range covered most of Iowa. The Ho-Chunk ranged primarily east of the Mississippi in southern Wisconsin, the Ioway/Baxoje ranged in northern Iowa, the Otoe in central and southern Iowa, and the Missouria in far southern Iowa. All these tribes were also active during the historic period.
Dhegihan-Siouan speaking tribes
The following tribes arrived in the late prehistoric period:
The Dhegiha lived near the Missouri in the very Late Prehistoric and historic periods; they appear to have migrated to the region from the south or southeast. Their origin location is debated.
Other Siouan-language-speaking tribes
The following tribes are of the late prehistoric and historic period:
These may be descendants of Late Prehistoric Mill Creek cultures, whose range extended into northwest Iowa. Their territory was wide; the Lewis and Clark expedition reported on Mandan villages on the upper Missouri River.
Dakotan-Siouan speakers
The Dakota pushed southward into much of Iowa in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were frequently seen by European-American settlers. In 1840, the translator Isaac Galland noted several Sioux groups in or near Iowa, including Wahpekute, North Sisseton, South Sisseton, East Wahpetonwan, West Wahpetonwan, Yankton, and Mdewakantonwan.
Historic period
Caddoan-speaking tribes
These may be descendants of Late Prehistoric Central Plains Tradition cultures that lived in southwest Iowa, especially around the present-day Glenwood area. The Pawnee (Panis) are shown in southwest Iowa in a 1798 map, although they ranged primarily to the west.
Algonquian speakers
Tribes from the early historical period:
- Illinois Confederacy (including Moingona, Peoria, and Piankashaw)
- Kickapoo. A subgroup occupied the Upper Iowa River region in the late 1600s and early 1700s; they may have been called the "Mahouea".
- Mascouten
- Meskwaki (Fox)
- Sauk
The encroachment of Europeans and long-term conflict among Algonquian and Iroquoian tribes in the east pushed many eastern tribes into the Midwest. The Meskwaki have maintained a presence in Iowa, even after official removal in 1846. They established a recognized Settlement.
Iroquoian speakers
The Wyandot (Huron) were Iroquoian speakers from the early historical period. Again, the encroachment of Europeans and long-term conflict between Algonquian and Iroquoian tribes in the east pushed these tribes into the Midwest.
Moved into Iowa
These tribes moved to Iowa during the historic period:
- Potawatomi
- Ojibwe (Chippewa)
- Odawa (Ottawa)
The forced relocation of tribes in the 19th century from east of the Mississippi led to some eastern tribes living in and near Iowa. Their former territory had been around the Great Lakes. Potawatomi Chief Sauganash founded the village that eventually grew into Council Bluffs.
Others
Indian settlements and claimed lands in Iowa
Notable Indians who lived in Iowa
- Appanoose
- Antonine Barada (White Horse)
- Black Hawk
- Douglas Spotted Eagle
- Inkpaduta
- Keokuk
- Mahaska "White Cloud"
- Neapope
- Maria Pearson
- Quashquame
- John Raymond Rice
- Sauganash (Billy Caldwell)
- Sidominadota
- Taimah (Tama)
- Wabansi
- Wapello
- Watseka
- Ray Young Bear
- Notchininga "No Heart"
