Blackbird (Omaha leader) facts for kids
Chief Blackbird (whose Omaha name was Wash-ing-guh Sah-ba) was an important leader of the Omaha Native American tribe. He lived from about 1750 to 1800. He was known for controlling the trade routes in his area. These routes were used by traders from Spain, France, Britain, and later the United States.
Chief Blackbird: A Powerful Omaha Leader
Chief Blackbird was one of the first Plains Indian chiefs to trade with white explorers. He also openly questioned white people moving onto Native American lands. Blackbird used trade to help his people become successful. He also made sure that white explorers knew they were guests on Omaha land.
The Omaha Tribe's Strength
The Omaha people were not a tribe that often went to war. However, they were the first tribe on the Great Plains to become skilled at riding horses. This happened around 1770. While Chief Blackbird was alive, the Omaha were considered the most powerful Indian tribe on the Great Plains.
His Final Years and Legacy
Chief Blackbird died in 1800 during a smallpox epidemic. This was a serious illness that caused many people to die. In 1804, members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were shown Chief Blackbird's burial site. It is on a high hill next to the Missouri River in what is now Nebraska.
Blackbird Bend in western Iowa is named after Chief Blackbird.
