Natchitoches people facts for kids

The Natchitoches (pronounced NACK-ih-tosh) are a Native American tribe from Louisiana. They were part of a larger group of Caddo-speaking tribes. These tribes formed three main groups, or confederacies. The Natchitoches were one of these groups, living near the Red River of the South in what is now Louisiana.

History

The Natchitoches tribe lived along the Red River in parts of northeastern Texas and northwestern Louisiana. They were important friends and partners with the French in the 1600s and 1700s. They also played a big role in helping the French during conflicts with the Natchez tribe, especially during the Natchez uprising.

In the early 1600s, some members of the Kadohadacho tribe joined the Natchitoches. Many Kadohadacho people had been killed or enslaved by the Chickasaw tribe. The Natchitoches and Kadohadacho settled near the Cane River. This area is where the city of Natchitoches, Louisiana is today, and the city is named after the tribe.

Name

Many people believe the name Natchitoches comes from the native word nashitosh. This word is thought to mean "paw-paw people," referring to a type of fruit tree. However, a Native American language expert named John R. Swanton suggested another idea. He thought the word might come from nacicit, which means "Place where the soil is red."

Member Tribes

The Natchitoches Confederacy was made up of several related tribes. These tribes lived in the same general area and shared similar cultures.

• Doustioni or Dotchetonne: These people were allies of the Kadohadacho tribe at first. Later, they moved closer to the Natchitoches on the Red River. They faced many challenges from diseases and wars. Because of this, they eventually joined with other Caddo tribes.
• Natchitoches (also called Lower Natchitoches): These were the main Natchitoches people. They lived near the French trading post of Natchitoches in Louisiana. There were also "Upper Natchitoches" who were part of the Kadohadacho Confederacy further north.
• Ouachita or Washita: Their name means "good hunting grounds." They lived along the Ouachita River and the Black River in northeastern Louisiana. Around 1720, they joined the Natchitoches Confederacy. They had lost many people due to diseases and wars.
• Yatasi or Lower Yatasi: Their name means "Those other people." They lived south of modern Shreveport. The French were welcomed by the Yatasi as friends against the Kadohadacho. In the early 1700s, the Chickasaw tribe attacked the Yatasi. Most of the Yatasi then joined the Natchitoches Confederacy. A smaller group, called the "Upper Yatasi," joined the Kadohadacho Confederacy. The Yatasi were important in trading with both the French and later the Spanish.

Today

Today, many descendants of the Natchitoches and other Caddo Confederacy tribes are part of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. This is a federally recognized tribe in the United States.

In 2017, the state of Louisiana officially recognized The Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana.

See also

In Spanish: Natchitoches (tribu) para niños