Pekowi facts for kids
Pekowi was the name of one of the five main groups, or divisions, of the Shawnee people. The Shawnee are a Native American tribe. The Pekowi division was important during the 1700s.
The other four Shawnee divisions were the Chalahgawtha, Mekoche, Kispoko, and Hathawekela. These divisions worked together to form the Shawnee tribe, which was like a loose confederacy (a group of independent parts working together).
The names of all five Shawnee divisions were spelled in many different ways over time. You can still see variations of the name "Pekowi" in many place names across the United States. Some examples include Piqua, Pickawillany, Pickaway, and Pequea.
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Pekowi's Special Role
The Pekowi division had a special role in Shawnee traditions. Traditionally, the main spiritual and ceremonial leaders of the Shawnee people came from the Pekowi division. These leaders were chosen through the father's side of the family, which is called a patrilineal system.
Peter Chartier: A Pekowi Leader
From 1737 to about 1750, a man named Peter Chartier led the Pekowi division. He was born Pierre Chartier. Peter Chartier had both Pekowi and French parents. He was a fur trader, meaning he bought and sold animal furs.
Chartier became a recognized leader and eventually the chief of the Pekowi band. His mother's family was important, as he was the grandson of a chief named Straight Tail Meaurroway Opessa.
Moving West with Chartier
In 1745, Peter Chartier decided to work with the French. He led about 400 members of the Pekowi division away from Pennsylvania. They first moved to a place called Lower Shawneetown.
Later, they moved further west into what is now Kentucky. There, they started a new community called Eskippakithiki.
Fighting in the French and Indian War
Pekowi warriors, led by Peter Chartier, fought alongside the French during the French and Indian War. This war was a big conflict between the French and the English. In 1754, Pekowi warriors fought against the English at the Battle of Fort Necessity.
Pekowi Village and History
The Pekowi and Kispoko divisions of the Shawnee Tribe lived in a village called Peckuwe. This village was located near what is now Springfield, Ohio. Its exact location is 39°54.5′N 83°54.68′W / 39.9083°N 83.91133°W.
The village of Peckuwe was an important home for these Shawnee divisions until August 8, 1780. On that day, the Battle of Piqua took place during the American Revolutionary War. This battle led to the Shawnee leaving the village.
Today, the Piqua Sept of the Ohio Shawnee Tribe has placed a traditional cedar pole at this historic site. It helps remember their history and the importance of the Pekowi village. The pole is located "on the southern edge of the George Rogers Clark Historical Park, in the lowlands in front of the park's 'Hertzler House.'"
