Sac and Fox Nation facts for kids
Tribal flag
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3,794 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (Oklahoma) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Sauk | |
| Religion | |
| Drum Society, Native American Church, and Christianity |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Sac, Meskwaki, Kickapoo, and other Algonquian peoples |
The Sac and Fox Nation is the largest of three officially recognized groups of Sauk and Meskwaki (Fox) Native American people. They originally lived near Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. In the 1870s, they were forced to move to Oklahoma. Most members of this nation are Sauk. Their special land in Oklahoma is called the Sac and Fox Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area (OTSA).
There are two other Sac and Fox tribes. These are the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. The Sac and Fox tribes have always been close friends. They still are today. They speak very similar Algonquian languages. Some people think these are two different ways of speaking the same language. The names Thakiwaki and Sa ki wa ki mean "people coming forth from the water."
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History of the Sac and Fox Nation
The Sac, or Thakiwaki, lived near Lake Huron and Lake Michigan when Europeans first arrived. In 1832, they fought against the United States in the Black Hawk War. Their brave leader, Black Hawk, is still seen as a hero today. After the war, the tribe was forced to move many times. They moved from Illinois to Iowa, then to Kansas, and finally to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in the 1870s.
Land and Changes in the Late 1800s
Their current lands were once part of a much larger area. This was the Sac and Fox Reservation, set up by the United States from 1867 to 1891. It was about 480,000 acres (1,942 square kilometers). This land was meant for the tribes. However, in the late 1800s, the U.S. government changed its plans.
Under a law called the Dawes Act of 1887, tribal lands were split up. Each family was given about 160 acres. The idea was to make Native Americans farm like European-Americans. But this law did not understand Native American culture. Also, in many dry areas, 160 acres was not enough land to farm successfully.
Their land was divided up by an agreement on June 12, 1890. This was done with the Cherokee Commission. Any land left over after families got their shares was called "surplus." The U.S. government then sold this extra land. Most of it was sold to non-Native people. Another law, the Curtis Act of 1898, even broke up the tribe's government.
The tribe was once known as the Sac and Fox Tribe of Indians of the Mississippi River. They used to live in large parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri. But they slowly gave up these lands to the U.S. through treaties. This happened as more European-Americans moved into their areas. By a treaty on October 11, 1842, they were moved from the Midwest to a reservation in Kansas. Jeffrey Deroine, a skilled diplomat who was formerly enslaved, helped as an interpreter for this treaty.
By 1889, 519 members of the tribe were in Indian Territory. This is now central Oklahoma. On June 10, 1890, they gave up these lands to the government.
Modern Times and Tribal Rights
Since the late 1900s, the tribe has worked hard to protect its rights. In 1983, the tribal government started its own system. They began registering vehicles and giving out license plates to tribal members. The state of Oklahoma tried to charge fees for these. But the tribe went to court. On May 17, 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with the tribe. They said the tribe had the right to do this. This case was called Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Sac & Fox Nation. Other tribes have since started their own vehicle registration systems. The Sac and Fox Nation celebrates May 17 as "Victory Day."
Tribal leaders have also focused on how the government manages their land. They have looked into environmental problems from oil production on their land. On May 16, 1989, tribal leaders spoke to the U.S. Senate. They talked about how the government managed their water and natural resources. They explained that oil companies had damaged their land. They also said the tribal drinking water was ruined by oil drilling methods. These leaders also spoke about how the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) had not done its job. They said the BIA had not managed the tribe's land and money well. This important talk showed how badly the BIA had handled things.
This was one of many lawsuits by tribes against the government. These lawsuits were about how money from tribal lands was managed. Because of these cases, the BIA has made big changes. The U.S. government and the Sac and Fox Nation have reached agreements. These agreements have given the tribe money to make up for some of the damage.
Treaties with the United States
The Sauk and Foxes signed many treaties with the United States government. These agreements often involved other tribes. They usually led to the Sauk and Foxes moving to new lands.
- The Treaty of St. Louis on November 3, 1804, gave away large parts of the Sauk and Foxes' land to the United States.
- The Treaty at Fort Armstrong on September 3, 1822, set up a trading post. Here, tribal members could get supplies at fair prices.
- The Treaty of Sauk and Fox Agency, Iowa Territory, on October 11, 1842, was very important. In this treaty, the Sauk and Foxes gave up all their lands west of the Mississippi River.
- The Treaty of Sauk and Fox of the Mississippi, Washington, DC, on February 18, 1867, was another key agreement.
These treaties show how the tribe's land changed over time. They also show how the tribe was moved from their original homes.
Notable Members of the Sac and Fox Nation
- Saginaw Grant (1936–2021): An actor known for his roles in Breaking Bad and The Lone Ranger.
- Jim Thorpe (1888–1953): A famous athlete. He won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.
