Tetinchoua facts for kids

Tetinchoua was a powerful Miami chief who lived in the 1600s. A French traveler named Nicolas Perrot met him in Chicago in 1671. Perrot called Tetinchoua "the most powerful of Indian chiefs."

Tetinchoua showed his power by being able to lead about 5,000 warriors. He always had at least 40 guards protecting him, even while he slept. Although he didn't talk directly to many people, he was good at giving orders through his helpers. Father Claude Dablon also said that Tetinchoua, despite being a strong warrior, had a kind look and gentle ways.

Who Was Chief Tetinchoua?

Tetinchoua was born into the Miami Indian tribe. He was related to a chief who was already very powerful. In his tribe, leaders were born into their roles and earned respect this way. This was different from many Algonquian tribes in the north. In those tribes, people became leaders through their brave actions and achievements. Tetinchoua was also known as an autocratic ruler. This means he had complete and total power over his people.

Where Did the Miami Indians Live?

The Miami Indians first lived in Wisconsin. Over time, they moved to northeastern Indiana, northwestern Ohio, and southern Michigan. When Europeans first met them, the Miami were living near western Lake Michigan.

Stories passed down through generations say the Miami moved to these areas to avoid the Iroquois War parties in Ohio. Here's a timeline of their movements:

• In 1658, they settled northeast of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin.
• By 1667, many were in the Mississippi Valley of Wisconsin.
• In 1670, they were at the mouth of the Fox River in Wisconsin.
• By 1673, some had moved to St. Joseph River Village and others to Kalamazoo River Village in Michigan.
• From 1720 to 1763, they moved out of Michigan and into Ohio. They lived near the Miami River and the Scioto River village near Columbus.
• In 1831, many Miami people moved to Oklahoma, which was then called Indian Territory.

Miami History After European Contact

Before they were known as the Miamis, these native people were part of a larger group called the Algonquian. They were once called the Oumamik, which means "people of the peninsula." A European missionary, Father Gabriel Druillettes, heard about them in 1658 before meeting them.

In 1649, a French official named Bacqueville de La Potherie met the Miamis, along with the Mascouten and Kickapoos, near the Fox River. After this meeting, the Iroquois Wars began, causing the tribes to spread out. Some Miami groups went towards the Mississippi River, and others headed towards the Illinois River. The Indiana Miami, who had crossed the Mississippi, later had to return East because they met the Sioux tribe.

After successful contact, Father Claude Allouez began writing about the Miami Indian tribe. He arrived in Green Bay in 1669. He started a mission called St. Francis Xavier, also known as La Baye. He sent his findings to Claude Dablon.

In 1671, Nicolas Perrot visited the groups living near the Fox River. This area was a "massive multiethnic refugee village," meaning many different tribes lived there. Perrot was welcomed with grand ceremonies by Chief Tetinchoua and the three tribes in the Green Bay area.

From 1795 to 1871, French and American settlers moved onto Native American lands. The U.S. government eventually gained control over the native people in Indiana and Wisconsin. The Indiana Miami signed many treaties to sell their land. However, some high-ranking individuals were able to keep land for their families and avoid being forced to move. Today, the Indiana Miami continue to work to keep their Indian presence strong, especially in politics.

Impact on Native and French Relations

In 1671, Nicolas Perrot was highly honored by the French governor, Charles de Montmagny. Perrot had acted as a messenger between the French and the Native American groups. Chief Tetinchoua also welcomed Perrot in a military style. A group of Tetinchoua's men, decorated with feathers and weapons, greeted him.

Peace was made between the Potawatomi and the Miamis. Both groups faced each other and fired their guns, but only with powder, not bullets. The Potawatomi then did the same. The Algonquian tribes called the governor "Onontio," which means "high and majestic mountain." Every governor after Montmagny was called Onontio. This title made the governor like a father figure to the Algonquian tribes.

Tetinchoua was too sick to go with Perrot on a trip to Sault Ste. Marie. So, he gave the Potawatomi the power to act for him. The Potawatomi believed the trip would be bad for Tetinchoua's health. Tetinchoua sent his men to guide Perrot to one of the most important Miami towns. He then gave Perrot 50 men to guard him. To entertain Perrot, Tetinchoua arranged a "game of ball."

The French claimed all the land around the lakes where rivers flow into Lake Superior. The Potawatomi, along with Perrot and missionaries, were to meet Frenchmen at Lake Superior to expand their influence. When they arrived, the native people formed an alliance with these Frenchmen. In 1672, Father Claude Dablon, a missionary, tried to get people to change their religion. He met Tetinchoua and about 3,000 Miamis. They greeted him kindly, but he was not successful in converting them.

Modern Miami Life and Activism

Today, about 2,500 Miami Indians still live in Indiana. Most of them live in Elkhart, St. Joseph, Miami, Wabash, Grant, Huntington, and Allen Counties. These are the areas where the tribe originally came from. A smaller number of Indiana Miami live in Oklahoma, Baxter Springs, Kansas, and Missouri. Some are spread out in other states.

The Indiana Miami tribe does not receive money from the federal government. This is because they are not officially recognized as an Indian tribe. They rely on fundraising from their community. Many people in the community are still working hard to get their status as an Indian tribe restored.