There were many Illinois tribes in history. The Illinois Indian reservations were full of many individuals that were diverse and yet similar to each other in so many ways. In fact, Illinois was actually occupied by two different sets of Native Americans, namely the Illinois Indians and the Miami tribes. By the time the Europeans have entered the land during the historic times, many Illinois Indian tribes were already traversing and developing the lands. The many Native American tribes in Illinois are referred to as Illinois, sometimes Illiniwek which has been shortened to Illini Indians.

Location of the Illinois Indian Tribes

The vast group of the Indian tribes in Illinois took dwelling in the Mississippi River valley. It was somehow inferred in some accounts that this strategic location of the Illinois Native Americans enabled them to establish a strong relationship with French traders and colonists. In fact, they were even able to live together for some time. Unfortunately, this relationship has also resulted in the changes in how they live.

Influence of the French to the Illinois Indian Tribes

The French have been in the Indian reservations in Illinois, giving them the position of really influencing the Native Americans in Illinois. The Illiniwek tribe had to adapt as the trading and colonizing activities brought new things to their community. As time went by, the power of the French over them grew. Along with the pressure from the British and Americans, the Native American reservations in Illinois were vacated by the Illini tribe and they relocated in the west side of the Indian Territory.

Specific Illinois Indian Tribes

With the vast size of the Illinois reservation, it is only logical that many tribes are residing in it. According to records, 12 tribes are confirmed to be Illinois Indians, the rest are of the Miami descent. Some of the original Illinois Native American tribes are the following:

Illinois Indian – Chickasaw Tribe

These people came into the Indian territory in the midst of the Great Removal. They were forcibly relocated. They originated from the Chickemicaws, the people who were part of the population who first set foot in the Mexican empire. They were into creating earthworks and were semi-nomadic. They spoke the Muskogean language. Their major traveling methods are canoes, which was logical since they lived beside a river. They were one of the tribes who sided with the British in order to fight the French people who tried to displace them. The tribe was one of the Five Civilized Tribes.

Illinois Indian Tribe – Ho-Chunk

This tribe was also referred to as Ho-Chunga or Winnebago. They spoke the Siouan language.Their houses were in the form of wickiups; a house that was shaped like a dome. Also, the tribe’s main output include corn, beans, and tobacco.They were more agriculturally inclined compared to the other tribes in Illinois. The tribe follows the method of creating clans following the line of the males of the family. With that, they have an upper and lower division, with these divisions being referred to as phratries. It was required that people marry from the other phratry.

Illinois Indian Tribe – Illinois Tribe

Illinois tribe was one of those named after their settlement. Again, they were also referred to as the Illini tribe.was said to have transformed in Peoria Tribe through the years after surviving different wars on or before the 1700s. One of the many Illini tribe facts is that they are fluent in the English language in the contemporary times. However, in the past, they spoke the Miami-Illinois language. The Illini Indian tribe just had a different accent compared to those belonging to the Miami tribes.

Illinois Indian Tribe – Miami Tribe

The original language of the people from this tribe was Algonquian. They somehow have the historic relationship with the Delaware, Ottawa, and Shawnee tribes. They are the other half of the population of Native Americans in Illinois. This tribe decided to side with the French people during the war, making the British their enemy. Unfortunately, with the loss of the French army, they decided to relocate to Indiana in order to steer clear of the enemy.One famous leader under the banner of the Miami tribe was Little Turtle.

Illinois Indian Tribe – Shawnee Tribe

This tribe utilizes the language Algonquian, same as the Miami tribe. They were somehow just migrants in the areas of the Native Americans. They were highly affected by the epidemic brought by the colonists during their time, especially the Spanish people around 16th century. This tribe somehow lived the same way as the Iroquois tribe in that they reside in longhouses. With this, they get to live with their huge family tree inside one establishment.

There are still many other Illinois Indian tribes. They can be considered migrants, such as the Delawares, Kickapoo, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sac and Fox, and Wyandot.

what does Illinois mean in native American, what does Illinois mean in French, where did Illinois get its name, Illini Indian tribe clothing, what does Illinois look like, what does Chicago mean, what does Indiana mean, Illinois native American tribe facts