Miami people

The Miami (Miami–Illinois: Myaamiaki) are an Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands. They spoke a language called Miami–Illinois, which belongs to the larger group of Algonquian languages. Historically, the Miami lived in areas that are now part of north-central Indiana, southwest Michigan, and western Ohio.

The Miami people included several smaller groups, such as the Piankeshaw, Wea, and others. Over time, the name "Miami" mainly came to refer to one of these groups called the Atchakangouen. By the year 1846, most of the Miami were forcefully displaced to a place known as Indian Territory. This area first became what we now call Kansas, and later part of the state of Oklahoma.

Today, there are two main groups that carry on the Miami tradition. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is recognized by the United States government. There is also the Miami Nation of Indiana, which is not recognized as a separate tribe. Both groups work to keep their culture and history alive.

Name

The name Miami comes from Myaamia (plural Myaamiaki), which is the name the Miami people use for themselves in their Algonquian language called Miami–Illinois. This name means "downstream people."

Some scholars thought the Miami called themselves Twightwee, a name that sounds like the call of their sacred bird, the sandhill crane. But newer research shows that Twightwee was actually a name given to them by the Delaware language speakers. Some Miami also refer to themselves as Mihtohseeniaki, meaning "the people." They still use this name today.

History

Precontact

The early Miami people were part of the Fisher tradition of Mississippian culture. These societies farmed maize, lived in villages led by chiefs, traded over long distances, and built settlements in specific patterns.

The Miami lived in areas now known as north-central Indiana, southwest Michigan, and western Ohio. They hunted, like other Mississippian peoples, and their history goes back to times before Europeans arrived.

European contact

When French missionaries first met the Miami in the mid-1600s, they lived around the western shores of Lake Michigan. The Miami had moved there a few generations earlier from areas now known as northern Indiana, southern Michigan, and northwestern Ohio. They moved to escape pressure from Iroquois warriors who wanted control over furs in the Ohio Valley.

Over time, the Miami returned to their homeland in Indiana and Ohio. By the 1700s, they had several main groups or bands, including the Atchakangouen, Kilatika, Mengakonkia, Pepikokia, Piankeshaw, and Wea.

In 1696, a French leader named the Comte de Frontenac appointed Jean Baptiste Bissot as commander of French outposts. He became friends with the Miami and set up a trading post and fort at Kekionga, now Fort Wayne, Indiana. This became an important Miami center.

United States and Tribal Divide

The Miami had mixed relations with the United States. Some groups supported the American colonists during the American Revolution, while others opposed them. The Miami around Ouiatenon were often hostile to the United States, except when attacked.

As American settlers moved into areas the Miami considered their land, conflicts arose. The Miami invited other tribes, like the Delaware and Shawnee, to join them at Kekionga. Together, they formed a group called the Western Confederacy to resist American expansion.

The United States tried to end the conflict by making treaties that took away Miami land for settlers. In 1794, after a major battle, the Treaty of Greenville was signed. The Miami agreed to give up much of what is now Ohio and parts of Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois in exchange for payments.

Later, more land was taken through treaties. By the mid-1800s, many Miami were forced to move to Kansas and then to Oklahoma. Some Miami families were allowed to stay in Indiana because they had bought private property.

Today, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is the officially recognized tribal government. However, many Miami in Indiana still see themselves as a separate group and seek state recognition.

Places named for the Miami

Many places are named after the Miami people. However, Miami, Florida is not named for this tribe. It is named after the Miami River in Florida, which was named after the unrelated Mayaimi people.

Notable Miami people

The Miami people have had many important leaders and members throughout history. Some well-known Miami chiefs include Memeskia, also called Old Briton, who lived around 1695–1752, and Francis Godfroy, known as Palawonza, who lived from 1788–1840. Other notable leaders were Tetinchoua, a powerful chief from the 1600s, Little Turtle, a war chief from the 1700s, and Pacanne, another chief from the same time period.

Later leaders included Francis La Fontaine, who was the last principal chief of the united Miami tribe and lived from 1810–1847, and Jean Baptiste de Richardville, a chief from the 1800s. The tribe also counted adopted members like Frances Slocum, known as Maconaquah, who lived from 1773–1847, and William Wells, called Apekonit. More recently, Daryl Baldwin, known as Kinwalaniihsia, received a special award in 2016 for his important work in keeping the Miami language and culture alive today.