Close window to return to list Salinan History and geography: The Salinans, a Californian Indian language group, were named for the Salinas River, which flowed through their territory in the Monterey - San Louis Obispo area. Their native name was Hokan. In the late 1700s the Spaniards established two missions among these small tribes. After contact with Europeans, and especially after the gold rush, their numbers declined rapidly. Though they had once been counted in the thousands, by 1906 there were only 20 persons described as Salinans. The tribe is now practically extinct

Close window to return to list Salish Origin of name: Probably from a geographical name. Called "Flatheads" by many tribes (and white), maybe because of their hairstyle differing from their neighbour's. Contrary to popular belief, the Flatheads did not artificially flatten their foreheads. Called themselves: Salish. Associated tribes: Kootenay, with whom they share reservations today. Geography: Montana based, later also in Idaho. Their ancestral home was the bitterroot Valley in Montana, but they did not resist their removal to their present reservation in Montana, where they were absorbed by the related Kootenay tribe. From history: Gave name to the Salishan language group. Have a comparatively peaceful history, and mostly friendly contact with the Europeans, included the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1806. Have a reservations in their own homeland today. Individuals: Links: Salish Kootenay Of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Salish Kootenay About their Reservation and Activities.

Close window to return to list Santee Origin of name: Also called the Dakota Sioux Called themselves: Santee, or Dakota. Associated tribes: Consist of four bands: Mdewakantonwon, Wahpeton ("Among the Trees/Leaves"), Wahpekute and Sisseton ("From Fishing Grounds"). Geography: Living in South and North Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. History and Links: Ref. Sioux

Close window to return to list Sarcee Origin of name: Blackfeet name meaning "No-goods". Called themselves: "Tsuu-ti-na" (?) Associated tribes: Shared hunting ground with Blackfeet, Piegan, Cree a.o., but were mostly on a hostile basis. Geography: Northern parts of the great Plains. From history: They were originally part of a larger tribe further north, but moved south into buffalo land. They were great hunters and fierce warriors, but like many other tribes they were reduced in number by both deceases and hunger. Around 1877 the less than 300 Sarcee were part of a treaty that placed them on reservation in strange land, close to the Blackfeet. Due to buffalo shortage and too small official rations, they left the reservation a few years later and moved to the Calgary area, demanding food. Through negotiations they managed to get a new homeplace, and what they needed to survive. They still live near Calgary. Individuals: Chief Bull Head, who lead the Sarcee during the second half of 1800. Links:

Close window to return to list Sauk Origin of name: Also known as SAC. Called themselves: I have found two versions: Osakiwuk, "People of the Outlet", and Asakiwaki, "People of the Yellow Earth". Associated tribes: In close contact with the Fox. Geography: From history: Belong to the Algonquin language group. Originated along the St. Lawrence, but forced west by the Colonists and other tribes also on the move. Beginning in 1804 Black Hawk repeatedly refused agreements that ceded Native American land east of the Mississippi River. Keokuk tried to appoint himself chief and co-operated with the British, and weakened the Sauk by dividing the tribe. In the War of 1812 Black Hawk fought with the British against the United States. In 1823 most of the Sac and Fox left their land to settle west of the Mississippi. In April 1832 they returned to the disputed territory and the so-called Black Hawk War began, ending with Black Hawk's surrender in August. The Sac and Fox were then settled on a reservation near Fort Des Moines, Iowa, where Black Hawk died in 1838. Today they are united in Oklahoma with the Fox. Individuals: Black Hawk, "Makataimeshekiakiak". Links: Black Hawk and Sauk history

Close window to return to list Seminole Origin of name: May mean "Runaway", or Creek for "outlander". Called themselves: Associated tribes: One of the "Five civilized tribes" together with Chikasaw, Chocktaw, Creek and Cherokee. There are eight Seminole clans - Panther, Bear, Deer, Wind, Bigtown, Bird, Snake, and Otter. Geography: From history: The Seminole (ancestors) had contact with Europeans (Spaniard) as early as 1510. The Creek War in Alabama (1813) forced Native survivors southward where they joined other Florida natives. This established the Seminole nation. In the periode from 1816 to 1858 the Seminole fought three wars against the Europeans, each resulting in loss of land and people. Following the Cherokee "Trail of Tears" (1838) about 3,000 Seminoles were shipped to Oklahoma. Individuals: Osceola leading the S. in war in 1830's. Wild Cat (Coacoochee) and Alligator, leaders in the 2.d S.war. Links: Seminole a brief history Seminole of Oklahoma

Close window to return to list Seneca Origin of name: Meaning "Place of the Stone". Called themselves: Nun-de-waone, "Great Hill People" (People of the Mountain). Also "Keepers of the Western Door" in the Iroquois Confederacy. Associated tribes: One of the original "Iroquois Five Nations". Geography: The Senecas originally lived west of Lake Erie and along the Allegheny River. They now live in various places in the Northeast, including the Allegheny, Cattaraugus, and Tonawanda Reservations in New York State. In the 1950s the Army Corps of Engineers built the Kinzua Dam, which inundated a great part of the Allegheny Seneca Reservation, in spite of a treaty of 1794, signed by George Washington himself, guaranteeing the Indians this land inviolate and in perpetuity. History: Believing that the English would protect them against land-grabbing colonials, they joined the Mohawks under Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) to fight for the British during the American Revolution. Individuals: Cornplanter "Kiontwogky" Handsome Lake, the prophet, whose teachings still in use among the Iroquois. Links:

Close window to return to list Shasta History and geography: The Shasta were a group of small tribes in northern California near the Klamath River and in the Mount Shasta Valley. They were resident and lived in small villages of half-sunken plank houses. Their main food was fish, particularly salmon, which they netted, trapped, and speared. They preserved their fish for winter by drying and smoking it. Acorns, seeds, and roots augmented their diet; hunting played a comparatively small role, and their main weapon was the bow. The intrusion of gold miners and prospectors in 1855-1860 spelled the Shasta's doom, and they have now virtually vanished.

Close window to return to list Shawnee Origin of name: From the Algonquin word Shawun, "From the South". Also called Savannah by white men. Called themselves: Shawano, "Southener". Associated tribes: Belong to the Algonquin language group. They may be of the same tribal roots as the Delaware and Kickapoo, far back; and in preEuropean time they lived close. Geography: Homelands in the Ohio-West Virginia area. From history: The Shawano were scattered out of their homeland by the Iroquois in the mid-1600's. Different groups continued their fight against the Iroquois, some of them in alliance with the Illinois and Miami; some serving as "fenders" for the Cherokee, both north against the common enemy the Iroquois and south against the Catawba. As the Iroquois did not establish villages in the former Shawano land, these returned there during the next century, mostly to the Tennessee area. In the last part of 1600, hundreds of tribal wars were fought in the eastern states; nations were on the move and the white settlers supported some of them for a time - then changed their support. In the 1740's thousands of Shawano and Delaware were forced to move, this time into Pennsylvania, and later further west into Ohio.. They tried to stay neutral in the French-British War, but because of a tragic hanging-incident they turned against the British in 1755. More than 2000 British were killed during the next three years, until a peace treaty was signed. In 1763 the Shawano, Delaware and Mingo joined the Ottawa chief, Pontiac, in his rebellion, and were successful in their surprising attacks on several forts. The French had promised to support them, but failed to do so, and the rebellion collapsed before the British forces. Want more ? Read the Shawnee History (link below) ! Individuals: "Tecumseh", Shawnee leader The Shawnee Prophet "Tenskwatawa", His vision Blue Jacket, Cornstalk Links: Shawnee History by Lee Sultzman. Teachings of Tecumseh Shawnee United Tribe of Shawnee Indians

Close window to return to list Shoshone Origin of name: English misprononciation of their own name. Also called Great Snake. Called themselves: Shoshaknee, "People in grass huts". Associated tribes: Belong to Snake Nation Geography: From history: Belong to the Shoshonian languagegroup. Before recorded history, the Shoshone and Bannock originally roamed the areas of what is now the states of Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. In their search for food, they hunted, gathered, and fished for salmon. Horses were introduced in the early 1700s allowing some groups to travel great distances in pursuit of buffalo. Sacajawea, a Shoshone woman, is said to have led Lewis and Clark through the west to the Pacific Ocean. In reality she was brought on the journey by her husband, Charbonneau, who was hired as an interpretor and trapper. Individuals: "Washaki", Shoshone Chief Links: Shoshone - Bannock, History from 1878, and links Western Shoshone info, information and References Shoshone Chief Frank Temoke on the Rude Valley treaty of 1863. Shoshone Paiute Timeline from 1820.

Close window to return to list Sioux Origin of name: Sioux was a name given by the Ojibwe, based on Naddossioux, "Treacherous Snake". Was taken up by the European and almost adopted by the Dakota themselves. Today they prefer to use their own names again. Called themselves: Original name: 'Oceti Sakowin' or the seven council fires (this may have been the Teton, or Lakota, name). Mostly used name is Dakota, Lakota or Nakota depending on dialect differences among the many "Sioux" tribes and bands, meaning "Friend". Associated tribes: The Lakota (or Tetons) The Dakota (or Santee) The Nakota (or Yankton) Geography: There are several theories concerning the origin of the Sioux Nation. Many stories concerns the nation's birth in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Others tell that the people of the "Oceti Sakowin" migrated to that area from the woodlands of Minnesota. History: Dakota culture and history. Very comprehensive. Individuals: Red Cloud "Makhpiya-Luta" - Oglala Crazy Horse "Tashunca-uitco" Sitting Bull "Tatanka-Iyotanka" - Hunkpapa Big Foot ("Spotted Elk") - Lakota. Chief Gall - Hunkpapa. Chief Little Crow, "Tahetan Wakawa Mini" - Santee Black Elk The Miniconjou Lakota Kicking Bear, who brought news of the Ghost Dance to Sitting Bull at Standing Rock reservation, setting in motion a chain of tragic events that would end at Wounded Knee. Links: Lakota Wowapi Oti Kin Lakota Information. Wounded Knee Home page A Guide to the Sioux Nation with links to many of the tribes today. Rosebud Tribe Another Gall biography. *** More links under Teton.

Close window to return to list Siksika (Sisika) Origin of name: Called themselves: Sisika, "Black Moccasin". Associated tribes: Belong to the Blackfeet Nation. Geography: History: Individuals: Links:

Close window to return to list Slavey History and geography: The Slavey Indians (whose name, incidentally, has no connection to the English word "slave") lived inland in British Columbia, and are related culturally and linguistically to the Plains tribes to the south. Their Plateau region culture, as it is termed, represents a transition between the northernmost of the northwest Plains tribes and those of the subarctic. They still make their living as hunters, fishermen, and trappers in this economically marginal geographic area, too far north for much agricultural productivity.

Close window to return to list Snake Nation Origin of name: Mistakenly called the Great Snake Nation because the sign language for the Nation looked (to the white man) like a snake in the grass. Really the sign ment "people that live in grass woven huts". Called themselves: Associated tribes: A losely knitted confederation between Commanche, Shoshone, Piute, Bannock and Ute when needed to oppose common enemies. Geography: On the Plains. History: Individuals: Links:

Close window to return to list Snohomish History and geography: The Snohomish lived in tiny communities scattered across the Olympic Peninsula in what is now western Washington. Only remnants of the original tribes still exist.

Close window to return to list Snoqualmie History and geography: The Snoqualmie or Snoqualmu were a small Salishan tribe of the Pacific Coast. Salmon was their main food, canoeing their form of traveling. The men fished and hunted, the women wove baskets and made mats of cedar bark. They believed they were descended from mythical animals, such as the wolf. By 1854 the Snoqualmies had shrunk to a population of some 200. A handful of Snoqualmies finally went to the Tulalip Reservation in Washington to settle among their Snohomish cousins.

Close window to return to list Susquehannock (or Susquehannah) Origin of name: From Algonquin meaning "People of Muddy River". Has been known as Conestoga. Called themselves: Unknown. Associated tribes: Allies and trading partner to other Iroquian nations, like Erie, Huron and Neutrals. Geography: Lived in Maryland and parts of Pennsylvania and New York. From history: Belong to the Iroquian language group. They were probably a great nation in pre-European time in a region from Virginia to New York. Sworn enemies of the Iroquois and known as a heroic, warlike and aggressive people by the early settlers. In spite of numerous "wars" they were also active farmers. The Powhatans, who were often raided by them, called them cannibals and used this in getting white settler's support. In the early 1600's Susquehannock attacked the Delaware and made them "subjects", to take over the fur trade with the Dutch. When the English crushed the Powhatans in the 1640's, the Susquehannock just took over their hunting grounds, and fur trade with the English. Around 1650 the Iroquois attacked and crushed first the Huron, then Tionontati and Neutrals. Next on their list was the Susquehannock, by now without allies, as the Erie were attacked themselves. It took the Iroquois until 1675 to completely defeat them. From then on their fate was as for many other tribes, moving from location to location, all the time attacked by whites or other tribes. In 1700 there were less than 300 left, and by 1750 they had ceased to exist as a tribe. A few probably survived as members of other Iroquian bands. Individuals: Links:

Page updated Mar. 17. 2oo2