When Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, he thought the region was part of the Indies in Asia.
Hence, he gave the indigenous tribes he met there the name Indios, which was later changed to “Indian”.
But some were of Asian descent and some from the Polynesian Islands.
Columbus was welcomed, and is known to have described the men as peaceful and gentle while all the time exuding a praiseworthy personality.
However, he wanted the men to adopt his way of life and brought a number of them to Spain, where one died upon arrival.
Many Europeans entered the “New World” soon after, often forcing their ways upon the tribes.
The Spaniards took many to Spain and sold them as slaves. Entire tribes were wiped out and villages destroyed.
It is believed that more than ten million Native Americans inhabited North America before the Europeans settled there.
After centuries of failed treaties and broken promises of land and war, only 1 per cent now account for the population.
However, had it not been for the generosity of the natives, the first Englishmen would have found it difficult to even survive after they landed in Plymouth in 1620.
Tension between the Indians and the Europeans continued to mount, tribal culture was devastated, cotton plantations worked by slaves began to replace agriculture, and tropical forests were destroyed along with vegetation and animals to make room for settlements.
Many tribes still live within the limitations of reservations. The tribe Columbus first stumbled upon has been extinct for hundreds of years.
Mohawk (Northeast)
The Mohawk is one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois confederation.
The tribe is also known as the “Keepers of the Eastern Door [or borders]” because they protected the Iroquois nation from invasions.
Today, descendants of the tribe reside mainly in present-day Canada and parts of New York, with many still living on reservations.
With a distinctive look, Mohawk warriors usually cut their hair in a way that left a strip running down the centre of the head.
One of the most notable leaders of the tribe was Joseph Brant, who successfully united different tribes from Upper New York and established the Indian Reservation on the Grand River, Canada.
Born in 1742 near present-day Ohio, Brant was also known by his Indian name Thayendanegea (which means “he places two bets”).
At the age of 13, he grew close to General Sir William Johnson, British superintendent for northern Indian affairs, and his brother-in-law. In 1775, he headed to England to meet King George III to seek help from the British to recover Mohawk land.
The following year, he led four of the six Iroquois nations in a rebellion against the imposing of settlements on the New York Frontier.
Soon, he became notorious for his atrocities. However, he was also known for his humanity.
Apache (Southwest)
Apache Indians were known and are remembered today as fierce warriors, powerful and brave.
Even though they were nomadic people, Arizona and northern Mexico were their main bases.
Apache Indians were divided into six sub-tribes and were feared by most white settlers because of their fierce war tactics.
Raids were carried out as part of a necessary plan that ensured their survival.
The tribe, largely family-oriented, maintained extended families, all of which were treated with respect. And when that was threatened, they could turn revengeful.
The most famous Apache leader was Geronimo, who, with his aggression and bravery, fought against deathly odds to achieve success in raids.
Until 1850, the tribe maintained peace with Mexico and nearby tribes.
However, once when returning from neighbouring towns where they had gone for trading purposes, many women, children and guards were killed — along with Geronimo’s mother, wife and children.
From that day, Geronimo became one of the most feared warriors, fighting Mexicans and white settlers for a decade hence.
Geronimo became a legend and tales of his activities spread.
His surrender came in 1886 and never seeing his homeland thereafter, he died in 1909 as a prisoner of war.
Cheyenne (Plains)
Cheyenne Indians are associated with the Great Plains area east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Mississippi River.
After a few clashes and competition with other tribes, the first Cheyenne territory was founded in what is now Colorado Springs and Denver.
An unsuccessful raid on Mexico left many warriors dead but they continued to fight white settlers, who had begun to push further west.
Unfortunately, they lost the land promised to them under the 1851 treaty, which angered them and made them rise in battle.
Raids on mining camps, stagecoaches and wagons increased at a steady pace.
The Colorado War (1864) is known as one of the bloodiest battles in history, in which more than 150 Native Americans, including women and children, were ruthlessly slaughtered in Sand Creek, despite their having already surrendered.
Tension between the tribes and settlers only continued to intensify.
Another attack on the Cheyenne took place in 1868 following orders from Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.
More than 100 Indian tribesmen were killed — along with a leader called Chief Black Kettle — even though they were peacefully settled on legal reservation land.
Custer and his troops were targeted and defeated during the battle of Little Bighorn by the Cheyenne, Lakota Sioux and Arapaho warriors.
To this day, the Little Bighorn Battle is considered one of the greatest victories of Native American over the whites.
List: Native American Tribes
- Northeast: Seneca, Cayuga, Onieda, Onandagas, Mohawk, Tuscaroras (Iroquois Nation). Mohican, Micmac, Pequot, Delaware, Algonquin, Mohegan, Shawnee, Huron, Fox.
- Southeast: Cherokee, Choctaw, Apalachee, Creek, Tuscarora, Seminole.
- Plains: Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Dakota Sioux, Pawnee, Crow, Arapahoe, Mandan, Siksika.
- Northwest: Nez Perce, Chinook, Nootka, Twana, Yaquina, Haida, Hupa, Yurot, Quinault, Shasta.
- Southwest: Apache, Mohave, Navajo, Laguna, Yuma, Hopi, Jemez, Tigua, Yavapai, Maricopa, Pueblos, Yuma.
Medicine man: Shaman
A Native American Shaman is a spiritual healer known in the western world as the “medicine man”.
However, they can be either male or female. They were known to heal diseases and various emotional and psychological problems.
They also worked to create and sustain harmony between man and nature in addition to striking a balance between the spirit and human worlds (which they were said to have the power to enter at will).
Dream interpretation and detection of omens were also among their strengths.
A ritual of storytelling, dance and song sent the Shaman into a trance, during which they were said to travel to the “spiritual world” and find the causes and cures for ailments.
Leaders: Famous Native Americans
- Red Cloud: He was a renowned Lakota leader who spent the major part of his life at war and successfully fought against the whites. In 1886, he defeated Lieutenant Colonel William Fetterman in Wyoming.
- Little Crow: As the son of a chief, he became the leader of his people after his father’s death. He negotiated the treaties of Traverse de Sioux and Mendota. However, the terms decided in both treaties were not followed. Following this breach of trust, the brave warrior led his men to war. He was killed by a settler in 1863 while picking wild raspberries with his son .
- Sitting Bull: He was the principal chief of the Dakota Sioux, who were driven out of their reservation in the Black Hills by miners. He is remembered for playing a major role in defeating General Custer in the battle of Little Little Bighorn. He was an influential figure and taught his people discretion when dealing with the white man. He also fought for his land and people, and gave his life trying to protect them.
- Lone Wolf: Part of the Kiowa Indians, he was among the nine chiefs to sign the treaty of Medicine Lodge in Kansas. However, it was yet another treaty left unsanctioned. Lone Wolf was arrested by General Custer after he gained a reputation for being “hostile”.
- Crazy Horse: He was a Lakota leader who fought to protect his people from losing their culture and identity. He led the Great Sioux War during the Battle of the Rosebud, attacking General Crook’s men, which led to the subsequent defeat of General Custer.
