Ottawa Indian Tribe – Legends of America
The Ottawa, also known as the Odawa, are a vibrant and historically significant Algonquian-speaking tribe. Their story is one of migration, adaptation, trade, and resilience, woven into the very fabric of North American history. From their ancestral lands along the East Coast to their settlements in the Great Lakes region and beyond, the Ottawa have left an indelible mark on the landscape and the cultural tapestry of the continent.
Origins and Meaning of the Name
The name "Ottawa" is derived from the Indian word "adawe," which translates to "traders." This moniker reflects the tribe’s long-standing reputation as skilled intertribal traders and barterers, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas between different communities. However, the Ottawa people refer to themselves as "Nishnaabe," a name that carries a deeper meaning – "original people." This self-designation speaks to their profound connection to the land and their enduring sense of identity.
Migration and Settlement
In ancient times, the Ottawa embarked on a significant migration from the East Coast, eventually settling in the region of the Great Lakes. They established a strong presence on Manitoulin Island, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. This area became their cherished homeland, a place where they forged a deep connection with the natural environment and developed their unique cultural traditions.
Imagine the shores of Lake Huron, where the Ottawa built their villages, their bark-covered wigwams nestled among the trees. Picture the canoes gliding across the water, laden with furs and other goods for trade. Envision the community gatherings, where stories were shared, ceremonies were performed, and the bonds of kinship were strengthened. This was the heartland of the Ottawa people, a place of sustenance, spirituality, and social cohesion.
The Council of Three Fires
The Ottawa were not alone in their corner of the Great Lakes region. They formed a lasting alliance with the Ojibwe and Potawatomi tribes, a union known as the Council of Three Fires. These three tribes shared similar languages, customs, and ways of life, creating a strong foundation for cooperation and mutual support. Together, they faced common challenges and defended their territories against rival groups, including the Iroquois Confederacy and the Dakota people.
The Council of Three Fires represented a powerful force in the Great Lakes region, a testament to the strength of unity and shared purpose. Their alliance shaped the political landscape of the area for centuries, influencing trade, warfare, and intertribal relations.
Encounters with Europeans
The year 1615 marked a turning point in the history of the Ottawa, as they encountered French explorer Samuel de Champlain near the mouth of the French River. Champlain’s observations provide a glimpse into the appearance and customs of the Ottawa people at that time. He noted their use of bows and arrows, leather shields, and clubs for warfare. He also described their practice of tattooing their bodies with intricate designs, painting their faces, and piercing their noses.
From the outset of the New France colony, the Ottawa played a vital role in the burgeoning fur trade. Their knowledge of the land, their hunting skills, and their established trading networks made them invaluable partners to the French. In 1701, the French colonists constructed Fort Detroit in Michigan and established a trading post there. This attracted many Ottawa to relocate from their traditional homeland, seeking new opportunities and strengthening their ties with the French.
As the fur trade expanded, the Ottawa began to spread south of the Great Lakes into the Midwest, establishing new settlements and expanding their sphere of influence. This period marked a time of both opportunity and challenge, as the Ottawa navigated the complexities of interacting with European powers while striving to maintain their cultural identity and autonomy.
Conflict and Resistance
The competition for resources in the fur trade led to conflicts between the Ottawa and other tribes. In the mid-17th century, they allied with other Algonquian tribes around the Great Lakes to resist the westward expansion of the Mohawk, who sought to control the lucrative trade routes. The introduction of firearms by the Europeans disrupted the traditional balance of power in the region, leading to devastating consequences for all the tribes involved.
In the mid-18th century, the Ottawa sided with their French trading partners against the British in the French and Indian War (1754-1763). They launched raids against Anglo-American colonists, seeking to protect their land and their way of life. However, the British emerged victorious in the war, and the balance of power shifted once again.
Immediately after the Treaty of Paris brought the war to a close, Ottawa Chief Pontiac rose to prominence as a leader of resistance. He organized a coalition of American Indian tribes to fight against the British, who now controlled the land previously held by the French. Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763-1766) was a bold attempt to drive the British out of the Great Lakes region and preserve the tribes’ autonomy.
The Ottawa played a central role in Pontiac’s Rebellion, attacking Fort Detroit and leading the charge against British forces. Although the rebellion ultimately failed to achieve its goals, it demonstrated the tribes’ determination to defend their land and their rights.
Displacement and Adaptation
Over the subsequent decades, the westward expansion of the colonists continued, leading to further conflict and displacement for the Ottawa. During the American Revolution, they allied with the British, hoping to stem the tide of American settlers encroaching on their territory.
Following the Revolutionary War, the Shawnee began to forge a confederacy to oppose U.S. occupation of the land ceded by the British in what became called the Northwest Territory. The Northwest Indian War ensued, with the Ottawa and other tribes fighting to protect their land from American encroachment. Despite their valiant efforts, they were ultimately defeated and forced to cede vast tracts of territory in the Treaty of Greenville in 1795.
In 1807, the Detroit Ottawa joined the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Wyandot people in signing the Treaty of Detroit under pressure from the United States. This agreement ceded much of southeastern Michigan and a section of northwest Ohio to the United States, further diminishing the Ottawa’s land base.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced removal of many Ottawa people from their ancestral lands. They were relocated west of the Mississippi River to Iowa and then to Kansas, enduring immense hardship and loss along the way. In 1867, the Ottawa sold their land in Kansas and moved into Indian Territory in Oklahoma, where they formed a reservation.
Resilience and Reinstatement
Despite the challenges they faced, the Ottawa people persevered. Many Ottawa, mainly Roman Catholic members, moved back to their original homeland in Ontario. In 1956, the U.S. government terminated the Oklahoma Ottawa, but they fought back and were reinstated as a federally recognized tribe in 1978.
Today, there are more than 10,000 Ottawa in the United States, with the majority residing in Michigan and others in Oklahoma. Several thousand more live in Ontario, Canada. The Ottawa continue to maintain their cultural traditions, celebrate their heritage, and advocate for their rights.
The Ottawa people’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptation, and cultural preservation. Despite facing immense challenges, they have maintained their identity and their connection to their ancestral lands. Their story serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of honoring the past while striving for a better future.
Recognized/Status Ottawa Governments
United States:
- Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan
- Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan
- Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan
- Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma
Canada:
- M’Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario
- Sheshegwaning First Nation, Ontario
- Walpole Island First Nation, on the unceded territory of Walpole Island, located between Ontario and Michigan
- Wiikwemkoong First Nation, located on the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Reserve, Ontario
- Zhiibaahaasing First Nation, Ontario