Summary of Native American Tribes – A
The tapestry of Native American history is rich and diverse, woven with the stories of countless tribes, each with its unique culture, language, and history. This summary focuses on tribes whose names begin with the letter "A," offering a glimpse into their past and present. It’s crucial to remember that these are brief overviews, and each tribe’s story is far more complex and nuanced than can be captured in a few paragraphs. Further exploration is encouraged to fully appreciate the depth and breadth of Native American heritage. Summary of Native American Tribes – A is an essential resource for anyone seeking a better understanding of the indigenous peoples of North America.
Ababco: This Eastern Algonquian tribe, or perhaps a sub-tribe, initially resided along the Choptank River in Maryland. First mentioned in Thomas Bacon’s Laws of Maryland in 1765, they were linked to the Hutsawap and Tequassimoe. While Bacon distinguished them as separate tribes, later historians considered them a division of the Choptank people. Notably, they were absent from John Smith’s accounts of his Chesapeake Bay explorations in the early 1600s. Sadly, by 1837, the Ababco had dwindled to a mere handful of individuals, their lineage interwoven with both Native American and African ancestry. The story of the Ababco is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many smaller tribes during the era of European colonization. This overview of Summary of Native American Tribes – A helps preserve their memory.
Abenaki (or Abnaki): The name Abenaki, pronounced OBB-uh-nah-kee, translates to "people of the dawn." More accurately described as a linguistic and geographic grouping rather than a unified tribe, the Abenaki occupied a vast homeland known as Ndakinna, meaning "our land." This territory encompassed much of northern New England, southern Quebec, and the southern Canadian Maritimes. The Abenaki were not a single political entity but rather a confederacy of related bands, each with its own distinct identity and territory. Their lives were deeply connected to the forests and waterways of their homeland, and they were skilled hunters, fishers, and gatherers. Summary of Native American Tribes – A includes them as a vital piece of the North American Indigenous story.
Aberginian: This collective term was used by early settlers of Massachusetts Bay to refer to the tribes residing to the north. In 1654, they were identified as consisting of the Massachusett, Wippanap, and Tarratine tribes. The name "Aberginian" may be a corruption of "Abnaki" or simply a misspelling of "aborigines." The Wippanap were considered to be Abenaki, and the Tarratine were either the same people or a part of them. This demonstrates the often imprecise and sometimes dismissive way in which European settlers categorized and understood the diverse Native American populations they encountered.
Abihka: A significant "mother town" within the Muscogee Creek Confederacy, the name Abihka is also used to refer to all Upper Creek, or Muscogee, people. The Abihka trace their origins to the powerful "Chiefdom of Coosa" that flourished in 16th-century Georgia. Their primary settlements were situated along the Coosa and Alabama Rivers in present-day Talladega County, Alabama. Following their displacement by the French in the 18th century, many Natchez people sought refuge and settled among the Abihka. After the forced removal to Indian Territory, Abihka refugees established a ceremonial stomp dance ground near Henryetta, Oklahoma, preserving their cultural traditions.
Abittibi: This little-known Algonquin band inhabited the shores of Abittibi Lake in Ontario, Canada. The first recorded mention of them appears in the Jesuit Relations of 1640. The Jesuit Relations of 1660 document that the Iroquois waged war upon them and two other tribes in the same region. French explorer Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Lhut included them in a list of nations residing north of Lake Superior in 1684. In 1736, their warrior population was estimated at 140, living alongside the Têtes de Boule. Their totems were the partridge and the eagle. The Canadian Indian Office reported their number as 450 in 1878, after which they are no longer officially mentioned.
Absentee Shawnee: This division of the Shawnee tribe originally occupied a vast territory in the eastern United States, encompassing Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and other neighboring states. These Algonquian-speaking people traversed lands stretching from Canada to Florida and from the Mississippi River to the eastern coast. Today, the Absentee Shawnee are one of three federally recognized Shawnee tribes located in Oklahoma. Their history reflects the widespread displacement and fragmentation experienced by many Native American tribes due to westward expansion.
Accohanoc: This tribe, part of the Powhatan Confederacy, formerly resided on the river of the same name in Accomac and Northampton Counties of Virginia. In 1608, they were reported to have 40 warriors. Over time, they intermixed with African Americans, and the remnants of the tribe were driven off during Nat Turner’s insurrection around 1833. The story of the Accohanoc illustrates the complex interactions and eventual assimilation that occurred between Native American, European, and African populations in colonial America.
Accominta/Agamenticus: Also known as the Agamenticus, the Accominta were a small tribe or band associated with the Pennacook Confederacy. They initially occupied a village of the same name near present-day York, Maine, which was sometimes referred to as "Boston" on early maps.
Achumawi: This division of the Shastan family once occupied the Pit River country of northeast California, excluding the Burney, Dixie, and Hat Creek Valleys, which were inhabited by the Atsugewi. Their principal village was located near Fallriver Mills in Shasta County. Despite their close relationship, the Achumawi and Atsugewi languages are remarkably different. The term "Achumawi" was sometimes used historically to refer to all the Pit River Indians.
Achiligonan: This tribe or band lived on the north shore of Lake Huron, near the mouth of the French River, between 1640 and 1670.
Acolapissa: Of Choctaw lineage, this band formerly resided on Lake Pontchartrain, along the coastal lagoons, and on the Mississippi River in Louisiana. Early French writers derived the name from the Choctaw kāhklō pisa, meaning "those who listen and see." The name seems to have been used by some early authors to include several tribes, such as the Bayogoula and Mugniasha. They reportedly had six or seven different villages but suffered severely from an epidemic around 1700. They later settled north of New Orleans, and the remnants of the tribe were absorbed into the Houma tribe.
Acquintanacsnak: This tribe or sub-tribe was encountered by Captain John Smith on the west bank of the Patuxent River in present-day St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
Acuera: This tribe was part of the Timucuan linguistic division of the Muscogean Family. They lived on the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River in Florida.
Adai: A tribe of the Caddo Confederacy, the Adai were first encountered in 1529 by Cabeza de Vaca.
Adirondack: See Algonquin. The term "Adirondack" was a derogatory name given by the Iroquois to the Algonquin, meaning "they eat trees."
Adena Culture: From around 1000 B.C. to about 1 A.D., the Adena people formed a group of well-organized societies living in present-day Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. The Adena culture is known for its elaborate burial mounds and distinctive artifacts, providing valuable insights into the pre-Columbian history of the Ohio River Valley.
Adshusheer: A tribe associated with the Eno and Shakori in North Carolina in 1701, they were thought to have been located near present-day Durham, North Carolina. The Adshusheer were likely absorbed by one of the tribes with which they were associated.
Agawam (or Agawom): This name frequently appears in southern New England, Long Island, New York, and refers to at least three villages or tribes in Massachusetts. The most important of these villages was located near present-day Ipswich, Massachusetts, but the site was sold by the chief in 1638. This band was part of the Pennacook Confederacy and was nearly extinct by 1658. However, as late as 1726, three families still lived near Wigwam Hill. A second tribe or band of that name had its chief town on Long Hill, near Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield was sold in 1635, and the Indian town existed in 1675. This tribe was commonly classed with the Pacomtuc. The third was about Wareham, Massachusetts, the site of which was sold in 1655. It was probably subject to the Wampanoag but joined the plot against the English in 1621.
Agua Caliente: The Agua Caliente people are a small Cahuilla division located at the San Luis Rey River headwaters in southern California.
Summary of Native American Tribes – A offers a glimpse into the vast and diverse history of indigenous peoples, and hopefully inspires readers to delve deeper into the stories of these fascinating cultures. The Summary of Native American Tribes – A serves as an important resource for understanding the history and culture of these tribes.