Summary of Native American Tribes – S

This article delves into the histories, locations, and cultural characteristics of various Native American tribes whose names begin with the letter "S." From the Algonquian-speaking peoples of the Great Lakes region to the Salishan tribes of the Pacific Northwest and the Siouan groups of the Great Plains, this summary offers a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of Indigenous nations that have shaped the landscape and history of North America. It is a summary of Native American Tribes – S.

Sac (Sauk):

The Sac, also known as the Sauk, were an Algonquian tribe with origins traced to the Michigan peninsula. They shared this region with other tribes like the Potawatomi, Mascouten, and Fox. The name "Osakiwug," meaning "people of the yellow earth," reflects a possible connection to the lands they inhabited. Over time, the Sac and Fox tribes merged, forming a strong alliance and sharing a similar Algonquian language. Today, the Sac and Fox Nation exists in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, continuing their legacy as a unified people. A brief look at the Sac tribe has been discussed in this summary of Native American Tribes – S.

Sac and Fox:

The Sac and Fox tribes, while historically separate, shared deep cultural and linguistic ties, both being Algonquian peoples from the Michigan peninsula. Their close alliance eventually led to their formal union. The Sac and Fox Nation now resides in multiple states, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability throughout history.

Saconnet:

The Saconnet were a smaller tribe situated near Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island. Their affiliations were with either the Wampanoag or Narraganset tribes. During King Philip’s War in 1675, under the leadership of their woman chief, Ashawonks, they allied with the English. Later, their lands were acquired by white settlers. The tribe’s population dwindled from approximately 400 in 1700 to a mere dozen by 1803 due to epidemics and displacement.

Sahehwamish:

The Sahehwamish belonged to the coastal division of the Salishan linguistic stock and inhabited the innermost inlets of Puget Sound. Their population declined from an estimated 1,200 in 1780 to around 780 by 1907, primarily due to disease and displacement.

Salinan:

The Salinan people were a linguistic group residing along the Salinas River in California’s San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties. The establishment of missions in the late 1700s had a devastating impact, leading to a drastic population decline. By the early 1900s, only about 20 Salinan people remained. While Salinan descendants continue to live in California, they lack federal recognition as a unified tribe.

Salish/Flathead:

This large and influential division of the Salishan family inhabited a significant portion of western Montana, centered around Flathead Lake and valley. In 1855, through the Treaty of Hell Gate, the Salish, along with the Pend d’Oreille and Kootenai tribes, ceded their lands in Montana and Idaho to the United States. Today, they constitute part of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, residing on the 1.317 million-acre Flathead Reservation in northwest Montana. The summary of Native American Tribes – S presents information about the Salish/Flathead.

Saluda:

The Saluda were a small tribe initially located on the Saluda River in South Carolina. They migrated to Pennsylvania in the early 18th century and may have had connections to the Shawnee tribe.

Samish:

The Samish were a Salishan division originally located on a river and bay of the same name in Washington. They were later relocated to the Lummi Reservation in western Whatcom County, Washington.

Sanpoil:

The Sanpoil were a group of Salishan Indians who lived along the Sans Poil and Columbia Rivers below Big Bend, Washington. They comprised a band of Spokane and a band of the Okanagan tribes. Their population fluctuated, with reports of 324 in 1905 on the Colville Reservation, followed by a reported decline to 178 in 1909. Notably, no treaty was ever made with these Indians for their lands when the government took possession of their territory.

Santiam:

The Santiam were a Kalapuyan tribe that once resided on the river of the same name, a tributary of the Willamette River in Oregon. They were relocated to the Grande Ronde Reservation, where their numbers dwindled from about 23 in 1906 to only five in 1909, as many received land patents and became citizens.

Saponi/Sappony:

The Saponi, also known as Sappony, are an eastern Siouan tribe with a long history in North Carolina and Virginia. Their language was closely related to that of the Tutelo tribe. Currently, three groups of Saponi are recognized by the state of North Carolina.

Saturiwa:

The Saturiwa were a Timucuan tribe in Florida who occupied both sides of the lower St. John River northward to the Satilla River in Georgia in 1565. They engaged in conflicts with the Timucua and later with the Spaniards. They initially welcomed the French during their brief presence in the area. Their chief reportedly ruled over 30 sub-chiefs. Franciscan missionaries Christianized the Indians of this region by the end of the 16th century.

Satsop:

The Satsop were a Salish division residing on the Satsop River in Washington and are typically classified under the collective name of Lower Chehalis.

Saturiwa:

The Saturiwa were connected to the Utina tribe and lived near the mouth of the St. Johns River in Florida and possibly on Cumberland Island. Their chief ruled over 30 subchiefs, representing villages belonging to allied tribes or the Saturiwa tribe itself. They interacted with French explorers and initially maintained friendly relations until the Spanish took control. They later assisted Dominique De Gourgues in avenging the destruction of his countrymen. The tribe eventually submitted to Spain and was among the first to be missionized. Like other Florida Indians, they suffered from diseases in the 17th century and were involved in the Timucua Rebellion of 1656.

Sawokli:

The Sawokli belonged to the Muscogean linguistic stock and formerly lived on the Chattahoochee River in Alabama. A Spanish mission was established among them in 1675. Due to hostility from surrounding tribes, the Christianized Sawokli withdrew to the junction of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. They remained in the region until displaced by hostile Indians in the early 18th century. They split into several settlements and followed the fortunes of the Lower Creek Indians. In 1750, they numbered about 50 men in four settlements, and by 1832, their population was around 187.

Seechelt:

The Seechelt were a Salish tribe residing on the Jervis and Seechelt inlets of Nelson Island and the southern part of Texada Island in British Columbia, Canada. Their distinct dialect linked them to the Lillooet. By the early 1900s, they lived in one town called Chatelech, around a mission founded by Bishop Dnrieu, who converted them to Roman Catholicism. Their population in 1902 was approximately 300.

Sekani:

The Sekani were a group of Athapascan tribes inhabiting the valleys of the upper Peace River and its tributaries and on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. Their name means "dwellers on the rocks." Once a unified tribe, their nomadic lifestyle led to separation into smaller, distinct groups. Despite their smaller stature, they were known for their ferocity. Their isolation and reputation for savagery instilled fear in other tribes. They lived in brush huts and subsisted on wild game, considering fishing an unmanly pursuit. They lacked formal chiefs, relying on the counsel of the oldest and most influential members of each band. In 1893, they were divided into nine tribes, each composed of several bands.

Semiahmoo:

The Semiahmoo were a Salishan tribe who lived around Semiahmoo Bay in northwest Washington and southwest British Columbia. In 1843, they numbered about 300, and in 1909, 38 members of the tribe remained on the Canadian side.

Seminole:

The Seminole, one of the Five Civilized Tribes, were originally part of the Creek Confederation. They comprised emigrants from the Lower Creek towns who moved into Florida after the destruction of the Apalachee and other Native American tribes. Initially classified with the Lower Creek, they became known by their present name around 1775.

Seneca:

The Seneca tribe was divided into two distinct groups: the Northeastern Seneca Indians from New York and the Seneca Indians from Ohio.

Senijextee:

The Senijextee were a Salishan tribe formerly residing on both sides of the Columbia River from Kettle Falls to the Canadian boundary. They also occupied the Valley of Kettle River, Kootenay River, and the region of the Arrow Lakes in British Columbia. In 1909, 342 Senijextee lived in the United States on the Colville Reservation in Washington.

Serrano:

The Serrano were a Shoshonean division primarily located in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California. Their name, derived from Spanish, means "highlander" or "mountaineer." Their territory extended north of Los Angeles, down the Mohave River, and into the San Bernardino Valley. They were described as living in large communal houses, crafting baskets and flint knives, and engaging in trade with coastal natives. The Serrano were brought under the San Gabriel and San Fernando Missions. In 1885, 390 Serrano were counted under the Mission agencies, but they were not counted separately afterward.

Sewee:

The Sewee were a small tribe formerly living in eastern South Carolina, occupying the lower part of the Santee River and the coast westward to Ashley River. Their language is unknown, but based on alliances and eventual incorporation with the Catawba, they are believed to have been Siouan. The tribe was diminished by alcohol and smallpox. In 1701, they attempted to send a fleet of canoes to England for trade, but a storm resulted in significant loss of life and enslavement of survivors. By 1715, only one village of 57 souls remained. The Yamasee War likely led to their absorption into the Catawba tribe.

Shakori:

The Shakori were a small tribe associated with the Eno and Adshusheer in North Carolina in the 17th century. Their physical characteristics suggest they may not have been of Siouan stock, although they were allied with Siouan tribes. They were frequently associated with the Eno, suggesting linguistic ties. They are first mentioned in 1654 and later encountered by explorer John Lederer in 1672. By 1701, the Shakori and Eno had confederated and brought the Adshusheer tribe into their alliance.

Shasta:

The Shasta Indians were a group of small tribes or divisions forming the Shastan linguistic family of northern California and southwestern Oregon. Their language was of the Hokan family. The Shasta called themselves "Kahosadi" or "plain speakers." Many of their descendants live on reservations in California and Oregon.

Shawnee:

The Shawnee were an Algonquian tribe originally from modern-day Ohio. They were a far-ranging people with villages from New York to Georgia. Their name translates to "Southerners." During the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, the Shawnee sided with the French and British, respectively. Most Shawnee today live in Oklahoma, but the Shawnee Nation United Remnant Band has been officially recognized in Ohio. This has been a short summary of Native American Tribes – S.

Shoshone:

The Shoshone, one of the Great Basin tribes, occupied a vast area from Oregon to southern Colorado. They were hunter-gatherers who also domesticated horses for buffalo hunts. They were closely related to the Ute, Paiute, Gosiute, and Bannock tribes, sharing land and intermarrying.

Shinnecock:

The Shinnecock were an Algonquian tribe primarily living on Long Island, New York. Many joined the Brotherton Indians in New York. They were provided a reservation early on and are among the oldest self-governing tribes in the United States, recognized by the state for over 200 years. They received federal recognition in 2005 and have about 1,300 members, many of whom live on a 1,200-acre reservation.

Shuswap:

Also known as Secwepemc, the Shuswap were the most important Salishan tribe of British Columbia, Canada. They held most of the territory between the Columbia and Fraser Rivers. By the early 1900s, they lived on small village reservations and numbered about 2,100 people. The Shuswap Nation still exists today, occupying much of the land in the interior of British Columbia.

Siletz:

The Siletz were a Salishan tribe who occupied the Siletz River in northwest Oregon, ranging from northern California to southwest Washington. They were the southernmost Salishan tribe on the coast. The name was later extended to all tribes on the Siletz Reservation in Oregon. Today, they are the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, a federally recognized confederation of 27 Native American tribal bands with about 4,500 enrolled members.

Sinagua:

The Sinagua were a pre-Columbian cultural group occupying an area in central Arizona between Flagstaff and Phoenix. They existed from approximately 500 A.D. to 1425 A.D. Early sites consisted of pit houses, while later structures resembled pueblo architecture. They were hunter-gatherers and early farmers. The last known record of Sinagua occupation was at Montezuma Castle National Monument around 1425 AD.

Sinkiuse-Columbia:

Meaning "between people," they belonged to the interior division of the Salishan linguistic people who lived between the Columbia and the Grand Coulee Rivers in Washington. Their nearest relatives were the Wenatchi and Methow. They were located at the Columbia Reservation and later placed on the Colville Indian Reservation.

Sioux:

The Sioux are part of a band of seven tribes that speak three different dialects: Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota. The Lakota occupy lands in North and South Dakota. The Dakota live mainly in Minnesota and Nebraska, while the Nakota reside in South Dakota or Canada. From about 20,000 in the mid-18th century, their population has increased to about 70,000 today.

Sissipahaw:

The Sissipahaw were a former small tribe of North Carolina, presumably Siouan. Their former village, known as Haw Old Fields, was located on Haw River in Alamance County, North Carolina. They joined the Yamasee against the English in the war of 1715.

Siuslaw:

The Siuslaw were a small Yakonan tribe formerly living on and near the Siuslaw River in western Oregon. By the early 1900s, the tribe was nearly extinct, with its few survivors living on the Siletz Reservation.

Skaddal:

The Skaddal were a small tribe numbering 200 persons, found by Lewis and Clark in 1806 on the Klickitat River in present-day Washington. They subsisted by hunting deer and elk and traded with other tribes for fish. They were classed as a division of the Pisquow.

Skagit:

The Skagit were a band of Salish who lived on the Salish River in Washington, particularly about its mouth and on the middle portion of Whidbey Island. They numbered about 300 in the mid-1800s and moved on to the Swinomish Reservation.

Skidi:

The Skidi were a tribe of the Pawnee Confederacy, sometimes called Wolf Pawnee. Their language differed slightly from that of other Pawnee tribes. According to tradition, the Skidi and Arikara were once united. Their villages included supernatural underground dwellings of mythic animals. Part of the Skidi tribe moved southward in about 1770, approaching the Texas border.

Skilloot:

The Skilloot were a Chinookan tribe found by Lewis and Clark in 1806, residing on both sides of the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon, numbering about 2,500 people. They were among the tribes almost exterminated by the fever epidemic of 1823.

Snake:

The name "Snake" was applied to many different bodies of Shoshonean Indians, most persistently to those of eastern Oregon.

Snohomish:

The Snohomish were a Salish tribe formerly living on the south end of Whidbey Island, Puget Sound, and the mainland opposite the mouth of Snohomish River in Washington. Their population was 350 in 1850. What was left of them moved to the Tulalip Reservation, Washington.

Snoqualmie:

Belonging to the Nisqually branch of the coastal division of the Salishan linguistic family, they lived on the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers in Washington. They were reported to have numbered 225 in 1857.

Soacatino:

Also called Xacatin, they were a tribe met by the companions of Hernando de Soto in northwestern Louisiana or northeastern Texas. They were probably Caddo.

Sobaipuri:

The Sobaipuri were a Piman tribe formerly inhabiting the main and tributary valleys of the San Pedro and Santa Cruz Rivers, as well as the Gila River in southern Arizona. Missions were established among them by the Spaniards.

Spokane:

The Spokane are a name applied to several small bands of Salishan who lived on and near the Spokane River in northeast Washington.

Squaxon:

Belonging to the Nisqually branch of the coast division of the Salishan linguistic family, they lived on the North Bay of Puget Sound.

Stockbridge:

The Stockbridge are a tribe of the Mohican Confederacy that was first known under the name Housatonic. They occupied part of the valley of the Housatonic River in Massachusetts. They later merged with the Munsee Indians to become the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians.

Stehtsasamish:

A division of the Salishan people who lived on Budds Inlet near the present site of Olympia, Washington.

Stillaquamish:

A Salishan people who lived on the Stillaguamish River in northwest Washington. They were a branch of, or closely related to, the Snohomish and moved to the Tulalip Reservation.

Stony:

See Assiniboine.

Sugeree:

A small tribe, supposed to have been Siouan, that lived near the Waxhaw in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and York County, South Carolina.

Suislaw:

Belonging to the Siuslawan division of the Yakonan linguistic stock, they lived on and near the Siuslaw River in Oregon.

Suquamish:

A Salishan division who lived on the west side of Puget Sound, Washington. Seattle, who gave his name to the city, was chief of this tribe and the Duwamish in 1853.

Surruque:

They were probably of the Timucuan linguistic group and lived near Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Susquehannock/Conestoga:

The tribe occupied the Susquehanna River and its branches from the north end of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland across Pennsylvania into southern New York.

Sutaio:

An Algonquian tribe that lived along the James River in South Dakota in the 18th century. They were at war with the Cheyenne, their eastern neighbors to whom they were closely related linguistically.

Swallah/Swalash:

A band of Salish Indians who lived on Orcas Island in northwest Washington. They were later removed to the Lummi Reservation.

Swinomish:

A Salish tribe that lived on the south end of Whidbey Island, Puget Sound, and on the mainland opposite the mouth of Snohomish River, Washington. They were removed to the Tulalip Reservation, where they lived with other broken tribes.