N is for Native Americans

Native Americans lived in Illinois before the Europeans came. Twelve tribes lived in Illinois including the Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Peoria, Tamaroa and the Michigamea tribes. They decided to join together to form a large group. They were known as the Illini group. They joined together for protection and  to share  resources. They lived off of the land. They built homes in the prairies and in the woods. They farmed, hunted and fished to survive. They lived in harmony until the Iroquois Indians came.

While the Illini Indians were a peaceful group, the Iroquois Indians were fierce fighters. They lived in New York. When the Europeans settled in New York, the Iroquois decided to fight for the Illini territory. They forced the Sauk, Fox, Potawatomi, Kickapoo and Miami tribes onto Illini lands. These tribes killed many of the Illini people. The Illini tribes broke up and moved in different directions. They became weaker and smaller.

Learn more about Native Americans in Illinois by clicking on the links below or by completing our online activities.
 

• The Illini Confederation: Lords of the Mississippi Valley: This site gives an overview and history of the Illini tribes.
• The Prairie Nations Page: This site gives an overview of the Native American tribes that lived on Illinois prairies.
• Black Hawk State Historic Site: This site tells about Black Hawk and the Sauk nation.
• Black Hawk: This site tells about Black Hawk, his life and the Sauk tribe.
• Illinois History: This site has information on the Native American tribes that lived in Illinois.
• The First Americans:  This site designed by middle school teachers with facts, pictures, and links about the cultures of the North American Indian tribes.
• American Indians and the Natural World: This is a cool site from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History on the belief systems, philosophies, and practical knowledge that guide Indian peoples' interactions with the natural world.
• Native American Shelters: At this site, you can read about and see pictures of the different structures Native Americans used for shelter.
• Potawatomi Indian Project - this great site done by 4th graders at Georgetown-Ridge Farm Elementary in Illinois has information on village life, the culture, the Trail of Death, and the Potawatomi today.
• Native American Influence on the Mississippi River Valley: This site created by fourth grade students at Parker Junior High, has information on the Sauk and Fox tribes, Cahokia and Kaskaskia.
• Illinois State Museum: This page describes how the Native American way of life was threatened by the French.
• Illinois Indians: This site gives a brief summary of the Native Americans that lived in Illinois.