[3], The Illinois, like many Native American groups, sustained themselves through agriculture, hunting, and fishing. Mar. Women wore their hair in long braids. They used bows and arrows, spears, and clubs. 4, 2007, pp. Darton, William, 1755-1819. The Illini Indians wore moccasins on their feet. (2015, March). Accessed 27 December 2017. What other Native Americans did the Illini tribe interact with? This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Illinois-people, Native Indian Tribes - History of Illinois, Illinois - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Illinois - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). //-->. Hanson, Elisabeth M. East-Central Illinois: Exploring the Beginnings. Little is known of Illinois social organization, but it was probably similar to that of the Miami, with a civil chief elected from among a village council and a war chief chosen according to his ability to lead raids. The Illinis traded with all the other tribes of the Great Lakes region, and sometimes with tribes who lived further away. Other smaller affilliated groups were the Taporouas, the Moingwenas, the Chinkoa, the Omouahoa, the Coiraconetanon, and the Chepoussa, While some authors (e.g., Scott) consider the Wea (Ouiatenon) and Piankeshaw to be Illinois affilliates, in fact these two . Tribe Stakes Claim to Illinois Land., The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma v Rex Walden et. [8] However, with the arrival of the European missionaries in the late 1600s, Jesuit missions were established as a means to convert the Illinois to Christianity. Meet our Tribal Government. Go back to American Indian Cultures [6] The Illinois people eventually declined because of losses to infectious disease and war, mostly brought through the arrival of French colonists. Wikipedia, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History, John Quincy Adams Sixth President of the United States, James Monroe Fifth President of the United States, General Anthony Wayne Brave Officer of the American Revolution, James Madison 4th President of the United States, Mary Jane Simpson The Lady and the Mule. Peoria Indians in Oklahoma still make beautiful beadwork today. When Marquette journeyed down the Mississippi in 1673 he found the Peoria and Moingwena on the west side, about the mouth of Des Moines river. They used bows and arrows, spears, and clubs. The American Indians probably saw no more use in the areas marshy prairies than the early white settlers did. Fun Facts. google_ad_slot = "7815442998"; The Kaskaskia at this time were in somewhat intimate relation with the Peoria, since Gravier, who returned to their village in 1700, says he found them preparing to starts., and believed that if he could have arrived sooner the Kaskaskians would not thus have separated from the Peouaroua [Peoria] and other Illinois. By his persuasion they were induced to stop in south Illinois at the point to which their name was given. In 1885 the consolidated Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, and Piankashaw numbered but 149, and even these are much mixed with white blood. Outmatched, the Kickapoo and other tribes eventually signed a series of treaties that by 1819 gave all of their lands over to the Americans, and they left east-central Illinois. [10] Other than the internal conflict among the tribes themselves, the Illinois also faced threat from European forces that stirred conflict with them and started wars, some of in which the Illinois were recruited as allies. [29] However, the Illinois also participated in an extensive trading network. XXV, no. The Ho Chunks defeated them in one battle then ate the dead. However, in the past, they spoke the Miami-Illinois language. A few years later (1690-94) missionaries reported it to consist of 350 cabins, occupied by 8 tribes or bands. They became important allies of French fur traders and colonists who came to live among them, and they played a key role in the early history of what would later become the midwestern United States. Eventually they reclaimed some of their lands.[18]. Matthew Mayer was a member of the 2020-21 Baylor men's basketball team that won the 2021 NCAA Tournament. "On the Origins of the Name "Illinois"." Accessed 21 June 2019. [22] Maize was the primary crop, but the Illinois also planted beans, squash, pumpkins, and watermelons, and gathered wild foods in the forests. American Indian art,