It Is Estimated That More Than a Dozen of the Iroquoian-Speaking Tribes That Lived Along the St

It is estimated that more than a dozen of the Iroquoian-speaking tribes that lived along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes region, prior to the arrival of the French in 1534, referred to themselves collectively as Wendat meaning “villagers.” We are one of these tribes. However, if someone is referencing the Wyandotte as being Huron, they should not classify us as such. The name ‘Huron’ originates from the early French explorers because of a hairstyle called the roach. It was a derogatory name derived from their word ‘hure’ meaning rough or ruffian. The roach was worn atop a mohawk or cleanly shaven head. It was made from thick deer or moose hair and often porcupine quills were also inserted into the bristly cap. When worn by many of the Wendat men, it resembled the thick, bristly hair on the back of wild boars that roamed Europe. Many people assume that the name Huron references a single tribe. The Huron were actually a confederacy of five of the Iroquoian- speaking tribes. The French had a special relationship with the Huron Confederacy, because they controlled a trading network that spanned much of the Great Lakes region and well beyond. This yielded the Huron great power and influence which the French desired in their expansion throughout the Great Lakes region. The founder and oldest nation of the Huron Confederacy was the Attignawantan, who according to oral tradition formed the confederacy around 1400 with the Attingueenongnahac. They expanded, adopting three other tribes into the confederacy; they being Arendaronon, Tahontaenrat, and the Ataronchronon were lastly admitted around 1644. The collective name by which the individual tribes of the Huron Confederacy called themselves was also Wendat. The same name used by many of the other Iroquoian-speaking tribes; hence, the French’s need to give a special and unique name to this confederacy – the Huron.

The Attignawantan was the most prestigious, populous and powerful of the five tribes. The Wyandotte are directly related to the Huron through the Attignawantan. The Wyandotte are, in fact, descendants of the Tionontati and the Attignawantan. They were two separate tribes; however, culturally they were almost identical. Since they lived in close proximity to each other in Huronia or Wendake, it was natural for them to unite as ‘one people’ after the defeat of the Huron Confederacy by the Iroquois Confederacy. This happened during a series of wars known as the French and Iroquois Wars, or the Beaver Wars. Prior to the 1649-50 dispersal the Tionontati, whose name can be literally translated Mountain People, were also known as the Pétun and Tobacco Nation. Accompanied by refugees from the Attignawantan, they fled west in the middle of winter seeking relief from their relentless cousins who were determined to annihilate them. Defiant in the face of imminent defeat they were determined to survive, rather than face adoption into the Iroquois’ tribes or die. The Tionontati and Attignawantan ultimately united as one and called themselves Wendat; after all it was their common universal name. Their individual tribal names were set aside for the more prestigious Wendat. Since the Attignawantan were considered the ‘grandfathers’ of the Iroquoian-speaking tribes of the region, and the Huron Confederacy, no one questioned this ‘new’ tribe using the ‘old’ name. It cannot be denied that we, the Wyandotte, do indeed hold a direct lineage back to the Huron through the Attignawantan. Knowing this and when combined with our adoption of the Wendat name, it would have been almost impossible for early historians and ethnologists to make any distinction between the Wendat and the Huron. Early contact with the British corrupted the spelling of our name to Wyandot; however, the misidentity of who we actually are has prevailed as many still refer to us as being Huron today. In our traditional language the name Wendat is actually pronounced ‘Wandat.’ Today, we are the Wyandotte Nation; the spelling reflects an influence from the French language and was first officially used in 1867. Though spelled differently, both our traditional and current name are pronounced the same.

Historically we are also known as the Wyandot and Wyandott. Depending upon what time period being discussed, determines how our name is spelled. In 1701, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, a Frenchman, invited the Wyandot to settle near his new fort – Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or simply Fort Detroit. Within a few years a portion of the tribe ventured south. Expanding our territory they settled around Upper Sandusky, Ohio where we grew as a tribe and held a position of honor among other tribes of the Ohio Valley. Pressure from white settlers ultimately forced the Treaty of 1843 and our removal to lands west of the Mississippi River. Some Wyandot chose to stay in the Detroit area and did not move west with the rest of the tribe. They still live there today. They are the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation. Upon arriving in the west, no promised land or planned provisions were available. Initially camping in a swampy area, disease quickly swept through the people. Arrangements were quickly made and land was purchased from the Delaware. Our new reservation was located on highly sought and fought over land in Kansas, which lead to the Treaty of 1855 and the Wyandot being terminated. Our land was quickly allotted and ultimately sold to white interests. In 1857, some Wyandot who were unwilling to accept United States citizenship relocated to Indian Territory under the leadership of Matthew Mudeater. They returned to Kansas during the Civil War due to difficulties inflicted upon them by rebel Indian forces. As soon as the war was over, they returned to Indian Territory and sought reinstatement as a tribe.

Matthew Mudeater The Treaty of 1867 with the United States reinstated the Wyandotte as a tribe in Indian Territory. It stated, “A register of the whole people, resident in Kansas and elsewhere, shall be taken... on or before the first of July, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, which shall show the names of all who declare their desire to be and remain Indians.” Those not registered by the deadline or accepted back into the tribe were called the Absentee Wyandot. This government- sanctioned distinction separated our people – but it did not conquer us. In essence we are one people, Wyandot Friends: Chief Jan English and Darren English from Kansas, and Barbara Aston of Oklahoma. divided by fate and politics. Today, good relations exist among all our people.

After the Civil War, approximately 200 Wyandot moved from Kansas to Indian Territory. Land was purchased from the Seneca, upon which we reestablished our lives in spite of difficult surroundings.

John Bland, Jr. c1920

Catherine Johnson and her two granddaughters c1912. Wyandotte tribal government was established and schooling was provided by missionaries. Although we came to Indian Territory to remain Indian; our small population, external influences and the decisions we made, compromised our traditional way of life. In the early 1900s, many Wandat speakers did not teach their children our native language, and soon those capable of continuing the traditional ceremonies were gone. Our tribal interests focused on the care of orphaned children, land disputes, and ongoing issues with the federal government.

Wyandott Mission School c1885-1889 In 1911-12, Charles Marius Barbeau, an ethnologist from the National Museum of Canada, came to Oklahoma and preserved our language, traditional stories, song and dance. Today, by utilizing the information he preserved, we are reviving our native language. Barbeau also conducted field- work among the Hurons of Lorette, Quebec, and the Wyandots of Amherstburg, Essex County, Ontario. His work covered about nine months, extending from April 1911 to September 1912. In 1983, Lt. Colonel Leaford Bearskin, USAF (ret), was elected chief. Like Tarhe and Matthew Mudeater, he had a vision and determined purpose for his people. Under his leadership the Wyandotte Nation has grown to almost 5,000 members, secured our right of self- governance, initiated cultural renewal and achieved economic success unlike any other time in our history. Today there are three bands of the Wyandot in the United States. In Michigan, the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation, the Wyandot Nation of Kansas and in Oklahoma the Wyandotte Nation — the only federally recognized nation of the three. » Population stats: In the winter of 1649-50 during the dispersal, there were approximately 1,000 Tionontati and Attignawantan that survived to flee westward. The majority were Tionontati. Prior to the Beaver Wars and dispersal there was an estimated 8,000 Tionontati and Attignawantan, 2,000 of which were Tionontati. By 1770 our population had grown to almost 3,000. We never surpassed that number until the late 20th century.

» Places we influenced: The Wyandot were instrumental in the founding of Detroit, MI and Kansas City, KS. At one time Kansas City was named Wyandotte City. Counties named ‘Wyandotte’ exist in Michigan, Ohio and Kansas.

» Captures and adoptions: The Wyandot adopted many white captives. A few such as Robert Armstrong, Adam Brown, and Isaac Zane obtained great tribal status. Robert Armstrong » Wars we fought: During the French and Indian War we sided with the French against the British. During the American Revolution and the War of 1812 our tribal unity was tested. The Wyandot living in the Detroit area sided with the British; however, the Wyandot at Upper Sandusky initially preferred neutrality, but eventually sided with the Americans during both wars.

» A turning point: On August 20, 1794 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, all but 1 of the 13 Wyandot chiefs participating in the battle was killed. Though badly wounded, Tarhe was the lone Tarhe, the Crane survivor, and signed the Treaty of Greenville on August 3, 1795. » Change in governmental culture: In 1828 Ohio, the Wyandot changed their form of government from one of traditional appointments based upon clan status to one where a principal chief and seven council members were elected by tribal members.

» We were not allowed to stay in Ohio: The Wyandot were the last tribe to leave Ohio in 1843.

» Frontier leadership: In 1853 Wyandot Chief William Walker, Sr. was elected provisional governor of Nebraska Territory.

» An effective way to steal our Kansas land: In 1855 Wyandot tribal status was terminated, but reinstated in 1867 with our moving to Indian Territory. Gov. William Walker, Sr. » A new home… but tough times: In 1867 only about 200 Wyandotte were living in Indian Territory. In 1874 the number of eligible voters within the tribe was just 76 individuals. » You can’t get rid of us! On August 1,1956 the Wyandotte are again terminated, but reinstated on May 15, 1978.

» We make our own decisions: In 1995 the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma is granted “Self-Governance” status by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

» Miles apart but family forever! In 1999, the Wendat Confederacy was signed, forever uniting the Huron-Wendat of Wendake (Canada), the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation (Michigan), the Wyandot In 1999 from left to right: Chief Jan English, Kansas; Second Chief Jim Bland, Oklahoma; Chief Willie Nation of Kansas, and the Wyandotte Nation Picard, Wendake and Chief Steve Gronda, Anderdon. (Oklahoma) in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. The Turtle – Signifies the ancient belief that the world was created on the back of a “moss-back turtle,” also known as the snapping turtle. Willow Branches - Because of its resilience, our ancestors believed the willow tree signified the perpetual renewal of life. War Club and Peace Pipe - Show us to be ready for war or peace, at any given moment. Council Fire - Many tribes of the Northeast looked to us for leadership and advice. When the tribes came together for council, the Wyandotte often hosted and presided over those councils and were considered Keepers of the Council Fire. Points of the Shield - Represent each of our twelve clans: Big Turtle, Little Turtle, Mud Turtle, Wolf, Bear, Beaver, Deer, Porcupine, Striped Turtle, Highland Turtle, Snake and Hawk. Traditional stories of the Wyandotte have been told from generation to generation for possibly thousands of years. In our creation story, a young woman named Aataentsic fell from the sky. To save her, the animals had to prepare a home for her. They needed dirt with which to grow an island on the turtle’s back. One after another the animals dove into the great deep, but they could not reach the dirt on the bottom. Many of them drowned.

Finally the toad said she would try. She dove down and was gone for a very long time. When she came back to the surface, she too had drowned. As she floated on top of the water, the other animals noticed that her mouth was full of dirt. She had succeeded and given her life in the process. Because of her sacrifice, the toad is held in high regard and loved by the Wyandotte. That is why we call her Grandmother Toad. WYANDOTTE NATION 64700 E. Highway 60, Wyandotte, OK 74370 www.Wyandotte-Nation.org Local: 918-678-2297 - Toll Free: 800-256-2539

Notice on copyrights. All images used in this presentation are held in copyright by their respective owners. The Wyandotte Nation is not using the images for profit nor is anything being sold or solicited with their use. They are being used in this presentation for informational and educational purposes only.