Miami Indians

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the Miami Indians, the existence of whom were recorded by French explorers and missionaries as far back as the early seventeenth century. In particular it examines how The Miami Indians in Ohio were defeated by white encroachment on their lands and the government policies of western expansion. It analyzes how their influence in Ohio was significant although not as profound as that of Tecumseh and the Shawnees. It looks at how their major contributions were in agriculture and preparing decorative skins. It evaluates how although the Miami Indians were traditionally a society of warriors, they were unable to successfully combat the overwhelming strength and policies of U.S. Government forces and ended up defeated and diminished as was the history of all Native Americans.

From the Paper:

"The Miami were known as the tattooed or naked Indians. They were lighter in color and shorter than other Illinois tribe. In spite of the severe weather of the Great Lakes region, they wore skins, leggings, and moccasins during the winter. During the summer, they wore only breechcloth and moccasins, which exposed intricate tattooing on their skin. Men wore unornamented skins most of the time. Fringed, beaded, and quilled clothing were worn for festive occasions. Women usually were lightly tattooed on the cheeks or chin. White men could never duplicate the skill of preparing skins, making the Miamis skins much more desirable. As trading continued, the Miami women used brooches and glass beads to add prestige to their clothing. They developed techniques to get striking effects such as skillful applique and nickel-silver decoration (Murdoch, 21). But even the finest of these skins was discarded by Miamis whenever they could secure European cloth (Anson, 20)."

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