Indian Tribes of North America Collections – Page 2 of 17

Winnebago Indians

Winnebago Indians. The most ancient known habitat of this tribe was on the south side of Green Bay extending inland as far as Lake Winnebago. They also lived in the present states of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota

Wichita Indians

The earliest certain location for the Wichita Indians was on Canadian River north of the headwaters of the Washita River in Oklahoma.

Western Shoshoni Indians

Western Shoshoni Indians. Central and western Idaho, northwestern Utah, central and northeastern Nevada, and a small territory in California north of and about Death and Panamint Valleys.

West Virginia Indian Tribes

Wenatchee Indians

Weapemeoc Indians

Weapemeoc Tribe: Meaning unknown, but evidently a place name. Also called: Yeopim, a shortened and more usual form. Weapemeoc Connections. The Weapemeoc were almost certainly of the Algonquian linguistic family and related to the Powhatan Indians the north and the Chowan, Machapunga, and Pamlico to the south. Weapemeoc Location. Most of the present Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties, and part of Chowan County north of Albemarle Sound. Weapemeoc Subdivisions. In the same section in later times are given the following tribes which must be regarded as subdivisions of the Weapemeoc: Pasquotank, on Pasquotank River. Perquiman, on Perquimans River. Poteskeet, … Read more

Waxhaw Indians

Waxhaw Tribe: Meaning unknown. Also called: Flatheads, a name given to this tribe and others of the Catawba connection owing to their custom of deforming the head. Waxhaw Connection. Nothing of their language has been preserved, but circumstantial evidence points to a close relationship between the Waxhaw and the Catawba and hence to membership in the Siouan linguistic stock. Their closest contacts appear to have been with the Sugeree. Waxhaw Location. In Lancaster County, S. C., and Union and Mecklenburg Counties, N. C. Waxhaw Villages. Lawson mentions two villages in 1701 but the names are not given. Waxhaw History. The … Read more

Wateree Indians

Wateree Tribe: Gatschet suggests a connection with Catawba, wateran, “to float on the water.” Also called: Chickanee, name for a division of Wateree and meaning “little.” Guatari, Spanish spelling of their name. Wateree Connections. The Wateree are placed in the Siouan linguistic stock on circumstantial evidence. Wateree Location. The location associated most closely with the Wateree historically was on Wateree River, below the present Camden. (See North Carolina.) Wateree History. The Wateree are first mentioned in the report of an expedition from Santa Elena (Beaufort) by Juan Pardo in 1566-67. They lived well inland toward the Cherokee frontier. Pardo made … Read more

Washo Indians

Washo Indians. On Truckee River as far down as the Meadows, though their right to the latter was disputed by the Northern Paiute tribes; Carson River down to the first large canyon below Carson City; the borders of Lake Tahoe; and Sierra and other valleys as far as the first range south of Honey Lake, Calififornia

Washington Indian Tribes

The State of Washington was occupied by a great number of Indian tribes formerly very populous, particularly those along the coast. There are few traditions regarding migrations and those which we have apply almost entirely to the interior people. After the Whites came it was unlikely that the Indians would move eastward in the face of the invasion and impossible for them to move westward; hence we do not have to trace various stages of long migrations due to displacement by the Whites and the overland retreat which followed, so marked in the history of the eastern Indians. Contrary to … Read more

Washington DC Indian Tribes

The following tribes at one time are recorded in history as having resided within the District of Columbia (Washington DC). If the tribe name is in bold, then District of Columbia is the primary location known for this tribe, otherwise we provide the tribes specifics as it pertains to District of Columbia and provide a link to the main tribal page if available. Conoy Indians

Washa Indians

Washa Tribe: Appearing oftenest in literature in the French form Ouacha, meaning unknown. Washa Connections. The nearest relations of the Washa were the Chawasha and both belonged to the Chitimachan branch of the Tunican linguistic family. Washa Location. Their earliest known location was on Bayou La Fourche, perhaps in the neighborhood of the present Labadieville, Assumption Parish. Washa Villages. None are known under any but the tribal name. Washa History. As stated in treating the Chawasha, this tribe and the one just mentioned may have been those which attacked Moscoso’s flotilla at the mouth of the Mississippi. Shortly after Iberville … Read more

Wappo Indians

Wappo. An Americanization of Spanish Guapo. “brave,” given them on account of their stubborn resistance to Spanish military aggression. Also called: Ash-o-chl-mi, a name given by Powers (1877). Soteomellos or Sotomieyos, names given by Taylor (1860-63). Wappo Connections. The Wappo language constituted a very divergent form of speech of the Yukian linguistic family. Wappo Location. On the headwaters of Napa River and Pope and Putah Creeks, and a stretch of Russian River. Wappo Subdivisions and Villages Following are their dialectic divisions and the villages in each, the names in italic being principal towns in as many village communities: Southern Wappo: … Read more

Wanapam Indians

Wanapam Indians were located in the bend of Columbia River between Priest Rapids and a point some distance below the mouth of Umatilla River, and extending east of the Columbia north of Pasco in the present state of Washington.

Wallawalla Indians

Wallawalla Indians were located on the lower Wallawalla River, except perhaps for an area around Whitman occupied by Cayuse, and a short span along the Columbia and Snake Rivers near their junction, in Washington and Oregon. They are now on Umatilla Reservation, Oregon.

Walapai Indians

The Walapai Indians, also known as the “pine-tree folk,” are a Native American tribe belonging to the Yuman branch of the Hokan linguistic stock. Closely related to the Havasupai and Yavapai, they historically occupied the region along the middle Colorado River, above the Mohave, extending southward toward Bill Williams Fork. The tribe’s numerous villages were spread across different geographic divisions, including north, west, central, east, and southern areas. First encountered by European explorers in the 16th and 18th centuries, the Walapai population has fluctuated significantly over time, reflecting the broader historical challenges faced by Yuman tribes in the region.

Waco Indians

Waco Indians. According to Lesser and Weltfish (1932), from Wehiko, a corruption of Mexico, and given the name because they were always fighting with the Mexicans. The same authorities report that the Waco are thought to have been a part of the Tawakoni without an independent village but separated later. Also called: Gentlemen Indians, by Bollaert (1850). Houechas, Huanchane, by French writers, possibly intended for this tribe. Waco Connections. The Waco were most closely related to the Tawakoni of the Wichita group of tribes belonging to the Caddoan Stock. Waco Location. They appear first in connection with their village on … Read more

Waccamaw Indians

Waccamaw Tribe: Meaning unknown. Waccamaw Connections. Nothing of their tongue has been preserved but evidence points to a connection with the Waccamaw with the Siouan linguistic family, and presumably with the Catawba dialectic group. The Woccon may have been a late subdivision, as Dr. Rights has suggested. (See North Carolina.) Waccamaw Location. On Waccamaw River and the lower course of the Pee Dee. (See North Carolina.) Waccamaw Villages. The Waccamaw were reported to have had six villages in 1715, but none of the names is preserved. Waccamaw History. The name of the Waccamaw may perhaps be recorded in the form … Read more

Virginia Indian Tribes

The following tribes at one time are recorded in history as having resided within the present state of Virginia. If the tribe name is in bold, then Virginia is the primary location known for this tribe, otherwise we provide the tribes specifics as it pertains to Virginia and provide a link to the main tribal page if available. Cherokee Indians This tribe claimed territory in the extreme southwestern part of the State. If not actually occupied by them, it at least formed part of their hunting territories. Manahoac Indians Meherrin Indians Monacan Indians Nahyssan Indians Nottaway Indians Occaneechi Indians Powhatan … Read more

Vermont Indian Tribes

Abnaki Indians. An Abnaki band known as the Missiassik was at one time settled on Missisquoi River in Franklin County. Mahican Indians. Bands of the Mahican hunted in the southwestern and western parts of the State and made temporary settlements from time to time. One Mahican village (Winooskeek) is thought to have been located at the mouth of Winooski River. (See New York.) Pennacook Indians. The eastern margins of Vermont were occupied by the Pennacook, who must have hunted considerably within its borders. (See New Hampshire.) Pocomtuc Indians. The northernmost bands of the Pocomtuc extended into the southern parts of … Read more