Kaskaskia Tribe
The Kaskaskia Indians were a prominent tribe within the Illinois confederacy, known for their village near present-day Utica, Illinois. Early European contact began in the 1670s, with Father Marquette establishing a mission there in 1674. The tribe later migrated to the lower Mississippi region, seeking connection with French interests. By the early 19th century, their population declined significantly, leading to treaties that ceded their lands and consolidated them with other tribes. By 1905, their numbers dwindled to 195, with mixed heritage among members.