Wea Topics – Access Genealogy

Indian Treaties Waco to Yakima

This post outlines a series of treaties negotiated with various Indigenous tribes, including the Waco, Walla Walla, Wasco, Wea, Winnebago, Witchetaw, Wyandot, and Yakima tribes. It details treaties spanning multiple years, noting significant dates such as the Waco Treaty of 1846, Walla Walla Treaties of 1855, and the Yakima Treaty of 1855. Each tribe’s agreements reflect a complex history of negotiation and sovereignty, highlighting the diverse relations between the U.S. government and Indigenous peoples across different regions.

Treaty of July 22, 1814

The Treaty of July 22, 1814, marks a significant peace agreement between the United States and various Native American tribes, including the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoese, Senecas, and Miamies. Authorized by U.S. commissioners William Henry Harrison and Lewis Cass, the treaty stipulates mutual support in the war against Great Britain and establishes protections for the tribes. It reinforces tribal loyalty to the U.S. and outlines the restoration of pre-war territorial boundaries, emphasizing a formal commitment to peace and cooperation among the parties involved.

Treaty of August 11, 1820

On August 11, 1820, Commissioners led by Benjamin Parke finalized a treaty with the Wea tribe, whereby the tribe ceded their lands from a previous treaty for compensation of $5,000 in money and goods. The Wea chiefs also agreed to relocate, with annuities promised to be paid in Illinois. The treaty required ratification by the U.S. President and Senate to take effect. Several Wea leaders marked the document alongside Parke, confirming the agreement’s legitimacy.

Treaty of June 4, 1816

On June 4, 1816, the Weas and Kickapoos tribes formally acknowledged their peace with the United States in a treaty signed at Fort Harrison. They reaffirmed their commitment to the previous treaties, including the Treaty of Greenville from 1795, and confirmed the boundaries of land ceded in 1809. The Kickapoos explicitly recognized their cession of territory between defined rivers as stipulated in prior agreements. The document bears the marks of tribal chiefs, alongside Benjamin Parke’s signature and various military and administrative witnesses.

Treaty of May 30, 1854

On May 30, 1854, a treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., between the United States and the united tribes of Kaskaskia, Peoria, Piankeshaw, and Wea Indians. The agreement recognized their consolidation into one tribe and involved the cession of their lands in exchange for financial compensation, land reservations, and assistance for education and development. The tribes relinquished previous claims and embraced a commitment to self-improvement and peace with neighboring populations. The treaty aimed to facilitate their advancement and ensure their rights within the framework of U.S. law.

Treaty of October 26, 1809

On October 26, 1809, a treaty was established in Vincennes between William Henry Harrison and the Wea tribe. The Wea, through their leaders, consented to a prior treaty concluded at Fort Wayne with several tribes, securing additional financial agreements. The United States promised an annuity of $300 and an initial payment of $1,500 for the tribe’s relinquishment, alongside a future annuity of $100 contingent on the Kickapoos’ consent. The treaty was signed by Harrison and various tribal leaders, along with notable witnesses.

Treaty of October 29, 1832

The treaty concluded on October 29, 1832, at Castor Hill, Missouri, involved the Piankeshaw and Wea tribes ceding their land rights to the U.S. in exchange for designated tracts for their permanent residence and annual support for agriculture and livestock. The treaty stipulated assistance for improvements and provisions for displaced members of the Wea tribe, alongside establishing a blacksmith shop for communal use. Signed by notable U.S. officials and tribal leaders, it aimed to formalize relations and resolve land issues between the tribes and the government.

Treaty of February 23, 1867

On February 23, 1867, the United States entered a treaty with various Indigenous tribes, including the Senecas, Shawnees, Quapaws, and others, to facilitate land cessions and relocations. The agreement outlined financial compensation for ceded lands, provisions for rebuilding homes and farms, and terms for dissolving tribal affiliations in favor of U.S. citizenship. It addressed compensation for wartime losses and education funding, and established frameworks for integration or removal of tribes to new reservations. The treaty aimed to reshape tribal governance and land ownership in light of ongoing westward expansion.

Treaty of August 3, 1795

The Treaty of Greenville, signed on August 3, 1795, marked a crucial agreement between the United States and several Native American tribes, including the Wyandot, Delaware, and Miami. Establishing peace, it ended hostilities and facilitated the cession of vast lands in Ohio to settlers. It set future precedents for land treaties, leading to further territorial losses for Indigenous peoples. Key provisions included the cessation of violence, the restoration of prisoners, and defined boundaries for Native lands, underlining a complex relationship rooted in both cooperation and dispossession.

Treaty of June 7, 1803

On June 7, 1803, a treaty was signed at Fort Wayne between the United States and several Indian tribes, including the Delaware, Shawanoe, and Miami nations. The treaty established boundaries for land claims and outlined the cession of the great salt spring on Saline Creek to the United States, which also agreed to provide annual salt for the tribes. Additionally, provisions were made for locating tracts of land for traveler accommodations. The treaty aimed to foster cooperation between the U.S. and the tribes while clarifying land rights.

Treaty of August 21, 1805

On August 21, 1805, a treaty was established at Grouseland between the United States and several Native American tribes, including the Delawares, Miamis, Eel River, and Weas. The treaty formalized land cessions from these tribes to the U.S., adjusting territorial claims and compensation. The contract recognized the joint ownership of certain lands, required mutual consent for future sales, and stipulated annual payments as compensation. Notably, the Delawares relinquished prior claims for peace, establishing terms of cooperation and acknowledging boundaries for the tribes involved.

Wea Tribe

The Wea Indians, a subtribe of the Miami, are likely named from local terms meaning “eddy people.” Documented as early as 1673 in east Wisconsin, they later established a prominent village at Ouiatenon on the Wabash River, vital for French trade. Despite efforts for peaceful relations with colonists, they faced conflict, culminating in their removal from Indiana in 1820. The Wea eventually relocated to Kansas and, in 1868, to Oklahoma, where they struggled with population decline, merging with other tribes over the years.

The Moravian Munsee of Kansas

Moravian Munsee

History of the Chicago Tribes

Three tribes, including the Illinois, once inhabited the area now known as Chicago. Their history is intertwined with that of neighboring tribes, such as the Potawatomi and Miami, amid centuries of warfare, conquest, and displacement due to the Iroquois and French explorers. The region saw significant tribal movements, particularly the Potawatomi’s southward expansion following the conflicts. By the 19th century, rapid settler influx led to the tribes’ forced removals. Ultimately, the Potawatomi emerged as the primary surviving tribe, while the Illinois and Miami faced near extinction.

Indians of The Chicago Region

The document highlights the Indian tribes of the Chicago region, focusing on the Illinois and Potawatomi. It details the establishment of an exhibit in 1926 to preserve their culture, aided by an endowment from Julius and Augusta N. Rosenwald. The exhibit was curated by M. G. Chandler, who gathered artifacts and data during his 1925 expedition among the Potawatomi and related tribes. The essay aims to outline the historical presence of these tribes prior to European settlement and their significant role in the area’s history.