Welcome to Our Introduction to Native American History Homeschool Course

Course Sample

Native American History Week 3

Day 1: Miami

The Miami Indians originally inhabited the region South of Lake Michigan, but in the 1660s, they feared the Iroquois, so some of them moved to Mississippi, and some moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin. About 20 years later, the ones in Green Bay began to move back to Lake Michigan and Indiana.

They lived in villages with palisades, or fences surrounding the homes for protection. The palisades enveloped several elliptical houses for each family (sometimes for an extended family). The homes were wooden frames covered in tightly woven reed mats. Over the doorways and floors were bison skins. Each hut had a central hearth for light, heat, and fire for cooking, with a hole in the roof for smoke. In the center of the village sat the chief’s house, which also served as a general meeting place.

During the American Revolution, the Miami sided with the English. Chief Little Turtle, or Michikinikwa, led his followers in several decisive victories against the Americans in the 1790s during what is called Little Turtle’s War. In fact, Chief Little Turtle went down in history as leading the worst defeat of American colonists by Native Americans. It was 1791, and after some smaller skirmishes with Little Turtle, General Washington ordered an attack on him and his army. Little Turtle and his 1000 men defeated the colonial forces of 2000 from Fort Washington near the head of the Wabash River.

Define: palisades

Be sure to label map 2 with the Tribes we learn about this week!

1. Describe the homes of the Miami inside the palisades in at least one paragraph.
2. Who was Chief Little Turtle? What is he known for?

Read more about Chief Little Turtle here. When he finally signed the peace treaty with the United States, how did he change, and what things did he advocate?

http://indigenouspeople.net/turtle.htm

http://www.littleturtlegc.com/the-club/chief-little-turtle/

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