How The Piqua Shawnee Tribe Have Contributed to America
The history of the Piqua Shawnee Tribe is incredibly interesting. For centuries, this tribe has been part of our country’s culture. As you may know, though, many people are ignorant regarding the fascinating history of the Shawnee. If you’re interested in learning more about the Shawnee, it’s important to study their history. The Shawnee are one of nine original tribes that is officially recognized by Alabama’s state government.
There is evidence that the Shawnee people have lived in Alabama for more than three hundred years. Before they lived in Alabama, though, the Shawnee lived in Ohio and Indiana. The Piqua derive their name from a story about a wicked ghost. The story begins when a wicked man died; after his death, his soul was reanimated. Unable to rest peacefully, the apparition was then asked to become a leader for the Shawnee tribe. When there was a fire, the spirit could appear through the smoke from the coal. The phrase Piqua can be translated to mean “from the ashes, the spirit arises.” By studying the Piqua Shawnee Tribe, you can learn more about our country’s history.
Over the centuries, the Piqua Shawnee Tribe have faced many hardships. Many times, the tribe has been forced to relocate. History suggests that the initial immigration happened about four hundred years ago. When conflict erupted in the Ohio area, the tribe was forced to scatter. The vast majority of the people in the tribe decided to settle in Alabama. During this time, the Piqua Shawnee Tribe lived alongside Creek tribes.
The members of the Shawnee tribe had a difficult decision to make once the war ended. Many people stayed in Alabama, but others decided to return to Indiana. War returned to the region a few years later. Around the turn of the nineteenth century, the French went to war with the English and the Americans. The result was that the region was fairly unstable. While the war was very concerning, there were other threats that the Piqua Shawnee had to deal with. Sadly, many tribespeople were exposed to smallpox. After Pontiac’s rebellion, many infected blankets were taken from Fort Pitt. There were several tribes that had already been exposed to smallpox. Since the Shawnee had never been exposed, though, the disease was particularly pernicious. Eventually, the disease was passed to the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes.
In today’s world, the people of the Shawnee tribe are spread across several disparate regions. There are still Shawnee people in Alabama, but some have moved further north. Remember that if you are interested in American history, you owe it to yourself to study the Piqua Shawnee Tribe.
If You Think You Understand History, Then This Might Change Your Mind