Native American Groups of Louisiana

Atakapa- lived in southwest Louisiana (Calcasieu Parish)- believed to be cannibals – their name means “Eaters of Flesh”- Both French and Spanish forts were built on their land- they left their lands and intermarried with other indian groups.

What is cultural diffusion Chitimacha-means “people altogether red.)- They were ruled by one male chief that inherited his position. Females served as healers. Intermarried with the Acadians and inherited the French language via cultural diffusion. They still occupy their ancestral lands. What is cultural diffusion

Why do you suppose that most Choctaw live in Oklahoma today? Choctaw- 2nd largest tribe in the southeastern U.S. before the Europeans arrived. They primarily farmed but did develop trade routes that are still used today (The Choctaw Roads.) During the French and Indian Wars, the Choctaw sided with the French while the Chickasaw Indians sided with the British. leading to a war between the groups. While most Choctaw live in Oklahoma today, there are still a few Small groups in Louisiana. Why do you suppose that most Choctaw live in Oklahoma today? Andrew Jackson created the Indian Removal Bill which ordered that all native Americans be moved to the land west of the Mississippi River: Oklahoma.

grounds. This area would eventually become Baton Rouge (French for Houma- They were the first native Tribe to greet LaSalle, because of their original location near Angola. The Crawfish is their totem (tribal symbol). They placed a red stick as a boundary between their hunting grounds. This area would eventually become Baton Rouge (French for Red Stick). RJ and J Paul from Swamp People are Houma Indians.

Bell Ringer: What does the term Baton Rouge actually mean? Which group of Indians might have been Cannibals? Which group of Indians made their home in our area?

Natchez- their “Grand Village” was located near Natchez, Mississippi Natchez- their “Grand Village” was located near Natchez, Mississippi. They had a highly organized class system that consisted of common people (stinkards), nobles, and chiefs. Everyone wore tatoos that showed their social status. RJ and J Paul from Swamp People are Houma Indians.

Caddo- The Red River and its tributaries marked the traditional home of the Caddo. They hunted bison on horses they received in exchange for salt. In 1835, they sold 1million acres to the U.S. for $80,000. RJ and J Paul from Swamp People are Houma Indians.

Tunica-Biloxi- were forced into Louisiana by the French settlers to Mississippi. They eventually settled near Marksville in Avoyelles Parish. They lived in family units called clans.

Native American Culture: Village- Native groups were organized by tribes or clans headed by chiefs. Your rank in the group was determined by your mother’s side of the family. Clothing- wore simple clothes made of available materials such as fur and buckskin. Clothing could include skirts, moccasins, capes, and ponchos. Body ornaments and tattoos were common among the tribes. Religion- Natives were polytheistic and had gods that were based on nature. Government- Most tribes consisted of a war chief and a peace chief. War chief= military leader. Peace chief= tribal matters. Work- Commonly hunted, fished, and collected plants. Men cleared land, constructed houses, and built boats (pirogues). Women weaved baskets, made pottery and utensils. They prepared food and clothing. Shelter- Caddo built rectangular log houses, filled cracks with clay and deer hide. The Choctaw made a wood frame house filled with clay and moss along with a thatched roof. Houses had no windows and doors facing east for good luck. Food- Natives ate wild game as well as native and domesticated vegetation. They brought corn, beans, and squash to the area from trading with Mexican tribes.

Bell Ringer 12-6-12 Name 2 facts about the Chitimacha and Caddo Indians.

Early European Explorers to Louisiana

Hernando De Soto- (The man our parish is named after.)- A Spanish explorer that traveled the Southeastern part of North America and was the first European to explore Florida. His travels brought diseases to the Indian Tribes (groups of people who share common ancestry, language, name, and way of living.) 80% of Native Americans were killed by European diseases.

Marquette and Joliet were fur traders that became the first to explore the Great River (Mississippi River). They were looking for an all water route to Asia. They traveled all the way down to the Arkansas River but turned around in fear of being attacked by native tribes.

Rene Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle: French explorer who had long dreamed of finding a water route to China, he decided to continue the journey of Marquette and Joliet all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. He claimed all land drained by the Mississippi River for King Louis XIV of France. The Land was named Louisiana. Besides finding the route to China, La Salle hoped to spread Catholicism throughout the region. On his return trip, he missed the mouth of the Mississippi and ended up in Texas, where his crew grew angry and eventually mutinied and murdered him.

When the other European kings heard of France’s claim to the Mississippi River, they hurried to build forts in the area. As a result, France decided to send Iberville and Bienville to build a fort near the mouth of the Mississippi called Fort Maurepas. They chose to build the fort in present day Mississippi for the lumber. Their position east of the mouth of the river would allow them to see any passer bys coming from the East into the Gulf of Mexico.