Miami

Introduction - (SLL-SamS)
The Miami Indians lived not in Florida, but in the Midwest **:** Indiana Illinois and Ohio. However, many of them were forced to move to Oklahoma during the Indian Removal. The Miami originally lived in several areas near the Great Lakes. It is believed that they lived to the west, south, and east of lower Michigan. The [|Miami Indians] Indians name means “Allies". The Miami tribe has ten tribes in it they are Wolf, Loon, Eagle, Buzzard, Panther, Turkey, Raccoon, Snow, Sun, and Water.The Miami Indians joined Pontiac's rebellion against the British in 1763-1765.Miami and Illinois speak the same language that is later used in Oklahoma during the Indian removal. Children from both tribes still learn it today though no Native Americans naturally speak it. About 2000 Miami Indians live in Oklahoma and about 6000 in Indiana.The Miami tribe in Oklahoma has its own government, laws, police, and services, just like a small country. However, the Miamis are also US citizens and must obey American law. The Miami Indians of Indiana don't have a reservation or their own government. However, they still have traditional Miami leadership and tribal meetings. In the past, the Miami tribe was ruled by two chiefs. One was a village chief, chosen by the leaders of the Miami clans, and the other was a war chief, chosen by the other warriors. Today, Miami chiefs are elected by the people, just like mayors and governors. There are also about 1000 Illinois Indians (primarily Peoria and Kaskaskia) living in Oklahoma today.

Habitat/Homes - (SLL-SamS)
The Miami Indians lived not in Florida, but in the Midwest** : ** Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. However, many of them were forced to move to Oklahoma during the Indian Removal.

What did they live in?
The Miami Indians lived in Wigwams, which were small oval houses usually about eight to ten feet tall that had walls made of woven reeds or animal skins. It had a central fire pit and a smoke hole to keep the inside smoke free. It is also not able to move from place to place.



What was the Animals Available to them?
The animals that were available to them were deer, a few bears, coyotes, and beavers. Most of the animals were mammals. But there were a few fish like Salmon, Trout, Bass, and other fish that live in lakes, ponds, and rivers. They naturally used the skins of the animals to keep themselves warm and to build houses.

What was their Climate like?
The climate of the Midwest is and was hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. In the spring there was lots of rain. In the summer there were lots of sun and a few thunder storms. In the fall all the leaves turn beautiful colors and fall off the tree. The fall was also a good time to hunt.

What was the habitat of the Miami Indians?
The habitat of the Miami was lots of thick and light woods, rolling hills, rivers, and meadows. There were also lakes and ponds abundant in fish. The type of trees and vegetation that grew in those woods meadows and ponds were Maple, Oak, at that time Birch, a few ferns, poison Ivy, and wild flowers.

Dress - (OSL-SethB)
There clothes where made of deerskins. Men wore breechcloths when it got colder they added shirts, leggings, moccasins, and fur robes. Wampum was woven to make belts. Women wore skirts, and leggings. Men in cooled weather didn’t wear long pants. They made headbands with beads and red feather.

Food - (OSL-SethB)
The foods they eat are corn, beans, and squash. They made recipes like soup, cornbread, and stews. They also ate melons and tobacco. On prairie and in forests found nuts, fruits, deer, and bison. They also killed small game animals, too. They also caught and killed fish big and small. They also hunted and killed many squirrels and raccoons.



Tool and Weapons - (SLL-ParkerP)
The Miami Indian tribe used tomahawks, bows, spears,hatchets and shields made of buffalo hide. The Miami Indians used hammers blocks which they later carved down. They also used warclubs.