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Emergency Fund, Elders Fund. History...Federal Applicant for Acknowledgement
Eel River Tribe of Indiana


When the last of us shall have perished, and the memory of our tribe shall become
a myth among men, these shores shall swarm with the invisible dead of our tribe . .
.   When  your children’s children think themselves alone in the fields, the stores,
upon the highways, or in the silence of the pathless woods, they will not be alone.”

     Modified from: Seattle (Dwabish)

Who are we?

The Eel River tribe of Indians appeared in the records of history during the 18th century.
From the beginning the reports of whom they were and how they came to be were
misunderstood. They were reduced according to some to a small number and could not
send many warriors to the conflicts ranging in the Ohio Valley. At their head was a
famous figure who many history books have reported as a Miami War Chief. His name
was Little Turtle.

In 1748 Little Turtle’s parents were located at Pickawillany, Ohio. Life was relatively
good with trade with the few number of trappers and settlers who lived and visited the
area. The western migration of the bulk of European immigrants into the more interior
lands of America had not yet begun, but it was coming.

The French occupied and controlled much of the region hunting and trapping to support
the demand for fur both in North America and abroad. The Spanish still occupied the
most southern region, Florida, and much of the country had yet to be surveyed or even
explored. Forests were thick and rivers clear enough to drink from and all game
flourished. Species not seen for generations  were in abundance. Animals such as the
woodland bison, bear, elk and eagle were as commonly seen as the people of the
Woodland tribes and life was still innocent and good. Men evaluated one another on his
word and reputation as a hunter and the color of a man’s skin did not always indicate his
intent or his character.

Trouble with the grandfathers of England was building. Not only among their
transplanted and newly born subjects but also within the tribes of the region. Promises
between men were giving way to ambitions of countries and the impact would leave
death, destruction and the disappearance of a many people.
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When the last of us shall have perished, and the memory of our tribe shall become
a myth among men, these shores shall swarm with the invisible dead of our tribe . .
.   When  your children’s children think themselves alone in the fields, the stores,
upon the highways, or in the silence of the pathless woods, they will not be alone.”

     Modified from: Seattle (Dwabish)

Who are we?
The Eel River Tribe of Indians appeared in  history during the 18th century. From the
beginning, the reports of who they were and how they came to be called The Eel Rivers
have been  misunderstood. They were reduced, according to some, to a small number and
could not send many warriors to the conflicts in the Ohio Valley. At their head was a
famous figure who many history books have reported as a Miami War Chief. His name
was Little Turtle.

In 1748 Little Turtle’s parents were located near Pickawillany, Ohio. Life was relatively
good with trade with the few trappers and settlers who lived and visited the area. The
western migration of the bulk of European immigrants into the  interior of America had not
yet begun, but it was coming.

The French occupied and controlled much of the regional hunting and trapping, to support
the demand of fur, both in North America and abroad. The Spanish still occupied the most
southern region, Florida. Most of the country had yet to be surveyed or even explored.
Forests were thick and rivers clear enough to drink from and all game flourished. Species
not seen in generations  were also in abundance. Animals such as the woodland bison,
bear, elk and eagle were as commonly seen as were the people of the Woodland tribes.
Life was still innocent and good. Men evaluated one another on his word and reputation as
a hunter and the color of a man’s skin did not always indicate his intent or his character.

Trouble with the white haired grandfathers of England was building. Not only among their
transplanted and newly born subjects, but also within the tribes of the region. Promises
between men were giving way to the ambitions of countries and the impact would leave
death, destruction and the disappearance of a many people.
An Anthropology Report
of the Eel River Tribe of Indiana

The Eel River Tribe was never very large. Croghan ( an early contact) referred to the Eel
River village in 1765 as “small” and in 1778 the Eel River Indians themselves told Hamilton
that their “small numbers did not allow them to send off warriors” to help re-take
Vincennes. In 1788, Hamertrack estimated the Eel River had 150 warriors, which made
their total population maybe about 600 in all. In 1851 there were 16 Eel River Indians
(known) living in Indiana, and three women who had married into the Western Miami and
were living west of the Mississippi. Making a total of 19 (known) Eel River People.

The relatively small size of the Eel River Tribe, plus the fact that living along  the Wabash
River between two larger groups, The Miamis, and the Wea and that we resembled these
two groups in language and culture might have also accounted for three early observers
having identified the Eel River, mistakenl
y as “Miami.” ( by Croghan and Hamilton) and as
“Weschtenoos [Wea]” ( by Heckwelder). They did not understand that the Eel Rivers
were, a group separate and independent from either the Miami or Wea . Here began the
confusion.
n Anthropological Report of the Miamis Wea and Eel River Indians Vol. 1. Chapter 4,
pp. 171-179: Drs. Ermine Wheeler- Voegelin, Emily J. Blasingham, Dorothy R. Libby

Little Turtle was the chief and headman of the Eel River Tribe prior to the signing of the
1805 Treaty which was intended to combine them, along with the Wea tribe, into the larger
Miami tribe. To the government, it only made sense. The small numbers of the Wea and Eel
Rivers and because they lived in the general vicinity of one another, spoke a similar
language, dressed and appeared to share a similar ancestry had caused this union.  There
had been some marriage between the trio and this also added to the conclusion of grouping
them together as one collective tribe called, Miami. Later this would add to them and the
Wea, being considered only clan groups of the Miami.

Little Turtle was a great war chief and had led a confederacy force of Woodland tribes
against the Americans in decisive victories.  His victories are still regarded as some of the
most lopsided defeats inflicted against any American force even today. To say the least, he
(Little Turtle) had earned the respect as a leader and statesmen and would be the logical
choice as war chief for the new collective Miami. Still he was Eel River.   His appointment
was also intended to further blend the three groups, honor the leaders of the smaller tribes,
as they were forced by treaty to formally join. With the execution and signatures on this
treaty, Little Turtle would be forever associated as a Miami and would be forgotten over
the generations that he was in fact an Eel River Chief and more.

Little Turtle Speaks:

“I am no Miami, I am only their interpreter”
Nearly all historians agree that Little Turtle was a fine orator and can recall
many of his speeches at meetings. However; his meeting at the council held July
10th, 1805, before combining the Eel River and Wea with the Miami, is almost
never discussed. Here he said quite clearly
"I am no Miami, I am only their
interpreter."   

Little Turtle, the head Chief of the Eel Rivers passed the headman duties and responsibilities
to Charley ‘Katunga’ after this council meeting held in July 1805.
National Archives, RG 107. Old Army, H-325(2) . Signed J.J. [John Johnston] Enc. With letter of William
Henry Harrison to Henry Dearborn Vincennes, July 10, 1805 (continued). Minutes of a council meeting held
with the Delaware, Eel River, Miami    July, 1805
.
Little Turtle made this statement because, not until after that meeting by Aug. 21st a treaty
was then signed with the intention of combining the three groups under the united name
"Miamis".  This collective, Miami tribe would make it easier to enter into treaties, cede
lands, pay annuities by dealing with one common group. In reality it only caused additional
confusion and clouded the rolls of clear leadership and the rights of all.
TREATY WITH THE DELAWARES, ETC., 1805.
Aug. 21, 1805. | 7 Stat., 91. | Proclamation, Apr. 24. 1806. (Kappler Indian Laws and Treaties)

This letter from the minutes of the council meeting, was recorded  July 10th, before the
Treaty on August. 21st.  At that time Little Turtle was speaking the truth. He was no Miami
and was only interpreting for them on their behalf and at that time he was only considered
an Eel River Chief.
The treaty following this council meeting  was completed in August. Only then was Little
Turtle to be considered a member of the new Miami collective. However; his roots did not
change, he was still Eel River and trough his mother also relative to The Delaware People.
Vague accounts are all that exist on Little Turtle’s parents. Most historians do agree that his
mother was a Mohegan woman. She had been transplanted to the West and there was
treated as any other adopted tribal person. She had encountered a Trader who was  injured
in the leg while in a conflict near the Wea along the Wabash River. She had helped him to
safety by carrying or dragging him to the nearest friendly village. Here he was nursed back
to health to almost a complete recovery. He was so grateful, but now without possessions,
he could only admire her courage and repeat his admiration and thanks to her. His feeling
grew so strong for her that it was said he had thought of her as his own daughter and
considered her as such.
CC Trowbridge interview / Allen Co Library Microfilm Dept. 1826 "LeGros"

We do not debate that Little Turtle was a honorable and historical, a great leader of his time. We
do however feel obligated to tell this accounts and that of the tiny Eel River Tribe that has
sometimes been overshadowed in history and by popularly embellished stories.

Why We are called The Eel Rivers
One of the most common told errors is how we became known as The Eel River Tribe. Many
historians have claimed it is because we lived along the Eel River near modern day Logansport
IN. In reality the river got its name because we lived on it and we were already called the Eel
River or Sometimes "Snakefish" or "Missassago" Tribe.  
John McClurg, a member of the army at St. Clair’s defeat, said this of the chief of the Eel River
Tribe:
“The leader of the Indian army at the time of St. Clair’s defeat was a chief of Missassago
tribe, known by the name of Little Turtle. Notwithstanding his name, he was at least 6 ft. tall.
His aspect was harsh, sour and forbidding, and his person during the action was arrayed in the
very extremity of Indian finery, having at least $20 worth of silver descending from his nose and
ears.”
Another man who saw him after the battle described him as this::His dress consisted of
moccasins, a blue petticoat that came halfway down his thighs, and a European waistcoat and
cutout. His head was bound with an Indian cap that hung halfway down his back and was
almost entirely filled with plain silver brooches to the number of 200. He had two earrings to
each ear; the upper part of each being formed of three silver medals about the size of a dollar,
the lower part of quarter dollars, which extended more than 12 inches from his nose; one over
his breast and the other over his back. He also had three very large nose jewels of silver that
were curiously painted.”
Note: Missassago: is the Algonquian word for rattle snake, timber rattler, they are often nearly black in
color with underdeveloped rattles. Some often appear similar to blacksnakes.

Even more important is the relationship to the early French in the area. They had realized that
some of our members were different, something other than many they had encountered. They
called us a"l'Anguille, or snakes in the grass. They had also recognized that some of our numbers
were deserters from long forgotten armies. Englishmen without leave.
Hamilton’s Journal is taken from Henry Hamilton and George Rogers Clark in the American
Revolution with the unpublished journal of Lieut. Gov. Henry Hamilton, edited by John D.
Barnhart and published by R. E. Banta, Crawfordsville, Indiana, 1951
.

http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/ihb/resources/hamiltonfootnotes.html

Page 206
The Isle of Garlic,” or l’isle a l’ail, is located approximately four miles above Delphi,
Indiana, or some ten miles above the mouth of Tippecanoe River"
.Also from Hamilton’s Journal . . . .
pp. 162
Riviere a L’Anguille is the Eel River of Indiana. See Hamilton’s entries for November 19, 21,
and 24
.
pp. 197
Riviere à l’Anguille is the modern Eel River Anguille: to begin a thing at the wrong end,
there is
a snake in the grass. [Cassell’s pp35] Anguillie’re: Eel Pond [Cassell’s pp. 35]
Anglais: (I) English: British, filer, a l’anglais,
to slip away, to take French leave; Anglais:
Englishman, The English, the English Language [Cassell’s pp. 34]

The Journal of the Proceedings” Ft. Wayne IN “Indian Treaties” held on
September 30th 1809.
:
Excerpt reads as follows:
The governor (Wm. H. Harrison) requested that all the chiefs present would speak in
their turn, and called upon
the principal chief of the Eel River tribe who was an old
friend of his who had served with him in General Wayne’s Army
. He demanded to
know what his objections were to the treaty. He (the Eel River chief) drew out the
treaty of Grousland. ‘Father . .’

see treaty  with the date Sept. 30th 1809; Kappler's Indian Laws and Treaties Vol I. / Charley is this “Principal
Chief”]

Indiana Historical Markers
Many arguments can be made that the Eel River are part of other groups both now and
historically. The history as it is written would favor this. Remember however
: "A Mistake
in history can be written, copied  and told time and time again until it appears to
be an historical truth...but it is still a mistake."

Historical Markets and many other items in the mainstream also misreport the Eel
River Tribe.

Photo of historical village
of Peter Cornstalk and his Snakefish, Eel
River. It reads:
Chief Cornstalk’s Village
Chief Peter Cornstalk’s Village
of Snakefish (Eel River) Tribe
of Miami Indians
was located three miles from here
along Cornstalk Creek.
Wigwams and Indian burial
ground were near the little
Harshbarger family cemetery.
In Indians lived at peace with
settlers moving here in the 1800s.”

Indiana Cemetery Marker
Eel River Tribe of Miamis at Thorntown.
Other items also reflect inaccurate
and misreported information.

Our struggle to restore our heritage will not be easy. We have the support from many and to
them we say Mishneyway...Great Thanks!
Every step is worth taking and every inch is worth gaining. How appropriately is it,
that on the day the Treaty was finished that blended our history, people and leaders
into the Miami Collective...we also claimed our independence 203 years to the day.
On August 21 2006, we were granted our Non Profit status as the Eel River Tribe of
Indiana Inc. To some this might be considered only a corporate playing field, but to
us it was a huge step on the road back.   Ironically, as of today, there are no
Federally recognized Tribes in Indiana, a land which took it's name from " The Land
of the Indians". There are only individual people from Federal Tribes outside of the
State.  We have entered into the recognition and acknowledgement process and with
the Creator and our Ancestors watching over us, we just might be the first to achieve
this.  We are grateful and we are Thankful for all of your letters of support. We will
continue to collect them and as always you may continue to send them to the link or e-
mail address listed below.  Our Scholarship, Hardship, Elders support Funds and
Cultural preservation Funds are now in place and are open to our members and
sponsored people form all other tribes.
If you would like to  apply or would like additional information on these programs
please fill out the request section on our contact page or e-mail us at the address
below.
For additional information and history: go to Amazon.com search Eel River Tribe of
Indiana (new Revised Edition) Or L'Anguiles~ Snakes in the Grass..For Family and
Honor. These books vary in price from the many book sellers and
sites that carry them.
Thank You!
NOTE: All sales from these books go to fund Scholarships for
extended Education and are open to all members of the
Eel River Tribe and to All other applicants.
No tribal affiliation is required to apply. For information please visit
our service page.
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“ A mistake can
be made . . .
written down,
copied, rewritten,
published,
repeated time and
time again . . . but
it is still a
mistake”
LONGHOUSE
Open to all with a
good heart
.
Algonquian and
their related tribes
all believe in the
“Great Spirit” or
“Manitou.” The
“Great Spirit” was
considered the
supreme being, and
lived in everything

“We have been
pushed westward
and off our lands
for so long that
the graves of our
grandfathers are
no longer known
to us. Without our
old ones our
stories fade and
our history now
too grows dim.”
KiKik : Algonquin
word for a
white hawk
Little Turtle
“The leader of the
Indian army at the
time of St. Clair’s
defeat was a chief of
Missassago tribe,
known by the name
of Little Turtle.
“Snake Fish” Eel
Rivers
Indiana Historical
Markers; near
Thorntown
NOTICE:
We are not associated with
the Business known as
"Great Lakes Woodland Eel
River Tribe LLC" This is a
For Profit Company located
in Lafayette IN and has NO
affiliation to our Group,
Culture,Customs or
Traditions.

This company is not
permitted to use or distribute
any of  our printed materials
including Books,
Newsletters, Membership
Rolls or Historical Records
which are protected under
current Indiana  & copyright
laws. All materials produced
by our  registered name is
intended for our exclusive
use and may only be
distributed by us or with our
written permission. Any
misuse, claims, distribution
reprinting, or references to
these materials by this LLC
or any other entity  is
prohibited under
Indiana law.   

Copyright ©Plus the Date
Should appear on all of our
authorized publications
including printed, digital or
audio reproductions.
A $500 reward for reporting any
such unauthorized use which leads
to a  prosecution will be awarded.
THE EEL
RIVER
TRIBE
of Indiana
2008
POW
WOW

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