The Early History of the Illinois Indians

I have always wondered how the town Mascoutah got it's name. Here is a short collection of facts I have learned about the Illinois Indians who lived here about 370 years ago. The information used here was obtained from a interesting dvd titled "The Early History of the Illinois Indians". The dvd was produced by Jeff A. Specker, is narrated by David W. Froman and is available at the Mascoutah library.

Nipwanntikaanis: Lodge where we learn from each other.

"....the second fresh water sea [Lake Superior], upon the shores of which the Maroumine [Menominee]; and still further upon the same banks dwell the Ouinpigou [Winnebago]....In the neighborhood of this nation are the Naduesiu [Sioux], the [Assiniboines] Assinipour, the Eriniouai [Illinois], the Rasaouakoueton [Mascouten], and the Pouutouatami [Potawatomi]."
JR 18:231
Father Le Jeune
1640

The first published reference to the Illinois appears in the Jesuit Relations [JR] in the report submitted by Father Le Jeune for the year 1640.

Who were the Illinois? Somewhat unique. Not a tribe. They were broken down into sub tribes. Inoca the Ojibwa called them Illiniwek. French interpretations of the name became Illinois.

Illinois sub tribes
Peoria
Kaskaskia
Cahokia
Metchigamia
Tamaroa
Moingwena
Chepoussa
Coiracaentanon
Tapouroa
Maroa
Chinkoa
Eseminkia
Omouhoas.

Miamia sub tribes
Wea
Piankashaw.

United by a common language and culture. Miami controlled the eastern end of the territory. Illinois Indians were farmers, hunters and gatherers, traders and warriors.

The Mascouten sub tribe actually lived in the lower portion of present day Michigan.

Bison, elk and black bear were common during the late 1600's early 1700's. Illinois lived in wigwams and long houses simular to the Froquois long houses. Illinois lived in harmony with the environment.

Winter would find the Illinois scattered across the countryside broken up from groups formed in warmer weather. They would follow the movements of their food sources such as elk and bison. In spring they would return to their main village site. Illinois grew corn, gords, pumpkins, squash and beans. They'd grow the corn first then beans letting the vines grow up the corn stalks. They'd grow the corn and plant the beans and squash in between the corn. Corn, beans and squash were known as the three sisters.

Summertime was the best time for hunting by the young men in the tribe. Male reputations depended on military exploits first, but a close second was hunting exploits. The Illinois and Souix were not on the best of terms. The Souix lived to the northwest near present day South Dakota. Most disagreements were about hunting rights and land occupation. Another Indian nation from the northeast called the Irocois caused the Illinois problems when they would hunt beaver in Illinois Territory. The Irocois lived near present day New York and would travel west when beaver became scares. On more than one occasion the Irocois were forced back to there territory. The Illinois used their great number to their advantage when it came to dealing with rival nations. They forced enemy nations back to their lands by banding together when needed. The Illinois used bison bone as tool emplements. Fall season was for harvesting crops.

Every type of animal could be found in Illinois Territory because it was part prairie and wooded land. The major mode of transportation the Illinois used to and from their winter camps was by dugout canoe. The many rivers in this region were the super highways of their time. The Illinois lived off the land. Everything they had came from what the land had. Food and medicines were obtained by trial and error. What worked was communicated through council meeting with other tribes. Pierre Daliett described Illinois women gathering Macoupins from the marshes. Macoupins may well have been the water lilly.

Illinois were very relationship oriented and spiritually oriented. A very devout population. They believed there was three spiritual worlds: Upper world consisted of human spirit and the Sun. Middle world occupied by people living today. Lower world occupied by panthion of spirits including under water monsters that sometimes had panther like attributes. One of these underwater spirits may have been portrayed on the bluff near Alton, IL. The so called Piassa. To the Illinois a balanced spiritual life was important.

"The nation, called the Alinouek,....is computed at fully 20,000 men and 60 villages making about 100,000 souls in all."
JR 44:247

The Illinois territory ran from western Ohio to eastern Missouri, from the Ohio River to southern Wisconsin. Realistic estimates of population range about 20,000 strong.

There are three banks of a beautiful river large and wide and deep they [French explorers] found the great nation of the Alimiwec, which gave them a very kind reception. The nation comprises sixty villages..."
JR 45:235

"On the thirteenth I crossed the Bay to go to find the Ovenigoutz [Winnebago] in their clearings where they were assembling."....About 30 years ago, all the people of this nation were killed or taken captive by the Iliniouek [Illiniwek]..."
JR 54:237
Pere Allouez, S.J.
May 13, 1670