The Huron Indians prefer to be called Wyandot, as the name Huron comes from a French term for their hairstyle. Originally from Quebec, they are now scattered across the US and Canada, with three distinct communities. They have their own land and government, with a history of a different social structure and focus on trade.
Imagine how you would feel if someone told you you look like a boar and you’ll understand why the group known as the Huron Indians prefer the name Wyandot. The name Huron comes from the French and refers to the Mohawk-style haircut worn by some men of the Huron Indian tribes. While it would be hard to distinguish a member of Native American tribes from any other person today, they must have been a sight for explorers of the Americas.
Originally originating in the St. Lawrence Valley in Quebec, Canada, today’s Huron Indian tribes are scattered across the Midwestern United States and Canada. Many Native Americans of the Huron tribe chose to move to Ohio and Michigan after being driven out by rival Indian nations. Still others were forced to relocate to areas such as Kansas and Oklahoma as part of the US government’s Indian removal initiative in the 19th century.
There are three distinct communities made up of Huron Indians. Two are located in Kansas and Oklahoma in the United States and the third is located in Quebec, Canada. In the United States, these communities are called tribes. Such a community in Canada is called a First Nation. Each group is assigned a specific tract of land, called a reservation, which falls under the legal jurisdiction of the Indians who live there. They are politically autonomous with their own police forces and governments.
Modern-day Native American tribes live similarly to others in modern culture, but the Huron Indians of the past had a very different social structure. Wyandot men were in charge of bringing home food from hunting and waging war on enemies, while women were tasked with making sure domestic matters ran smoothly. While men were in charge of politics in Indian tribes, women made all household decisions and were given the right to vote in the community.
Modern Huron Indians live in similar dwellings to other people: houses, condos, and trailers. The Huron Indians of yesteryear lived in fortified walled villages, consisting of long houses. The longhouses were up to 150 feet (45.7 m) long and housed up to 60 people. Today the traditional structures are used for ceremonial purposes.
Wyandot Indian culture was focused on trade. The Hurons acted as intermediaries for many of the Indian nations of the eastern United States. While normally a peaceful people, the Huron Indians often fought with the Iroquois Indian nations. Men and women filled their time with hunting and farming, travel and storytelling, and arts and crafts such as pottery and weaving.
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