The Pawnee Indians were a powerful Great Plains nation until the 1800s when disease and conflict decimated their population. They were traditionally a matriarchal society, with four different tribes. They were forced onto a reservation in Nebraska and later relocated to Oklahoma, where they operate a self-government and various businesses, including two casinos.
The Pawnee Indians are a group of Native Americans traditionally located in the Nebraska region of the United States. They were one of the most powerful Great Plains Indian nations until the 1800s, when their numbers were decimated by disease and conflict. Today they are based in Pawnee, Oklahoma and operate a self-government and various businesses including two casinos.
According to archaeological research, the Pawnee Indians established the village life pattern around 1250 AD. They were positioned around rivers in the Nebraska region. Families of 30 to 50 gathered in lodges, large structures supported by poles. Each village had about 10-15 households, with a population of about 500.
In the past, the Pawnee Indians were a matriarchal society. Women controlled the way of life and were highly influential in political decisions. The older women were responsible for the education of the children, while the younger women did most of the work in the tribal area. Men were generally warriors and hunters. Women would make decisions about tribal society and resources, while males would handle all matters regarding warfare, hunting, and religion.
The Pawnee Indians consisted of four different tribes: Chaui, Kitahahki, Pitahauerat and Skidi. Traditionally, these divergent groups were at peace and maintained agreements with each other. Despite their commonalities, however, each band fared on their own with little influence from the others. As European contacts were made, these tribes began working together for self-preservation.
The earliest known contact between the Pawnee and Europeans was with the Spanish during an expedition by Francisco Coronado to what is now Nebraska in 1541. Over the next two centuries, very little relationship existed between the two. During the French and Indian War, the Pawnee Indians allied with the French in an attempt to halt Spanish expansion into the area.
The 1800s saw a steep decline in the Pawnee Indian population due to disease. Europeans and Siouan Native Americans spread measles, cholera, and smallpox; as the Pawnee had no immunity, they were nearly decimated. Nearly two-thirds of the population was killed over the course of 30 years, leaving an estimated 3,000 people. This gave the US government the opportunity to force the survivors onto a reservation in Nebraska in 1859. They were further relocated to Oklahoma in 1874, eventually killing even more of the population, leaving 633 known tribal members by 1900.
In 1964, the US government finally reached an agreement with the Pawnee Nation regarding the illegal removal and seizure of lands. The survivors received over $7,000,000 US Dollars (USD). Today, the Pawnee Indians operate a form of self-government and participate in inter-tribal meetings and discussions with the Wichita Indians.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
