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Long before European contact, the Ohio River Valley was inhabited by Indigenous peoples

Two major cultures in the region were the Adena and Hopewell

These societies were highly sophisticated, known for:

Building elaborate earthworks

Maintaining extensive trade networks across North America

A key example of their achievements is the Great Serpent Mound in present-day Adams County, Ohio

This earthwork reflects their advanced architectural and deep knowledge

StateParks.com (2025). Serpent Mound Historical Site. https://www.greatserpentmound.com/

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A photo of the modern-day Serpent Mound in Adams County, OH

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The Miami people were a dominant Indigenous tribe in what is now Southwest Ohio.

They were known for:

Agricultural expertise

Strategic control of major waterways

Their influence extended across the region.

They had important settlements near present-day Dayton and Cincinnati.

Lodge, D. (1997, December). Miami Indians. Shelby County Historical Society

https://www.shelbycountyhistory.org/schs/indians/miamiindians.htm

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An illustration of Natives & Colonists interacting 

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Migration: The Shawnee began moving into the Ohio Valley region

Settlement: Established numerous villages along the Ohio River and its tributaries

Military Strength: Known for strong military traditions and strategic defense

Political Structure: Maintained a sophisticated and organized political system

Regional Influence: Became one of the most powerful tribes in the Ohio Valley

Leer, M. (n.d.). The History and Culture of the Shawnee Tribe. HistoryDefined, https://www.historydefined.net/the-shawnee-tribe/

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Map depicting the Shawnee migration in the late 1600s

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Migration Path: Moved into Ohio after displacement from eastern homelands by European settlers

Settlement Area: Established communities along the Muskingum River

Tribal Relations: Formed alliances with other Native tribes in the region

Diplomatic Role: Acted as mediators between Native groups and European powers

McClen, S. (2023, August 25). Delaware Tribe history, culture, and facts. History Keen. https://historykeen.com/delaware-tribe/

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Map depicting where the Delaware Tribe was before migrating to Ohio

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Parties Involved: Treaty between the British and the Iroquois

Land Cession: Transferred lands south of the Ohio River to British control

Tribal Displacement: Territories were occupied by other Native tribes, not the Iroquois

Resulting Tensions: Sparked conflict and resentment among displaced Native groups

Historical Consequence: Set the stage for future disputes and resistance in the region

Parmenter, J. (2025, January 28). The Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1768). Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/the-treaty-of-fort-stanwix-1768/

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Map showing the Treaty of Fort Stanwix boundary

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Groups Involved: Virginia colonists vs. Shawnee-led Indigenous alliance

Key Event: Battle of Point Pleasant

Outcome: Native groups were forced to cede hunting grounds south of the Ohio River

Regional Impact: Marked a major shift in power dynamics across the Ohio Valley

Sturm, P. (2024, February 9). Battle of Point Pleasant. e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/entries/1830

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Routes taken by Dunmore's northern and southern armies on route to the Battle of Point Pleasant

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Conflict Preceding Treaty: Followed the decisive U.S. victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

Treaty Outcome: Established the “Greenville Line,” a boundary dividing Native and U.S. lands

Land Cession: Forced many tribes to give up most of present-day Ohio

Tribal Signatories: Included leaders from the Miami, Shawnee, Delaware, Wyandot, and other tribes

Controversy: Many Native leaders viewed the treaty as coerced and unfavorable

Benington, D. K. (2019, August 5). The Battle of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greeneville [Historical marker]. Historical Marker Database. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=137524

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Federal Policy: President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced Native tribes to leave their homelands

Tribes Affected: Shawnee, Miami, Delaware, Ottawa, Wyandot, and Seneca were pushed out of Ohio

Departure Site: Many boarded steamboats from the Cincinnati riverfront

Destination: Relocated to unfamiliar lands in Kansas and Oklahoma

Journey Hardships: Families were separated, many became ill, and cultural landmarks were lost

Long-Term Impact: By the mid-1800s, nearly all Native communities had been removed from Ohio

Duerbeck, J. (2024, October 14). 1830s Indian Removal Act in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Parks. https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/news/1830s-indian-removal-act-in-cincinnati/

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Map of tribes heading westward after being removed due to the Indian Removal Act 

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Final Tribe: The Wyandot were the last major Native American tribe remaining in Ohio

Location: Lived in Upper Sandusky on the Grand Reserve

Forced Removal: In 1843, they were compelled to leave due to federal and state pressure

On Tuesday, July 11, 1843, the Wyandot wagon train left Upper Sandusky for Cincinnati, where they hired two steamboats, the Nodaway and Republic, to take them to Kansas City

Symbolic End: Their departure marked the end of Native American sovereignty in Ohio

Legacy: Though most were removed, some individuals and small groups remained or later returned

Wingo, R. S., Waters, G., Simpson, E., & University of Cincinnati Public History Graduate Students. (2022). Wyandot Removal Trail. ArcGIS StoryMaps. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/93550d92bf12422b9858b71c19339214

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Map of the route the Wyandot took after forced removal to Kansas City

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Tribal Status: No federally recognized tribes or reservations currently exist in Ohio

Continued Presence: Indigenous people still live in the Cincinnati area, preserving culture and history

Community Organizations:

Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition: Offers education, advocacy, and cultural events

Urban Native Collective: Provides support programs, fitness initiatives, and Indigenous Peoples Day events

Educational Leadership:

Miami University’s Myaamia Center: Revitalizes the Miami language and traditions through research and outreach

Recognition Efforts:

Indigenous Peoples Day: Officially celebrated in Cincinnati since 2018, thanks to activism by Native-led groups

Legacy and Resilience: Despite forced removal and cultural erasure, Native communities remain a vibrant part of the tri-state identity

Urban Native Collective. (n.d.). Urban Native Collective. https://urbannativecollective.org/

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A group at an Urban Native Collective event in Cincinnati 