The Miami Indians of Indiana: A Persistent People, 1654-1994 (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE FIRST EUROPEAN CONTACT WITH THE MIAMI occurred about 1654 when two French explorers, the famed Pierre-Esprit Radisson and his businessman brother-in-law, Medard Chouart, sieur..." (more)
Key Phrases: hidden community, federal status, federal recognition, Indiana Miami, Fort Wayne, Indians of Indiana (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . an admirable work." -- Ohio History

"Unquestionably the most comprehensive history of the Miami people I've ever seen." -- R. David Edmunds, Indiana University

Product Description

The book explores the history and culture of the Miami Indians, who have fought for many years to gain tribal status from the U.S. government. This volume will appeal to a general audience as well as serious students of tribal history interested in the experience of a North American Indian tribal community over three and a half centuries.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Indiana Historical Society (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871951320
• ISBN-13: 978-0871951328
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #848,307 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Description, September 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Miami Indians of Indiana: A Persistent People, 1654-1994 (Hardcover)

Now scattered in small communities in Northern Indiana, the Eastern Miami Indians have lived in undeserved obscurity since the 1840s. In 1791 Chief Little Turtle and the Miami inflicted the worst defeat ever of an American army by Indians. The Miami ceded most of Indiana in a series of treaties beginning after the War of 1812. Chief Richardville led Miami resistence to removal which finally took place in 1846. Half of the Miami tribe was exempted and many more returned from Kansas Territory to rebuild the home community. The Indiana Miami negotiated a new treaty in 1854 that guaranteed their way of life and slowly adapted to late 19th century American society. Hunting, fishing and casual labor continued as they had in the past, while some children were sent to far off federal Indian schools. Others began working for the many circuses that wintered in Peru, Indiana, beginning in the 1880s. Legal tragedy struck the tribe in 1897 when their treaty rights were abruptly terminated. Their effort to regain status under federal Indian law has involved them intimately in twentieth-century American Indian history. In recent years, the Indiana Miami have become more visible as they have again sought restoration of their treaty rights and have revitalized their culture. The first history of the Eastern Miami tribe, this volume is a fascinating combination of social, legal, and economic history, much enhanced by folklore and a rich series of maps and photographic images.

Stewart Rafert is adjunct professor of history at the University of Delaware.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Book, January 28, 2001

By A Customer

This book held my attention as it took me on a fascinating journey, I recommend this book to every american, it is a incredible insight in history.