Enter the White Settlers
Land Loss
In 1825 many Native American tribes from Northwest Missouri (including the Otoe-Missouria and Sac and Fox), met with William Clark to sign the Prairie du Chien Treaty. In this treaty, the tribes gave up their land. Minimal compensation was given in return.
Soon after was the signing of the Platte Purchase in 1836, all of Northwest Missouri was officially signed to white settlers. The tribes were forced to relocate and were given $2,000 for compensation. Based on current land estimates, that is nearly $407 million less than what the land is worth now.
Searching Through the Archives
Cultural Suppression
Historically, many indigenous tribes did not have a written language. However, with no written historical accounts, all that remained of many tribes' cultures, following the devastation wrought by European colonization, were the fragments of their oral history.
Many indigenous children experienced a forced-forgetting of their Native language while at English boarding schools. As a result, many native languages are currently endangered. These oral histories by Sac and Fox tribal members illustrate the effects of cultural suppression on Native identity.
Forced Relocation
These arrows illustrate the forced movement of the Otoe-Missouri and Sac and Fox during the 20th century. Oklahoma is now home to many other Indigenous tribes that previously inhabited northwest Missouri, including the Shawnee, Pawnee, and Ioway.
Yellow: Otoe-Missouiria
Red: Sac and Fox
