The Illinois, aka Illiniwek & Illini: A Chronicle of Power, Demise, and Women's Roles.

The narrative of The Illinois, aka Illiniwek or Illini, unfolds like a saga, etched against the backdrop of the Illinois country. Once a thriving confederacy, they rose to prominence, endured hardship, and ultimately witnessed the decline of their civilization. This interwoven account incorporates various threads, traversing from their early encounters with Europeans to the internal dynamics of Illiniwek society, with a particular focus on women's crucial role.

MEETING OF MARQUETTE AND JOLLIET WITH THE ILLINIWEK TRIBES.

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The Illinois  is pronounced as plural: [The Illinois'] was a Confederacy of Indian Tribes consisting of the Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Peoria, Tamarais (Tamaroa, Tamarois), Moingwena, Mitchagamie (Michigamea), Chepoussa, Chinkoa, Coiracoentanon, Espeminkia, Maroa, and Tapouara tribes that were of the Algonquin family. They spoke Iroquoian languages. The Illinois called themselves "Ireniouaki" (the French word was Ilinwe). All the tribes seemed to work together without issue. 

Our story commences with the Grand Village of La Vantum, a bustling metropolis teeming with 6,000 Illiniwek inhabitants. Nestled strategically along the Illinois River, this community thrived. The French explorers Marquette and Jolliet emerged as the first Europeans to set foot in La Vantum in 1673. Chief Chassagoac welcomed the newcomers warmly, exemplifying the Illiniwek's peaceful nature. This initial contact began a complex relationship between the Illiniwek and the Europeans, ultimately reshaping their history.

Before European arrival, the Illiniwek Confederacy, a powerful alliance of Algonquian-speaking tribes, dominated the region. However, the arrival of French missionaries and fur traders in the 17th century ushered in a period of immense change. The Illiniwek, unfortunately, bore the brunt of these transformations. Warfare and the introduction of diseases by the Europeans wreaked havoc on their communities. By the 1830s, a once-mighty confederacy had been reduced to a single village, their ancestral lands ceded to appease European encroachment. The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma stands today as the sole remnant of this formidable people.

Illinois Confederation

However, a closer look at the Illiniwek's history in the late 17th century reveals a more nuanced narrative than one of mere decline. Recent scholarship challenges the portrayal of the Illiniwek as a weak and passive people as depicted in early French accounts. Instead, evidence suggests they were a formidable force, strategically leveraging bison hunting and the slave trade to bolster their power. This revisionist perspective underscores the importance of decentering European narratives and foregrounding the agency of Indian groups in shaping their destinies.

A pivotal event that tragically altered the course of Illiniwek history unfolded in the village of La Vantum in 1680. A brutal massacre orchestrated by the Iroquois tribe left an indelible scar on the Illiniwek people. The Iroquois, harboring animosity towards the Illiniwek, descended upon La Vantum, unleashing a torrent of violence. French explorer Tonti, residing in the village alongside a contingent of priests and soldiers, became embroiled in the conflict. The Iroquois, mistaking the French for Illiniwek allies, subjected Tonti to torture. The massacre also claimed the lives of two priests, Fathers Gabriel and Zenobe. Countless Illiniwek people perished in the onslaught, while the survivors were forced to flee, forever displaced from their homeland.

To fully comprehend the Illiniwek Confederacy, we must delve into its foundation – the constituent tribes. The Peoria, Kaskaskia, and Cahokia were just a few prominent groups that united under the banner of the Illiniwek. Interestingly, the name "Illiniwek," signifying "the men," originated from their own designation. Upon encountering this powerful alliance, French explorers bestowed upon them the name Illinois, a moniker that has endured. The arrival of Marquette and Jolliet in 1673, the voyage etched a path down the Mississippi River, marked a significant chapter in the annals of European-Illiniwek interaction.

The narrative is complete by acknowledging women's critical role in Illiniwek society. While Illiniwek women were not traditionally involved in hunting or warfare, their contributions were essential. They shouldered the responsibility of gathering food, nurturing children, and managing the domestic sphere. Their influence extended beyond the household, as some women served as shamans and actively participated in specific ceremonies. Marriages within Illiniwek society adhered to a gift-giving system, and women possessed the remarkable right to divorce their husbands. Although societal norms placed men in a position of higher authority, Illiniwek women wielded considerable power within their designated domain.

The Illiniwek saga, a tapestry woven with threads of triumph and tribulation, stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit. From their initial encounters with Europeans to the internal dynamics of their society, their story offers valuable insights into a bygone era. By delving into the complexities of their history, we gain a deeper appreciation for the Illiniwek people and the indelible mark they left on the landscape of North America.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Buncombe, Illinois' Amazing Story.

Before European settlers arrived, the land that would become Buncombe, Illinois, was home to Indian tribes. Their presence shaped the landscape, influencing trails and the use of natural resources.

In the early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in Southern Illinois, drawn by farming opportunities and abundant timber. Johnson County was officially formed in 1812. Seeking to honor a piece of their past, some of these settlers arrived from Buncombe County, North Carolina, and gave their new home a familiar name.

The initial wave of settlers was likely drawn to the area's potential for farming and the proximity of natural resources like timber and, later, coal.

Forced Displacement.

The village of Buncombe holds a poignant place in the tragic history of the Trail of Tears. During the harsh winter of 1838-1839, hundreds of Indians were temporarily encamped at Buncombe, waiting for the frozen Mississippi River to thaw so they could continue to force the Indians to move westward.

In May 1830, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the Indian Removal Act that authorized the President of the United States to exchange land west of the Mississippi River for Indian land in the east and appropriated $500,000 ($16,866,000 in 2024) to assist tribes in the move west.

Illinois Trail of Tears Southern Illinois Route.

illinois trail of tears

At the beginning of the 1830s, nearly 125,000 Native Americans lived on millions of acres of land in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Florida, land their ancestors had occupied and cultivated for generations. By the end of the decade, very few Indians remained anywhere in the southeastern United States. Working on behalf of white settlers who wanted to grow cotton on the Indians land, the federal government forced them to leave their homelands and walk hundreds of miles to a specially designated “Indian Territory” on the west side of the Mississippi River. This difficult and oftentimes deadly journey is known as the Trail of Tears.

 

All this occurred as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

The major detachments (groups) of Indians began moving through Illinois in November 1838. The extremely cold winter conditions slowed their progress significantly and exacerbated the suffering they endured. 

While the overall Trail of Tears encompasses routes through nine states, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma (Indian Territory), and Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma (Indian Territory), and Tennessee, the Southern Illinois segment is known as the Northern Route.

Passage through Illinois continued from January through March 1839, with some groups delayed until spring due to the frozen Mississippi River.

Approximately 100,000 Indians were forcibly moved. An estimated 10,000-15,000 Cherokee traveled the Northern Route in various groups. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Indians died in Illinois, including Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole people.

The Bridges family tavern and wayside store became a point of interaction during this time.  Buncombe witnessed the transformative influence of the railroad over time. Its arrival brought new opportunities but also caused some towns to up and move the whole town to new locations to be close to the railroad. Some villages and towns built a depot in exchange for making them a regular stop on the line.

Education has always been important in Buncombe. The Liberty Presbyterian Church, founded around 1850, first held services in a schoolhouse near the town. Buncombe High School served the community until its closure in 1943, but Buncombe Grade School continues to educate the town's youth. Other churches, like Salem Church (later to become the Methodist Episcopal Church of Buncombe), were also founded as the village grew.

In 1871, the township's name was formalized, with Buncombe Township being one of them. The arrival of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad spurred further growth for this small town. Caesar Cohn became an early merchant, and by 1916, Buncombe was incorporated as a village.

While it retains its small-town charm, present-day Buncombe, population 208 (2023), stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit of its founders. Its complex history is marked by interactions with the Cherokee, a resilient community, and enduring respect for education. 

The Yard Skull, Buncombe, Illinois

This unique yard decoration is cemented next to a garage building at a private residence. My husband has owned it since 1992. 

"I married the owner, so the skull came with him. Anyone is welcome to stop by. We get a lot of passersby who stop and take pictures of it. Some leave their vehicles to take each other's picture beside it." (S. Ramsey, 2009)

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.