CHAPTER VII.
OF t h e n a t iv e t r i b e s i n t h e i n t e r i o r o f n o r t h
AMERICA B E TW E E N . THE M IS S IS S IP P I AND TH E CHAIN
OF TH E ROCKY M OU N TA IN S.
Section I.;—General Statement.
The native races of the interior of North America are briefly
enumerated by Mr. Gallatin under the following heads. %
T. The great family of the Sioux, or nations who speak
languages akin to the Dahcota or Nawdowessies* ■ These
tribes were thought by Ileckewelder to have a remote affinity
to the Iroquois or Six Nations. By Mr. Gallatin they are
set down as a distinct race.
2. The Pawnees on the River Platte, who speak a language
altogether different from that of the Sioux or any other
Americans known to us, unless that-of the Panis or Tow-
iaches of Red River should be found the same. They consist
of two nations, the Pawnees proper, and the Ricaras ot
Arieas, sometimes called the Black Pawnees.
3 & 4. The Fall Indians and the Rapid or Paunch Indians,
improperly called§ Minetarees of the prairie, two wandering
and purely hunting nations, who have their principal seats
on the south fork of the Saskachawan.
5- The Black-feet, one of the most powerful and numerous
nations of North America. They are intimately
connected with the Rapid Indians, but speak a distinct language.
The tribes called Paegans or. Blood Indians are subdivisions
of the Black-feet.
6. Various tribes formerly included under the designation
of Paducas, who wander between the upper waters of the
Platte and the Red River, west of;the Pawnees and of the
Kansas and Osages. The two last are branches of the Sioux
nation. In that department’ of which,little is known, the
following, nations are mentioned by Mr. Gallatin: -h* 1. Pani^
or Towiaches of Red River ; 2. Hietans or Cumanches> in the
Mexican dominions; 3. Kaskaias or Bad Hearts; 4. Keawas
or Kiowaysi; ;5. the Bald Heads. :
Section I l . - r -O f the Sioux.
The Sioux are probablyrthe most.muffierqus as they are the
most widely extended , race in the interior of North America.
They were known at an teady period, to tMerCanadian settlers/
and are .described by French writersI as fcrming^one of the
greatest nations of the New World. “ The Sioux,” says
Charlevoix, “ are. the most numerous,people in New Franjs^l
Nobodyjbibws.how far they»extend. The^dw^l-commcpliy
in meadows' under large tents madeLof skins, which are very
well wrought, arid. live , on wild oats, which -grow in great
plenty in their meadows, and by hunting the buffalo. They
have no fixed abode, but travel in $great compa-mes • dike the.
Tartars,^never stopping in any' placestlonge.n than they are
detained'.by therchaset”* Late inquires iritei the history of
Alpirimn languages, have shown that"several,tribes,are-allied
to the Sioux race who were^formerly regarded as distinct
nations.*!'
The whole family of the Sioux nations is divided by Mr.
Gallatin into four departments or separate-stems. These; are*
li Whiebagos; 2. the Sioux proper or Dah&qtas* and the
Assiniboins3. the Minetari and tribes allied to- them;
4. the Osages and other kindred tribes imSouthern Louisiana.*'
1. The Winebagos, known by that name among the Engf.
* Charlevoix, i. p. 28,0,
•+ Heckewelder indeed says that the languages of the Sioux aaqjthe Iroquois
are cognate: this,' h6 says, is* quits evident on the c o m o f Vocabularies!
It tS difficult its* form an opinio^bfrthis^subjhct from ffielipefciih.€hs’’bf; languages
yet published.11 It does not appear, torhave been,Mr. Gallatiru’s opinion^
that the languages of the Sioux are connected with the Iroquois. ,