Quapaw Tribe of Indians

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According to tribal legend, “when the life force of the universe first called into earth, the ancient forebears of the Quapaw people were adrift in the froth of the sea. In time, they say, the breath of the sky set them ashore on the glistening coast.” Tradition, as well as historical and archeological evidence says that these tribes of people were wandering the Ohio Valley well before the 15th century. The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, also known as the O-Gah-Pah, or several other translations of the word which in general terms means “downstream people” or the “ones from downstream”, along with their Dhegiha Sioux kinsmen (the Osage, Ponca, Kansa, and Omaha) attained a cultural level of excellence that was only surpassed by the tribes in central Mexico and Peru. The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, history, culture, values, strength, and perseverance have allowed them to stay united as a tribe and sets them apart from other Indian tribes, although they deserve a better fate (Baird “The Quapaw People” 2).
As mentioned in the introduction, the Quapaw tribe did not originate in northeastern Oklahoma. They in fact, were first known to be in the Ohio River Valley, which consists of several states in the northeastern United States. The first historical reports of the Quapaw Tribe were noted in the DeSoto Expedition of 1539-1543 (Thompson 360). Historians are unsure as to when the Quapaws actually settled in the lower Mississippi Valley and Arkansas River Valleys. Some believe that they may have not settled in these areas until the mid-seventeenth century, but others say that evidence they have found contradicts that information. One source says the Quapaw Indians lived in four villages near the Arkansas and Mississippi River and were first contact...

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...is outstanding memory, not only could he remember his ancestors’ names twelve generations back, but he could also tell you almost every member of the Quapaw tribe that had been alive for the prior one hundred years. Tall Chief died in 1918 and is buried at his allotment near Spring River.
The Quapaw Tribe of Indians, history, culture, values, strength, and perseverance have allowed them to stay united as a tribe and sets them apart from other Indian tribes, although they deserve a better fate. It is my belief, that it is the Quapaw Indians values, strength, and perseverance that have gotten them to where they are today. I am thankful for the Quapaw Tribe and the unification that they have. I have many great memories being raised by a Quapaw man and their traditions and values have stuck with him, as he works hard and never gives up hope, just as the Quapaws did.

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