Indians Native to Ohio

Delaware Indians

The Delaware Indians are best known for their roles in the Revolutionary War and the war of 1812. Several factions of the Delaware tribe lived in eastern Ohio. After the wars of the 18th and 19th centuries, Europeans forced the Delaware Indians west out of Delaware and Ohio.

The Shawnee Indians were driven from the Cumberland Valley and into Ohio prior to the historical period by early forms of the Chickasaw and Cherokee. Later, the Shawnee migrated into the northern part of Ohio where they were joined by eastern and western bands. Northern Ohio was dominated by the Shawnee from around 1714 until their migration to the western plains.

The Ottawa Indians settled in Northern Ohio after migrating from Ottawa British Columbia. These Indians formed alliances with the French and British at various times. The Ottawa traded furs at British trading posts, which is why their alliance with the British held strong. The most famous Ottawa Indian was Pontiac. Before the tribe's alliance with the British, Pontiac led a rebellion against the European invaders. The rebellion was put down and Pontiac later led the Ottawa against the Americans in the Revolutionary war.

In the western and northwestern parts of Ohio, the Miami tribe remained after all other tribes had migrated out. The Miami are believed to be an assimilated tribe consisting of Shawnee, Ottawa and Delaware Indians. The Miami were allied with the French until the French and Indian war, but after the British defeated the French, the Miami became trade partners with the British. The Miami fought against Americans during and after the Revolutionary War.