Piqua Shawnee

The Piqua Shawnee Tribe is one of five divisions of the larger Shawnee tribe, which was a settlement of Native American peoples dating back to the seventeenth century (possibly further). The Shawnee tribe originally settled in Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, and western Pennsylvania, although they were forced to spread due to conflict over the course of history. The Piqua Shawnee tribe currently has approximately 300 official members and is recognized by the states of Alabama, Kentucky, and Ohio. The Alabama Indian Affairs Commission officially recognized the Piqua Shawnee tribe on July 10th, 2001.

The Shawnee tribe began to migrate from their central location in Ohio and Alabama around 1670, due to many factors, including the Iroquois Wars. Some ancestors of the current Piqua Shawnee tribe permanently settled in Alabama during this time. Many of the Shawnee settlements during this time were actually very near to modern Alabama towns and cities. Later on, many Shawnees fought with the French in the French and Indian War, which resulted in the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1768, which the Shawnees did not agree to (it was negotiated by the Iroquois). The Treaty was intended to draw a line between the British colonies and the Indian Territory, but it gave the British claim to Kentucky and West Virginia, which resulted in conflict. This eventually led to their territory being given to the settlers, and tribe leaders encouraged their members to reject the ways of the whites and stick to their traditions. Conflict between the Shawnees and the American government lasted until the mid-19th century, and the Shawnee continued to migrate during this time to avoid the violence. The Shawnee continued to fight with William Henry Harrison, who was governor of the territory of Indiana at the time, and his men. Two prominent Shawnee leaders also emerged during this time: Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa, both of whom lead the Shawnee in battles against the white settlers. The Ohio Shawnee eventually ceded their land to the United States in exchange for three reservations.

The modern day descendants of the original Piqua Shawnee tribe have varying family backgrounds. Many laid low instead of being moved to reservations, escaping to the mountains or living in quiet rural areas where they were unlikely to be found by the government. The tribe today has members mainly in Alabama, but also throughout other parts of North America, due to the mass migration of many Shawnees throughout history. The t