Allow me to begin by stating that I am only vaguely familiar with the history of the native people of Nebraska as I begin this page of the Colfax County, Nebraska Trails to the Past website. I have been careful to ensure that all sources are easy to find and utilize for further research. This page is intended as a historical summary only, and certainly should not be used as a primary reference. Please feel free to contribute any information you may have on this topic by contacting me. I thank you for your understanding as I venture into this vast and very new subject. ~ Jen Baldwin, Site Administrator |
The predominant tribe in the Colfax County area appears to be the Omaha and Pawnee. Native American Nations website indicates that in 1854, there were between 900 and 1,000 Omaha on their reservation; and the Pawnee numbered between four and five thousand (http://www.nanations.com/nebraska-indians.htm#Omaha). Both appear to have warred extensively with the Sioux.
**Be sure to visit the Native American Trails site provided by Trails to the Past**
Native American Tribal Map
- "Native American Tribes in Nebraska" provided by www.wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_tribes_in_Nebraska)
- Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
- Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma... make sure to see their history section.
- Omaha Indian Heritage.. this site has several very interesting articles from the 1800's to current regarding the culture of the people, myths, sociaology, etc.
- Historical Sketch of the Omaha Tribe of Indians in Nebraska, from Access Genealogy
- NebraskaStudies.org Pawnee Tribe
- Native American Legends: The Pawnee Indians - Farmers on the Plains
- "Histories and Stories of Nebraska: The Pawnees" by Addison Erwin Sheldon, Produced by Connie Snyder
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| "Omaha Chiefs" 1866 | "Homme connu, Iba Hambi. Son of a chief. 25 years old. Married, two children." (Omaha, 1883) | Tribal territories of Omaha and other tribes. | "Mrs. Elizabeth McClary" (Omaha, 1910) |
| http://omahatribe.unl.edu/photos/1850-1870/index.html | http://omahatribe.unl.edu/photos/1880/RG3143-10a.html | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_tribes_in_Nebraska | http://omahatribe.unl.edu/photos/1910/RG1289-18-10.html |
 | Pawnee Nation Flag The miniature stars and stripes of the blue field symbolizes America. The Plains Indian tribes called the Pawnee "Wolves" because of their cunning and courage. Thus, the emblem of the Wolf, which also meant to the Pawnees, "Chaticks Si Chaticks", Men of Men. Crossed on the blue field is a peace pipe and tomahawk. The peace pipe standing for peace the tomahawk for war. Below are eight arrowheads emblematic of teh wars in which the Paness fought in the service of their country; the Idian wars, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. The flag means Pawnee Indians, in peace and war, are always courageous and loyal to America. Designed by Brummett EchoHawk. http://www.pawneenation.org/history | ||
Article entitled The Indian Border War of 1876, from the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, written
by Cynthia J. Capron and originally published by University of Illinois
Press in Jan. 1921 (Vol. 13, No. 4), pp. 476 - 503.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/40186797
Johnson's History of the State of Nebraska
provides several chapters on Native American history, as seen from the
perspective of the new settlers. Written by Harrison Johnson,
originally published by Henry Gibson of the Herald Printing House,
Omaha, Neb; 1880.
Made available online by Google Books.
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