The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Cassie Tritthart

Westminster College
Native American Spirituality in Ottawa County, Oklahoma

"My ancestors didn't come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat." --Will Rogers, Cherokee Philosopher

The history of Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is very unique because nine Native American tribes claim the county as their official headquarters. After relocation from North Carolina, the Cherokee were the first to inhabit the area. During the Civil War, however, complications between the Cherokee government and the federal government erupted. The Cherokee government officially sided with the South. When the North prevailed, the Cherokee were punished by the federal government for fighting against the North in the war. The northern half of what is now Ottawa County, Oklahoma, was divided up and allotted to nine other tribes that were to be relocated to Indian Territory.

Eight of the tribes still have active governments in Ottawa County, including: the Modoc, the Quapaw, the Seneca-Cayuga, the Wyandotte, the Eastern Shawnee, the Miami, the Ottawa, and the Peoria. One of the divisions of the Shawnee tribe that was originally relocated to the area has now dissolved. The Cherokee Nation's northern-most boarder is located in the southern half of Ottawa County. Since the nine tribes were forced to live next to each other, even before Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907, the tribes have shared and adopted neighboring tribal culture. Excluding the Cherokee Nation, the other eight tribes formed the Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. to remain federally recognized; however, no tribal member from any tribe is excluded from attending an event held in the county. The bond between the tribes is unique and not duplicated in any other area of the United States.

I grew up in Miami, Oklahoma, which is the county seat of Ottawa County. My life up until college was spent living among tribal members of all the local tribes, including my own tribe the Cherokee. I am researching all nine tribes currently occupying Ottawa County, Oklahoma. The research will include a brief profile and a response by tribal elders and historians to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

Coming soon!