Arkansas has a rich Native American history. The state was home to numerous tribes for thousands of years before colonization by Europeans, and the culture and wisdom of Arkansas’ original inhabitants has had a lasting legacy on The Natural State. In this article, we’ll delve into the history of Native Americans in Arkansas, the impact of the Trail of Tears, and some educational sites and museums you can visit to learn more about this rich cultural heritage.
History of Native Americans in Arkansas
Native Americans have inhabited Arkansas for over 14,000 years. The earliest people were nomadic hunters and gatherers, following herds of large animals and collecting plants for sustenance. Between 9500 and 650 BC, after the last Ice Age, Arkansas tribes began to establish more permanent villages. They transitioned to a lifestyle that included farming crops such as corn, beans, and squash. Hunting mastodon and elk was common as well (it seems the hunting history of the state is age-old). By 900AD, the era of the Mississippian Tribes, natives were constructing large dirt work projects and living in communities with dozens of homes in the Mississippi River Delta. These works can still be seen at Plum Bayou Mounds State Park.
Clash With the Europeans
The history of Native Americans after the arrival of Europeans is a bleak one. It’s a turbulent story of violent wars, betrayal, expulsion, and in some cases genocide. However, it’s a story that bears repeating. Like the horrors of the Holocaust, Pol Pot’s regime, or the Rwandan genocides, the treatment of Native North Americans in the early years of the United States government is a blot on human history… one we do not want to repeat.
The Primary Tribal Groups of Arkansas
For simplicity’s sake, I’ve referred to the tribes below by their Anglicized names in modern times, as they’re more commonly used in textbooks and conversation. However, it’s important to know that each tribe has a traditional name for their people that differs from those listed. Also, each of these designated tribes has ancient ancestral roots that may include more than one people group, with varying names, that evolved throughout antiquity.
The Quapaw
The Quapaw resided along the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas. They were recognized for their exceptional pottery and river-based way of life. The Quapaw were skilled farmers, hunters, and fishermen. Their society was grouped into clans through the male lineage. For religious ceremonies, the clans were divided into two groups: The Sky People and The Earth People. Communities were organized in longhouses that housed several extended families.
Fun Fact: The Marquette-Jolliet French exploration team from Canada first encountered the tribe in 1673. The French were invited to the village of Kappa, north of the Arkansas River’s mouth. They participated in a ceremony involving a calumet, or peace pipe, and a trade alliance was formed. The French called the Quapaws the “Arkansas,” after the Illini word for “People of the South Wind.”
Post-Colonization
In 1686, fur trader Henri de Tonti established a trading post at the Quapaw village of Osotouy. It’s now the site of the Arkansas Post National Memorial.
By the early 19th century, disease and war had devastated the Quapaw population. They were forced into treaties that relocated them to northeastern Louisiana and later to Indian Territory. Today, the elected Quapaw Business Council leads the tribe in Quapaw, Oklahoma.
The Caddo
The Caddo tribe lived in the southwestern region of Arkansas. They were known for their advanced farming techniques and intricate pottery. The Caddo built large beehive homes as wide as 60 feet in diameter. They also developed a complex social and political structure led by a chieftain called the Caddi. Matrilineal extended families often lived together in the large huts. Women were in charge of weaving, cooking, and clothing, and men performed hunting and religious rites. Both sexes were normally recipients of intricate tattoos.
Post-Colonization
The Caddo were expelled from their land in the late 18th century, officially losing the deed in the 1835 Treaty. The tribe now mostly lives in Oklahoma near the town of Binger.
The Osage
The Osage were known as skilled hunters and warriors. Though primarily residing in present-day southern Missouri, the Osage often hunted in northern Arkansas and fiercely defended that territory. Hunting was essential for providing clothing, food, and materials. The men hunted buffalo as far away as Nebraska and Kansas during the summer.
The Osage believed in a spirit force called Wakondah, divided their society into Sky People and Earth People, and lived in rectangular bark-covered dwellings similar to Quapaw longhouses. Their society was divided into five Patrilineal groups, each with its own village, overseen by elders called the Little Old Men. These men were much more highly honored than the name would suggest, undergoing an intensive life-long training program.
Post-Colonization
In 1808, the Osage signed the Treaty of Fort Clark. It required them to give up much of their territory in Missouri and northern Arkansas. By the 1830s, the Osage were forced to move to Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma.
That wasn’t the end of the persecution though. The Osage struck liquid gold, and their nation was enjoying hefty oil revenues in the early 1900s. That’s until several members of the Osage tribe were killed in mysterious ways, resulting in outsiders inheriting their rights. The book and subsequent movie: Killers of the Flower Moon details this horrific story. Somehow, they have maintained their cultural heritage and have a vital community, with their tribal government based in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
The Cherokee
In the late 1700s, The Cherokee Tribe moved into present-day Arkansas due to pressure from European settlers in their homelands in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. This migration led to conflicts with the Osage tribe.
Fort Smith was established in part to manage Osage attacks on the Cherokee. By the early 1800s, about 3,000 Cherokees lived along the St. Francis River in northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas River in Pope County.
Post-Colonization
The 1838-39 forced relocation, known as the Trail of Tears, moved many Cherokees to Oklahoma, where their headquarters are now in Tahlequah. Pea Ridge National Park tells the story of Stand Watie and preserves part of the Trail of Tears route. Despite past hardships, the Cherokee Nation continues to preserve and revive its cultural heritage in Oklahoma.
Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole
These tribes were not originally from Arkansas but traveled through the state during the forced removal. The Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole were forcibly relocated from their homelands in the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in the 1830s.
The Trail of Tears
As we’ve already discussed, most of the original tribal land in Arkansas was lost in (mostly forced) treaties in the 1800s. In May of 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, declaring new lands for tribes west of The Mississippi. Starting in the winter of 1831, the U.S. government forcibly removed many Native American tribes from the eastern United States, relocating them to what is now Oklahoma. This forced migration was arduous and devastating, with many individuals enduring severe hardships and even death along the way. The death toll estimates range from 13-16,000.
The Trail of Tears is a national trail with several routes running across Arkansas. It specifically commemorates the Cherokee Nation and their path. It’s a harrowing memorial of the darkest chapters in American history. You can now visit markers from the Trail of Tears all across AR (hold tight).
Educational Native American Sites in Arkansas to Visit
Now that we’ve covered the basics of Native American history in Arkansas, let’s dive into some of the best sites and museums you can explore to learn more about our Indian past. Here are some noteworthy locations:
1. Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park
Formally known as Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, Plum Bayou is one of Arkansas’s most significant archeological sites. It’s one of four National Historic Landmarks in Arkansas and an active dig site. Located near Scott, this site was inhabited by the Plum Bayou culture between 600 and 1050 CE. The park features several large earthen mounds used for ceremonial purposes and possibly as residences for leaders.
Location: 490 Toltec Mounds Road Scott, AR 72142
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 8 AM-5 PM; Sunday, 1 PM-5 PM; Closed Monday & Tuesday
Visitors can walk along the trails, observe the mounds, and explore the museum, which houses artifacts explaining the Plum Bayou culture. The park also offers guided kayak and walking tours and educational programs.
2. National Parks Service Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Sites.
The Trail of Tears covered most of the central portion of Arkansas, and there are five state parks that are located on the routes: Lake Dardanelle, Mount Nebo, Petit Jean, Pinnacle Mountain, and Village Creek.
- Village Creek includes one of the most intact portions of the route on the Old Military Road Trail.
- Petit Jean’s hiking trails are laced with bluff shelters that were used by hunter and nomad groups for centuries. You can see pictographs on the ceiling of Rock House Cave. You can also view a portion of the Trail of Tears from Stout’s Point.
- At Lake Dardanelle, there are exhibits in the riverfront park explaining the removal of native tribes by both land and water.
Outside of these state parks, there are dozens of other Trail of Tears National Historical Trail sites throughout Arkansas, including Pea Ridge National Military Park, Cadron Settlement Park, and Fitzgerald Station. To explore them all, check out the interactive map!
3. Parkin Archeological State Park
Parkin Archeological State Park was once a prominent village of the Mississippian culture, inhabited from 1000 to 1550 CE. The site includes a mound that likely served as the village center. There’s evidence that the great Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his team visited the site in 1541.
Location: 60 Arkansas Highway 184 Parkin, AR 72373
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 8 AM-5 PM; Sunday, 1-5 PM
The visitor center features exhibits showcasing the daily life of the inhabitants, including pottery, tools, and jewelry. The park also has walking trails and an interpretive center for visitors to learn more about the site’s history.
4. Hampson Archeological Museum State Park
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park in Wilson focuses on the Nodena site, a large village from the Mississippian period. The terraced site focuses on the agricultural society that thrived there from 1400-1650.
Location: 33 Park Avenue Wilson, AR 72395
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 8 AM-5 PM; Sunday 1-5 PM
The museum is located on the Wilson Town Square and displays a collection of artifacts preserved by Dr. James K. Hampson, providing insight into the lives of these early Arkansans. It displays pottery, tools, and other daily life artifacts. The museum also offers occasional educational programs and special events.
5. Arkansas Post National Memorial
Arkansas Post National Memorial, near Gillett, was a significant trading post and settlement. The Quapaw people inhabited the area long before European settlers arrived, but in 1686, Henri de Tonti established “Poste de Arkansea” an early French settlement. The riverfront location was highly contested between the British, Spanish, French, and Natives. By the time of the Civil War, the site was the largest city in the area and the first capital of the Arkansas Territory. The memorial covers the history of the Quapaw and their interactions with French and Spanish explorers.
Location: 1741 Old Post Road Gillett, AR 72055
Hours: Park is open daily, 7 AM-Sunset. The Visitor Center is open Thursday-Monday, 08:30 AM-5 PM.
Explore the exhibits in the Visitor Center or wander the walking trails lined with informative signs explaining the area’s historical significance.
Museums Dedicated to Native Americans in Arkansas
Aside from archaeological sites, there are a few fantastic museum spaces to visit in Arkansas to learn more about our Native American heritage. From elegant pottery to pieces of warfare, these cultural institutions display important artifacts and are staffed with incredible experts who not only provide guided tours and special events but are also on hand for any questions you have during your visit.
1. Museum of Native American History (MONAH)
The Museum of Native American History in Bentonville offers an extensive collection of artifacts from several Native American cultures across North America, including those from Arkansas. The museum’s exhibits include more than 10,000 artifacts spanning over 28,000 years. The collection includes Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, and Pre-Columbian artifacts. Admission is free, and it’s an absolutely wonderful museum (one of many in Bentonville)!
Location: 202 SW O St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 AM-5 PM
The website also has a great archaeological blog and informative newsletter that are great educational resources!
2. Sequoyah National Research Center
The Sequoyah National Research Center is located at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. It’s the largest assembly of Native American writings and art in the world! It houses an extensive archive of newspapers, manuscripts, and photographs.
Location: 2801 S. University Ave, Fine Arts Building, Room 156, Little Rock, AR 72204
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM
Visitors can access the center’s resources for research and educational purposes. The center also hosts exhibitions and public programs related to Native American history and culture.
3. Historic Arkansas Museum
This museum is located on a historic block in Little Rock with some of the oldest buildings in the area. It includes an 1850s Farmstead and galleries filled with indigenous art. The museum mostly focuses on pre-Civil War Arkansas and includes a permanent exhibit called “We Walk in Two Worlds: The Caddo, Osage & Quapaw in Arkansas.”
Location: 200 E. Third Street Little Rock, AR 72201
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, Sunday 1 PM-5 PM
This collection is really unique in that the coordinators conducted numerous interviews with indigenous tribal leaders, and the collection has a strong Native voice.
4. Arkansas State University Museum
The Arkansas State University Museum includes an exhibit called “Portals of the Soul: Ancient Peoples of Northeast Arkansas.” It details the first civilization in Arkansas with pottery, copper, and stone artifacts.
Location: 320 University Loop West Jonesboro, AR 72401
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM
The exhibit delves into the mythical creation of the universe in ancient tradition, amongst other spiritual components such as spirit realms and portals. While you’re at the museum, you can also take a peek at the Crowley’s Ridge Mastodon skeleton!
Native Americans in Arkansas-Final Thoughts
Whew…that was a lot of info! Who knew Arkansas had so much Native American history on display? The indigenous history of the state is deep and multifaceted. Visiting these educational sites and museums can enhance your understanding of the cultures, traditions, and resilience of Arkansas’ original inhabitants. These locations provide a window into the past and underscore the significant contributions of Native Americans to Arkansas’ history. We are blessed to have them, so let’s take full advantage and go explore this summer!
Native American museums are awesome, but they aren’t the only great cultural institutions in Arkansas. For a full list of fabulous facilities, check out “The Best Arkasnas Museums for a Cultural Family Fun Day!”
Maybe you are already an expert on Arkansas natives, but we bet you don’t know all these Arkansas Fun Facts!