When the French first encountered the Illini in the 17th century, they found a powerful confederation of tribes that included the Peoria, Wea, Piankashaw and Kaskaskia. The tribe relocated from Illinois to Missouri between 1818 and 1832, and a second move to Kansas soon followed. In 1854, in response to pressure from increased settlers reaching Kansas, the confederation formally unified to create the Peoria tribe. The tribe is still known by this name today and is centered in Oklahoma, where it relocated to in 1867.
The Dakota Sioux, or Santee, and their allies originally inhabited parts of northern Illinois and other lands around the Great Lakes. During the mid-17th century, the Sioux federation was gradually pushed out of its territory by the Ojibwa tribe. The tribe migrated to Minnesota, where they in turn pushed the Teton and Yankton into the Dakotas. The Sioux fiercely defended their territory during the period of westward expansion, culminating in the Sioux uprising of 1862. Following that failed rebellion, the tribe was relocated to the Dakotas and Nebraska. A large number of Sioux would also be involved in 1876's battle of Little Bighorn, with resistance continuing periodically until the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890.
The Ho-Chunk, or Winnebago, originally occupied land in Illinois and Wisconsin. They allied with the British during both the American Revolution and the War of 1812, but signed a treaty with the American government in 1816. In 1829 the tribe sold a significant amount of their land in Illinois, which was wanted for lead mining. Following the Black Hawk War of 1832, the tribe surrendered their remaining land in Illinois. Throughout the century the tribe would be relocated to Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. Today the tribe can be found primarily in Nebraska and Wisconsin.
The Shawnees' origins go back to what are now Ohio and Pennsylvania. However, in the 1660s they were defeated by the Iroquis and forced to relocate to Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and South Carolina. The primary settlement in Illinois was known as Shawneetown. The tribe eventually returned to Ohio and Pennsylvania, only the be pushed out by American settlers. The tribe moved from Missouri to Kansas and eventually settled in Oklahoma.
Primarily located in what are now Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky, the Chickasaw's hunting and trading territory extended into southern Illinois. As part of the Trail of Tears, or the Great Removal, the Chickasaw were forced from their land in 1837. The tribe settled in Oklahoma and joined on the side of the Confederacy during the Civil War. The tribe made peace with the United States following the Civil War and continues to be centered in Oklahoma.
During the 1600s the Miami tribe lived across Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. During the 1700s, the tribe moved to Ohio's Maumee Valley and consolidated power. Allies of the French during the French and Indian War, the Miami moved back to Indiana following their defeat. The Miami supported the British during the American Revolution and continued to fight against the United States until 1794, when they were defeated by General Anthony Wayne. As a result, the Miami were forced to give over their remaining land in Ohio. The tribe was then moved to Indiana, with part of the tribe again relocated to Kansas in the 1850s.