Oklahoma, a state rich in history and diverse cultural heritage, holds a unique position in the story of Native American tribes in the United States. Formerly known as Indian Territory, Oklahoma became a designated area for the forced relocation of numerous tribes during the 19th century. This resulted in a complex tapestry of tribal nations residing within its borders, each with its own distinct history, traditions, and governmental structures. This article delves into the history of the Oklahoma Indian Reservations, examining the treaties, agreements, and historical events that shaped their establishment and evolution. The history of Oklahoma Indian Reservations is long and complex.
It’s important to note that the term "reservation" can be somewhat misleading in the context of Oklahoma. While the state does not have reservations in the same sense as some other states (where reservations are federally protected lands under tribal control), the historical areas designated for various tribes retain significance. These areas are often characterized by tribal jurisdictional boundaries, trust lands, and areas where tribal governments exercise varying degrees of authority. This article aims to provide an informative overview of these historically significant areas.
Cherokee Reservation
- Tribes: Cherokee
- Acres: 877,229
- Established By: The Cherokee Nation, one of the "Five Civilized Tribes," boasts a rich history marked by both resilience and tragedy. Their presence in Oklahoma Indian Reservations is rooted in treaties signed in 1833, 1835, and 1866. These treaties, along with subsequent agreements ratified by acts of Congress in 1893 and 1902, defined the boundaries of their territory. However, a significant turning point came with the allotment of lands, a policy that aimed to divide communal tribal lands into individual parcels. This fundamentally altered the landscape of the Cherokee Nation, leading to the loss of tribal control over significant portions of their territory. The Cherokee Nation continues to be a vital part of Oklahoma.
Cheyenne and Arapaho Reservation
- Tribes: Southern Arapaho, and Northern and Southern Cheyenne
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes share a intertwined history marked by conflict and displacement. Established initially through an Executive Order in 1869, their reservation was further defined by subsequent executive orders and agreements. A pivotal moment occurred with the agreement confirmed in the Indian Appropriation Act of 1891, which led to the allotment of over 529,000 acres to tribal members. Additionally, significant portions of their land were designated for Oklahoma school lands, military reserves, and other purposes. The remaining vast acreage, totaling over 3.5 million acres, was opened to settlement by Presidential Proclamation in 1892, drastically reducing the tribal land base. This history reflects the complex and often detrimental impact of federal policies on Native American tribes.
Chickasaw Reservation
- Tribes: Chickasaw
- Acres: 1,690,964
- Established By: Like the Cherokee, the Chickasaw Nation is one of the Five Civilized Tribes. Their presence in Oklahoma stems from the Treaty of 1855, which established their territory. Subsequent agreements ratified by acts of Congress in 1898, 1902, 1904 further shaped their land holdings. The Chickasaw Nation faced the challenges of allotment, with lands undergoing the process of division into individual parcels. Despite these challenges, the Chickasaw Nation maintains a strong presence in Oklahoma, actively working to preserve its cultural heritage and exercise its sovereign rights.
Choctaw Reservation
- Tribes: Choctaw
- Acres: 3,505,766
- Established By: The Choctaw Nation, another member of the Five Civilized Tribes, shares a similar historical trajectory with the Chickasaw. Their territory in Oklahoma was established through the Treaty of 1855 and further defined by agreements ratified by acts of Congress in 1898, 1902, and 1904. The Choctaw Nation also experienced the impact of allotment, with their lands undergoing division. Today, the Choctaw Nation is one of the largest tribes in Oklahoma, actively engaged in economic development, cultural preservation, and providing services to its members.
Creek (Muscogee) Reservation
- Tribes: Creek, Tonkawa
- Acres: 626,044
- Established By: The Creek Nation, also known as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, has a history deeply intertwined with Oklahoma. Treaties signed in 1833 and 1866, along with subsequent agreements and Presidential Proclamations, established their territory. The Creek Nation experienced the challenges of allotment, with their lands undergoing division into individual parcels. The Creek Nation continues to thrive in Oklahoma.
Iowa Reservation
- Tribes: Iowa, Tonkawa
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Iowa Tribe’s presence in Oklahoma stems from an Executive Order in 1883 and an agreement ratified by an act of Congress in 1891. This led to the allotment of over 8,600 acres to tribal members, while a small portion was held in common for church, school, and other purposes. The remaining land was opened to settlement by Presidential Proclamation in 1891, significantly impacting the Iowa Tribe’s land base.
Kansa (Kaw) Reservation
- Tribes: Kansa, or Kaw
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Kansa, or Kaw, Tribe’s presence in Oklahoma is rooted in an act of Congress in 1872. This led to the reservation of 260 acres for cemetery, school, and townsite purposes. The remaining land, nearly 100,000 acres, was allotted to tribal members.
Kickapoo Reservation
- Tribes: Mexican Kickapoo
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Kickapoo Tribe’s presence in Oklahoma stems from an Executive Order in 1883 and an agreement ratified by an act of Congress in 1893. This led to the allotment of over 22,500 acres to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for mission, agency, and school purposes. The remaining land was opened to settlement by Presidential Proclamation in 1895, impacting the Kickapoo Tribe’s land base.
Kiowa and Comanche Reservation
- Tribes: Apache, Comanche, Kiowa
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache tribes share a complex history in Oklahoma. A treaty in 1867 and an agreement ratified by an act of Congress in 1900 defined their territory. The cession of land encompassed nearly 2.5 million acres, with a portion allotted to tribal members and a small area reserved for agency, school, religious, and other purposes. The remaining vast acreage was opened to settlement through a series of Presidential Proclamations, drastically altering the tribal land base.
Modoc Reservation
- Tribes: Modoc
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Modoc Tribe’s presence in Oklahoma is linked to an agreement with the Eastern Shawnee in 1874, confirmed by Congress in 1875. The lands were entirely allotted, with a small portion reserved for church and cemetery purposes, as well as school and timber.
Oakland Reservation (Tonkawa)
- Tribes: Tonkawa, Lipan
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Tonkawa Tribe’s reservation was established through an act of Congress in 1878 and further defined by deeds from the Cherokee and Nez Perce. This led to the allotment of over 11,000 acres to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for Government and school purposes. The remaining land was opened to settlement.
Osage Reservation
- Tribes: Great and Little Osage, Quapaw
- Acres: 1,470,058
- Established By: The Osage Nation’s territory in Oklahoma is rooted in the Cherokee treaty of 1866, an order from the Secretary of the Interior in 1871, and an act of Congress in 1872. A deed from the Cherokee further solidified their land holdings. The Oklahoma Indian Reservations are very important to understand for historical context.
Oto Reservation
- Tribes: Oto, Missouri
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Oto-Missouri Tribe’s presence in Oklahoma stems from an act of Congress in 1881, an order from the Secretary of the Interior, and a Cherokee deed. This led to the allotment of over 127,000 acres to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for agency, school, church, and cemetery purposes, as well as tribal uses.
Ottawa Reservation
- Tribes: Ottawa of Blanchards Forks and Roche de Boeuf
- Acres: 1,587
- Established By: The Ottawa Tribe’s reservation was established through a treaty in 1867. This led to the allotment of over 12,700 acres to tribal members, with a portion authorized for sale. The remaining acreage, approximately 1,587 acres, remains unallotted.
Pawnee Reservation
- Tribes: Pawnee
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Pawnee Tribe’s presence in Oklahoma is linked to an act of Congress in 1876. This included lands obtained from the Cherokee and Creek. Over 112,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for school, agency, and cemetery purposes. The remaining land was opened to settlement.
Peoria Reservation
- Tribes: Kaskaskia, Miami, Peoria, Piankashaw, Wea
- Acres: Varies due to land disposal
- Established By: The Peoria Tribe’s reservation was established through a treaty in 1867. This led to the allotment of over 43,000 acres to tribal members. The remaining land was sold.
Ponca Reservation
- Tribes: Ponca
- Acres: 320
- Established By: The Ponca Tribe’s presence in Oklahoma stems from a series of acts of Congress and a deed from the Cherokee. Over 101,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for agency, school, mission, and cemetery purposes. A small portion remains unallotted and unreserved.
Potawatomi Reservation
- Tribes: Absentee Shawnee, Potawatomi
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Potawatomi and Absentee Shawnee tribes share a reservation established through a treaty in 1867 and agreements ratified by an act of Congress in 1891. This included Creek ceded lands and Seminole lands. Over 215,000 acres were allotted to Potawatomi members and over 70,000 acres to Absentee Shawnee members. A small portion was reserved for Government purposes, and the remaining land was opened to settlement.
Quapaw Reservation
- Tribes: Quapaw
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Quapaw Tribe’s reservation was established through treaties in 1833 and 1867. Over 56,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for school and church purposes.
Sac and Fox Reservation
- Tribes: Ottawa, Sauk and Foxes of the Mississippi
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Sac and Fox Tribe’s reservation was established through a treaty in 1867 and an agreement ratified by an act of Congress in 1891. Over 87,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for school and agency purposes. The remaining land was opened to settlement.
Seminole Reservation
- Tribes: Seminole
- Acres: 21,374
- Established By: The Seminole Nation’s territory in Oklahoma is rooted in a treaty in 1866, a Creek agreement, and subsequent agreements ratified by acts of Congress.
Seneca Reservation
- Tribes: Seneca
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Seneca Tribe’s reservation was established through treaties in 1831, 1832, and 1867. Over 25,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for Government, church, and school purposes.
Shawnee Reservation
- Tribes: Seneca, Eastern Shawnee
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Shawnee Tribe’s reservation was established through treaties in 1831, 1832, and 1867, and an agreement with the Modoc. Over 10,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for agency purposes. The remaining land was sold.
Wichita Reservation
- Tribes: Caddo, Delawares, Ioni (Hainai) Kichal, Towakoni, Wasco, Wichita
- Acres: Varies due to allotment and land disposal
- Established By: The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes’ reservation was established through a treaty with the Delawares in 1866 and an agreement ratified by an act of Congress in 1895. Over 152,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for agency, school, religious, and other purposes. The remaining land was opened to settlement.
Unoccupied Chickasaw and Choctaw Leased Lands (Wichita)
- Tribes: Caddo, Delawares, Ioni (Hainai) Kichal, Towakoni, Wasco, Wichita
- Acres: 1,511,576
- Established By: Established by the Act of May 4, 1896.
Wyandot Reservation
- Tribes: Wyandot
- Acres: 535
- Established By: The Wyandot Tribe’s reservation was established through a treaty in 1867. Over 20,000 acres were allotted to tribal members, with a small portion reserved for churches, etc. A small portion remains unallotted.
The history of Oklahoma Indian Reservations is a testament to the resilience and determination of Native American tribes in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges of forced relocation, allotment, and assimilation policies, these tribes have persevered, maintaining their cultural identities, exercising their sovereign rights, and contributing to the rich tapestry of Oklahoma’s heritage.