The Sac & Fox Nation, a prominent and historically significant Native American tribe, stands as the largest of the three federally recognized tribes descended from the Sauk and Meskwaki (Fox) peoples. While the other two tribes reside in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, the Sac & Fox Nation is primarily located in Oklahoma, with its members predominantly of Sauk heritage. The Nation’s tribal headquarters, known as Thakiwa, are situated in Stroud, Oklahoma, solidifying its identity as the Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma.
This article delves into the rich history, cultural nuances, and contemporary realities of the Sac & Fox Nation, exploring their origins, traditions, governance, and ongoing efforts to preserve their heritage.
Identity and Nomenclature: Unraveling the Names
Understanding the Sac & Fox Nation requires navigating a complex web of names, each carrying historical and cultural significance. The Fox, for instance, traditionally refer to themselves as Osakiwug or Asakiwaki, meaning "people of the outlet." This designation points to their ancestral homeland near Michigan’s Saginaw Bay, a body of water whose name itself is derived from the Sauk, signifying "place of the Sauk." The term "people of the yellow earth" is often a misinterpretation of their true name.
The Sauk, on the other hand, call themselves Meshkwakihug, Thakiwaki, or Sa ki wa ki, all variations that translate to "red earth people." This name is sometimes mistakenly interpreted as "people coming forth from the water."
The term "Fox," applied to the entire tribe, originated from the French, who borrowed it from the name of one particular clan, the Wagosh, meaning "Red Fox."
Throughout history, the tribe has been known by various alternate names, including the Sac & Fox Tribe of Oklahoma, Meskwaki (referring to the Fox and often used to describe the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa), Sa ki wa ki (again, referencing the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma), and Ne ma ha ha ki (used to identify the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska).
Different spellings of the tribal names also exist. The Fox have been referred to as Mesquakie (with variations like Meshkwahkihaki, Meskwaki, Meskwakihuk, and Meskwakihugi), while the Sauk maintain relatively consistent spelling.
Furthermore, various languages have different names for the Fox and Sauk. The Fox, for example, are known as Renard (French), Asakiwaki (Sauk), Outagamie or Odugameeg (Ojibwe), Beshdeke (Dakota), Skenchioe (Iroquois), Skaxshurunu (Wyandot), Skenchiohronon (Huron), Mshkwa’kitha (Shawnee), Squawkies (British), Tochewahcoo (Arikara), Wacereke (Winnebago), and Wakusheg (Potawatomi). The Sauk are identified as Hotinestakon (Onondaga), Osaugee (Ojibwe), Quatokeronon (Huron), Satoeronnon (Huron), Zake (Dakota), and Zagi (Winnebago).
Historical Trajectory: From the Great Lakes to Oklahoma
The Sac & Fox Nation traces its roots back to the Great Lakes region, where the Sauk inhabited the upper Michigan peninsula and the Fox occupied the southern shores of Lake Superior. Oral traditions suggest an earlier migration from the Atlantic coast via the St. Lawrence River, although the exact timing remains unclear.
By 1667, when Father Allovez documented the first recorded contact with the tribes, pressure from the Iroquois and French on the Sauk, and from the Chippewa on the Fox, had pushed both groups towards present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The 18th century witnessed French attacks, instigated by other Indian tribes, leading to a stronger alliance and eventual confederation between the Sac and Fox. Forced southward, they clashed with and displaced the Illinois Tribe from lands along the Mississippi River in what is now Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
These historical events led to the distinction between the "Sac and Fox of the Mississippi," those who remained near the river, and the "Sac and Fox of the Missouri," a larger group that settled further south along the Missouri River.
Demographics and Governance: A Nation Today
Today, the Sac & Fox Nation has a registered population of 3,794 enrolled tribal members, with 2,557 residing in Oklahoma. Tribal membership requires a minimum blood quantum of 1/8.
The Nation’s government operates under a constitution and is led by a governing body, whose specific structure and functions are not detailed in the provided information.
Language and Culture: Preserving Heritage
The Sac and Fox tribes have always been closely allied and speak very similar Algonquian languages, which are sometimes considered two dialects of the same language. Efforts are underway to preserve and revitalize these languages, although the number of fluent speakers remains a challenge.
Traditional Sac and Fox society was organized around patrilineal clans, including Bear, Beaver, Deer, Fish, Fox, Ocean, Potato, Snow, Thunder, and Wolf. These clans played a significant role in social structure, kinship, and identity.
Subsistence and Way of Life: Adapting to the Land
Historically, the Sac and Fox were semi-sedentary farmers, establishing fixed villages and cultivating maize, beans, squash, and tobacco. They also relied heavily on fishing, hunting small game and buffalo, and harvesting wild rice. Travel was facilitated by dugout and birch-bark canoes. In warmer months they would reside in bark houses within small villages, in the winter they would reside in oval flag-reed lodges in large villages.
Religion and spiritual beliefs were deeply ingrained in their lives, with the Grand Medicine Society playing an important role in social and religious organization.
Historical Conflicts and Treaties: A Legacy of Displacement
The history of the Sac & Fox Nation is marked by conflict and displacement. The 1804 treaty signed in St. Louis, ceding Sac and Fox lands east of the Mississippi River, ignited resentment and division within the tribe.
Government efforts to enforce this treaty led to the rise of Black Hawk, a warrior who vehemently opposed the land surrender and led his "British Band" in a revolt known as Black Hawk’s War. Despite his bravery, Black Hawk was eventually defeated and captured, leading to the end of Sac and Fox power on the frontier with the 1832 treaty of Ft. Armstrong.
Subsequent removals forced the Sac and Fox to Iowa in 1833, then to the Osage River Reservation in Kansas for 23 years, and finally to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1869.
Notable Figures: Leaders and Achievers
The Sac & Fox Nation has produced many notable figures throughout history, including chiefs Poweshiek, Kaokuk, Black Hawk, and Wapello. These leaders navigated complex political landscapes and led their people through times of great upheaval.
Jim Thorpe, a renowned athlete of Sauk and Potawatomi descent, stands as a testament to the tribe’s athletic prowess. Thorpe won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, solidifying his place in sporting history.
Conclusion: A Resilient Nation
Despite facing numerous challenges, the Sac & Fox Nation has demonstrated remarkable resilience in preserving its culture, language, and identity. Today, the Nation continues to strive for self-determination, economic development, and the well-being of its members, ensuring that the legacy of the Sauk and Fox endures for generations to come.