Native American Tribes and Slavery: Historical Controversies and Legacies

The historical relationship between Native American tribes and the practice of slavery is often misunderstood and underreported. This article aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of slaverywithin various Native American territories prior to the 1850s, focusing on the Five Civilized Tribes and other notable tribes.

Slavery Among the Five Civilized Tribes

Before delving into specific tribes, it's important to understand that the practice of slavery was not unique to European colonizers; some Native American tribes also engaged in the act of enslaving others. The Five Civilized Tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole, were known to have held slaves, much like their Southern neighbors who also practiced slavery. This was not merely a Southern phenomenon, as some Native American tribes had significant connections to and interactions with the Southern states in the antebellum period.

Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Creek Tribes

By the 1860s, the extent of slave ownership within these tribes was substantial. As depicted in the 1860 census, the Cherokee Nation citizens owned 2,511 slaves, comprising 15% of their total population. The Choctaw citizens owned 2,349 slaves, equating to 14% of their total population. The Creek citizens, on the other hand, owned 1,532 slaves, making up 10% of their population. The Chickasaw citizens owned 975 slaves, representing 18% of their total population. This proportion is strikingly similar to that of white slave owners in Tennessee, a state that was a major slaveholding area.

Seminole Tribe

The Seminole tribe also held slaves, and in the process, created a complex post-slavery legacy. The descendants of these Seminole slaves still maintain a multifaceted relationship with the tribe. These descendants, often referred to as the Black Seminoles, have faced unique challenges and have often sought recognition and support from both within and outside the tribal community.

Other Tribes and Enslavement Practices

The Plains tribes, in particular, are notorious for their practice of enslaving captives. The Comanche tribe, known for their fierce nomadic lifestyle, was particularly well-known for their enslavement practices. Other tribes, such as those in the Northwest Coast, also engaged in the practice of enslaving individuals, often through war captives. However, the Southern and Northeastern tribes, for the most part, did not practice slavery.

Indigenous Traditions of Enslavement

It's also important to recognize that not all Native American tribes had a tradition of enslaving others. Some tribes had indigenous systems of indentured servitude or structured systems of subjugation, but these should not be conflated with slavery as fully understood in the colonial and antebellum periods.

Conclusion

The histories of Native American tribes and their relationship with the practice of slavery are diverse and complex. While some tribes, like the Five Civilized Tribes, engaged in the practice of owning slaves, others did not. The legacy of these practices continues to influence contemporary tribal members and communities. Future research and ongoing dialogues should aim to further explore these intertwined histories and the lasting impacts on Native American societies.