Miami Language


 

Region:

The Miami (Miami-Illinois: Myaamiaki) are a Native American nation originally speaking one of the Algonquian languages.

Among the peoples known as the Great Lakes tribes, they occupied territory that is now identified as North-central Indiana, southwest Michigan, and western Ohio.

The Miami were historically made up of several prominent subgroups, including the Piankeshaw, Wea, Pepikokia, Kilatika, Mengakonkia, and Atchakangouen. In modern times, Miami is used more specifically to refer to the Atchakangouen.

By 1846, most of the Miami had been forcefully displaced to Indian Territory (initially to what is now Kansas, and later to what is now part of Oklahoma).

The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma are the federally recognized tribe of Miami Indians in the United States.

The Miami Nation of Indiana, is a nonprofit organization of descendants of Miamis who were exempted from removal, and have unsuccessfully sought separate recognition.

Alternate names: Miami-Illinois, Miami-Myaamia, Illinois

Dialects: Miami, Peoria.

Classification: Algic -> Algonquian -> Central Algonquian -> Miami

Population: Fluent language speakers extinct before 1996. Ethnic population: 2,000 (1977 SIL).

Language use: There are some who know a few words and phrases.

Language Development: A revitalization program is in progress.

Famous Miami Indians