Yatasi
Encyclopedia
The Yatasi are a Native American people from northwestern Louisiana
that are part of the Natchitoches Confederacy of the Caddo Nation. Today they are enrolled in the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.
In 1686, French explorer Henry de Tonti visited Yatasi settlements on the Red River. They welcomed the French expedition but did not provide him with guides. At the time, the Yatasi were fighting the Kadohadacho.
In the early 18th century, the Chickasaw
tribe fought with Yatasi and killed a great number of them. With their numbers reduced, they joined the Ouachita
, Doustioni, and Natchitoches Indians at the Natchitoches trading depot.
During this time the Yatasi traded with the French, the later the Spanish. The Yatasi provided bear fat and buffalo and deer hides for cloth, blankets, metal tools and weapons, combs, glass beads, flints, ammunition, vermillion dye, mirrors, and copper.
On 21 April 1770, French-born Indian agent of Spanish Louisiana, Athanase De Mézières y Clugny (c. 1715–1779) presented the Yatasi chief with a medal and presents from the King of Spain. That day the Kadohadacho and Yatasi both agreed to allow Spain proprietorship of their lands and promised not to supply the Comanche
, Wichita
, Tawakoni, and Kichai tribes with weapons or ammunition.
After the United States took over control of Louisiana, Dr. John Sibley became the Indian agent who oversaw relations with the Yatasi and neighboring tribes. They continued participating in the fur trade
, providing bear, deer, beaver, otter, and other furs.
.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
that are part of the Natchitoches Confederacy of the Caddo Nation. Today they are enrolled in the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.
History
Prior to European contact, the Yatasi lived in the area south of modern Shreveport.In 1686, French explorer Henry de Tonti visited Yatasi settlements on the Red River. They welcomed the French expedition but did not provide him with guides. At the time, the Yatasi were fighting the Kadohadacho.
In the early 18th century, the Chickasaw
Chickasaw
The Chickasaw are Native American people originally from the region that would become the Southeastern United States...
tribe fought with Yatasi and killed a great number of them. With their numbers reduced, they joined the Ouachita
Ouachita
Ouachita may refer to:In geography:* Ouachita Mountains* Ouachita orogeny the geologic event that raised the Ouachita Mountains* Ouachita River* Ouachita Parish, Louisiana* Ouachita County, Arkansas* Ouachita National Forest...
, Doustioni, and Natchitoches Indians at the Natchitoches trading depot.
During this time the Yatasi traded with the French, the later the Spanish. The Yatasi provided bear fat and buffalo and deer hides for cloth, blankets, metal tools and weapons, combs, glass beads, flints, ammunition, vermillion dye, mirrors, and copper.
On 21 April 1770, French-born Indian agent of Spanish Louisiana, Athanase De Mézières y Clugny (c. 1715–1779) presented the Yatasi chief with a medal and presents from the King of Spain. That day the Kadohadacho and Yatasi both agreed to allow Spain proprietorship of their lands and promised not to supply the Comanche
Comanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
, Wichita
Wichita (tribe)
The Wichita people are indigenous inhabitants of North America, who traditionally spoke the Wichita language, a Caddoan language. They have lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas...
, Tawakoni, and Kichai tribes with weapons or ammunition.
After the United States took over control of Louisiana, Dr. John Sibley became the Indian agent who oversaw relations with the Yatasi and neighboring tribes. They continued participating in the fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
, providing bear, deer, beaver, otter, and other furs.
Language
The Yatasi spoke a Caddoan language and were culturally similar to surrounding groups such as the AdaiAdai
Adai is the name of a Native American people of northwestern Louisiana with a Southeastern culture...
.