American Indian Heritage Day

The Last Friday in September is American Indian Heritage Day.  This is a day to recognize and celebrate the Native American tribes who contributed to the myths, legends and culture of Texas.  Texas even takes its name from the Caddo word for friend, which is why Texas is sometimes called the Friendship State.  The Caddo were an advanced tribe that settled along the Red River.  They were skilled hunters, traders and artisans, they also practice advance agriculture.  The Caddo could also be fierce warriors.  The Caddo had complex political and social structure and in the 17th and 18th Century they facilitated the movement of goods and information between the Europeans and other native american tribes.  Unfortunately the Caddo, like many other native peoples, would fall victim to European diseases, and an estimated 95% if the population would die from cholera and smallpox between 1691 and 1816.

The Lipan and Mescalero Apache are a second group of important Native Americans that called Texas home.  These nomadic hunters and traders ranged across South Texas, the Rio Grande Valley all the way to the pan handle.  The Apache often allied themselves with the Spanish who offered some protection from the Comanche.  Some Apache tried to settle in the Spanish Missions to protect themselves from enemies, however the labor demands of agriculture and the Spanish Friars trying to make them into "Good Catholics" wore on the Apache and they eventually returned to their old way of life.

The Comanche ranged from central Texas all the way through the Great Plains till they hit the mountains in the west.  They are perhaps one of the greatest mounted warriors of all time, capable of riding great distances in a short period of time and launching powerful hit and run attacks all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.  It will not be until after the Civil War that the United States will bring Comanche territory under its control.