The American Nations, Vol. I. / Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America

by C. S. Rafinesque

20. Shall we be free and happy there? at the new Wapahani (western white river). We want rest, and peace, and wisdom.

Such is one of the accounts of the transactions between this people and the English, United States &c; of which Loskiel, Holm and Hekewelder have furnished other fragments, and for which we have ample materials in the colonial history and late records. But this offers some new views and facts: which shall be partly compared and discussed in the notes; but more properly [pg 145] examined and united in accordance with other narratives, in the history of the North American nations and tribes. The 11 kings in about 220 years named in this fragment, indicate 107 altogether till 1820 and later.

That so many generations and names can be recollected, may appear doubtful to some; but when symbolic signs and paintings, with poetical songs, are added, the memory can well retain and perpetuate their connection. Even in Polynesia, where we are not told of symbols, but mere historical songs, they reach to the creation and flood; Ellis and Tierman tell us that the kings and priests of Tahiti, Ulieta or Raiaka, Hawahi, Mowi &c. could repeat the names of ancestors and kings for 100 generations. It would have been well if instead of giving us mere fragments of the songs and names, they had translated the whole, and thus furnished the connected annals of Polynesia.

In the Linapi annals, we find not merely their own deeds; but the mention of many other nations, friends, allies or foes, as in Cusick's Traditions of the Ongwis: and this forms another clue for American history. As early as the Asiatic period we find them united to the related people Owini and Nijini, before the flood, and calling their foes Powako (rich snake), Makowini (bad being,) Maskanako (strong snake), similar to the satanic tribes of the Hebrews &c.[60]

At the flood they are saved with the Tulapin turtlemen, and begin to call themselves Linapewi. Soon after they separate, go north and divide into tribes, named after the winds, the mode of life and animals. The hunters are Elowi Elohim of the orientals, or Heros and Hercules; they again meet snakemen, who fly to America and must have produced there many nations.

After having filled the north, and after the breaking of the land, at Behring strait, part of the nation resolve to follow and pursue the snakes to the east. The passage by the Olinis over the hard sea or ice, is beautifully sung in a peculiar hymn (see last note); they settle at Shinaki, and begin again to war on snakemen: after which the beaver men or Tamakwi separate going east where they became the Dinni nations, yet called beaver tribes, who ascribe their origin to a beaver and a dog, and call their ancestor Chapewi, similar to Apiwi, the manly in Linapi.

Meantime the main tribe going south meets other nations which it is difficult to identify, as the names are mere epithets and nicknames, yet the Assinipi or stony men, appear to be the Dacota or Sioux yet called Assini or stony by the tribes of Linapi origin. They reappear afterwards as Maskan-sini or Sinako, and appear to have passed to America soon after the Linapi. They are certainly of Asiatic origin, as the [pg 147] languages prove, and very akin to the Hurons or Ongwis in America.

The Akowini are met again, which appear to have become the ancestors of the Cowetas and many Florida tribes. The Lowanuski were either the Uskis or the Skeres. The Towakon were not the Ottawas; but probably the Ozages or their ancestors the Wakons.[61]

At last they meet the civilized Talegas, who are not called snakes, but rather extolled, and from whom they borrowed many things: their symbol is very different from that of the snakes. They were probably of eastern or atlantic origin, akin to the Tols, Talascas, and Telicos the ancient Cherokis. The Talamatan become allies, were the Hurons, the name means both unlike the Talegas and killer of the Talas.—See Cusick, and my Huron Traditions for their own annals.

The separations of the Nentegos and Shawanis, Mohigans, and Wapanends or Abenakis, are distinctly given; they filled the sea shores from Florida to Acadia. Three tribes of snakes reappear which are similar to the former, except the Lowako probably the same as Lowanuski. After crossing the Alleghanies Tamenend II. reunites all the tribes. The Hiliniki and Conowiki easily identified remain west of the mountains. The Iroquois and Eries appear under peculiar Linapi names.