The Wendat Confederacy history begins in Wendake ehen, now known as Ontario, Canada and at its inception consisted of four allied nations, including the Attinniaoenten (Bear), Atingeennonniahak (the Cord Makers), Arendaenronnon (The People of the Lying Rock), Atahontaenrat (the people of the two white ears or Deer) and Ataronchronon (Bog or marsh/swamp). However, the last group Ataronchronon, may have been a division of the Attinniaoenten (Bear Nation) since they may have not attained full membership..
They were attacked by the Haudenosaunee, and their colonial supporters due to the Beaver Wars/Fur Trade alliances and reduced in great numbers by the diseases brought by Europeans to the People. Dispersed from their homelands, they merged with the Petun, or Tionontati, Attawandaron and as well as the Wenrohronon and the Eriechronon. They travelled west, to Michilimackinac, then through the straits into the Detroit area in 1701 by invitation from Cadillac. Settling in Detroit, they later developed a town called Wyandotte, Michigan and re-emerged as the Wyandot or The Huron – Wyandott in
Southwestern Ontario, or the Hurons of Detroit.
Leaving those Wyandot who wished to remain in Michigan, our families went on to Ohio in 1723 and settled in the Upper Sandusky area. Through all the broken treaties Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act of May 28, 1830, our People knew they would never be allowed to remain in Ohio and were talked into selling their land to the United States government for a promise of 148,000 acres, in what is now known as the area of Westport in Kansas City, Missouri. Weeping as they left their homes and buried loved ones they traveled from Upper Sandusky to Cincinnati, Ohio where they boarded two steamboats, the Republic and the Nodaway. From the Ohio to the Mississippi River, on to St Louis; arriving at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers in July, 1843.
Upon their arrival and dismayed at not finding the lands as promised to them by the 1842 treaty with the United States government, there was nowhere for them to go. Most camped along the banks of the river and that first year more than 100 souls died from exposure and disease. In December 1843 they purchased 36 sections of land from the Delaware People, at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. The Delaware also gave them an additional three sections, as the Wyandot had helped them while they were in Ohio. Looking for the highest ground to bury their dead, the Huron Place (Cemetery) was established. Later the beloved cemetery was renamed the Wyandotte National Burying Ground.
Two towns were formed, Wyandott City and in 1856 Quindaro. Once again, they were living in a war zone, between Bloody Kansas and the Civil War. The land given to them was already targeted for land speculation, development and the railroads.
An 1855 treaty served to take away tribal status, inflate taxes until the families were evicted from their property and to diminish tribal identity, although they protested that they never gave up their tribal identity, they continued to retain their heritage.
Since the 1800’s the Wyandot have become successful community leaders and contributed to the growth, development and stability of their communities. The People of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas have maintained an uninterrupted presence in the state of Kansas since 1843. The modern tribe consists of the lineal descendants of our brave Ancestors. They are a very active and dynamic community that lives to preserve our traditions and culture, and teach and share our history.
The Wyandot heritage in our area is reflected in the Wyandotte County name. Look around and you will find most streets carry Wyandot names and our historic cemetery which is still located at 7th and Minnesota, in downtown Kansas City, Kansas. As Resilient People, we proudly call Kansas Our Home.